In James 1:21 I read, “Get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls." (NLT)
What do God’s voice and cell phones have in common? For both, I have to be positioned correctly to hear them clearly!
Reception quality with my cell phone varies widely. In a big, sturdy building, my coverage may be spotty. In a wilderness area, I’ll likely have no cell service at all. I have to be in the right position to have a clear, reliable signal.
The same is true with my relationship with God. If I want to hear God’s voice clearly and consistently, I must be positioned correctly.
What does it look like to be in the wrong position to hear God? When I’m in the wrong position, my mind is closed, I want to do what I want, not what God wants. In the wrong position, my heart is hardened, and I’m unwilling to listen.
What keeps my heart hard and mind closed to God? Here are three barriers that keep me closed to God’s message:
1. Pride. If I think I don’t need God in my life and I want to handle things myself, I’m probably not listening for God to speak. Pride keeps me from being open to the possibility that God might want to say something to me.
2. Fear. Many people can’t hear God because they’re afraid to hear God speak. I might think that hearing God’s voice or sensing his leading makes me some kind of religious fanatic. Or maybe I’m afraid of the changes I need to make in myr life if I listen to God’s guidance.
3. Bitterness. When I hold on to hurt, resentment, or a grudge, I’m not able to hear God, because my heart is hardened. A hard heart grows cold and makes me defensive, even to God’s love.
James 1:21 says, “Get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls” (NLT).
It’s time to get rid of the bitterness, fear, and pride that keep me from hearing God’s voice and living out his purpose for my life. Then I’ll be able to hear God with an open heart and mind and “humbly accept” what he’s saying to me.
In summary, I need to eliminate all the filth and evil in my life, and humbly accept the word God has planted in my heart. For it has the power to save me. What do God’s voice and cell phones have in common? Both have to be positioned correctly to hear them clearly! Reception quality with my cell phone varies widely. So I have to be in the right position to have a clear, and reliable signal. The same is true with my relationship with God. If I want to hear God’s voice clearly and consistently, I must be positioned correctly. When I’m in the wrong position, my mind is closed, I want to do what I want, not what God wants. My heart is hardened, and I’m unwilling to listen. Three barriers that close off God’s message: Pride, Thinking I don’t need God and I want to handle things myself, and not listening for God to speak. Pride keeps me from being open to the possibility that God might want to say something to me. Fear. I may be afraid to hear God speak. I can be afraid of the changes I need to make in my life if I listen to God’s guidance. Lastly is bitterness. When I hold on to hurt, resentment, or a grudge, I’m not able to hear God, because my heart is hardened. A hard heart grows cold and makes me defensive, So I need to get rid of the bitterness, fear, and pride that keep me from hearing God’s voice and living out his purpose for my life. Then I’ll be able to hear God with an open heart and mind and “humbly accept” what he’s saying to me.
James advises me to get rid of all that is wrong in my life and "humbly accept" the salvation message we have received, because it alone can save me.
Father, thank you for Your Word and Jesus as my savior and example. You want me and I need you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. Help me to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me.
Today, I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, doing well and making a difference in others lives. I pray all these things through your Son Jesus’ name, Amen.
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