You Can Hear and Still Say No

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. (James 1:21)

You can hear the Word and choose not to receive it. You can sit under strong preaching, underline half your Bible, say amen in all the right places, and still be the same person on Tuesday as on Sunday. Why does this happen? The Word got in your ears, but it never reached your heart. James wrote this to warn believers about something he had witnessed. He told us to receive the engrafted word, which means a word planted deep enough to take root and grow, not one that passed through your ears when the preacher said it and is gone by the time you walk out the door.

Why does James have to tell us to receive it? Because receiving is a choice, and not everyone makes it. You can hear a promise about healing and decide, without ever saying a word out loud, that it is not for you, or not for now. That is you telling God that you refuse to agree with His way of seeing things.Receiving is meekness. A part of receiving is the willingness to admit you needed it. When you could argue but choose not to, you are exhibiting strength.

James says a heart like that is where the Word finally gets to work, planted, rooted, and able to save you. The Word can do so, but it will happen automatically. You must do the first part of designing your life around receiving the Word.

Practical Application

There is a truth you have heard clearly preached, yet you have never let it all the way in. Say it out loud, in plain words, exactly as it is: "I have heard this, and I have not received it." Then stop arguing against it. Today, take God at His word on that one thing, and let Him be right about it before you can prove Him right.

Proverbs 4:20; Proverbs 4:22