Internalize God's Word

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth (1 John 3:18).

How many Christians sit in church pews on Sunday morning, agree with everything the pastor says, but make no changes in their life as they exit the doors? They don't internalize God's message to the point that it makes a difference in how they live their lives or how they interact with others. Knowing isn't enough. We've got to put that knowledge into practice. We need to let God's Word change us.

As a former teacher, I was taught Bloom's Taxonomy for higher thinking/learning skills. Knowledge is the first level, comprehension second, and application next. We wanted our students to get to at least the application level. They would soon forget what they'd learned if they didn't go beyond knowledge, and it would do them no good if they didn't understand it. They needed to put it into action in some way. As Thomas Watson wrote in his book, The Art of Divine Contentment, "You may have heard a thousand sermons but not learned one."

James tells us in 1:22 that we are to be doers of the word and not hearers only. We won't grow in the faith unless we study, learn, and apply. There is nothing as important as your spiritual life, and you need to set a good example for your children, the rest of your family and friends, and all those you come into contact with. Our lives should be living testimonies, witnessing to others.

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