2 Timothy 4:3 3 For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine and accurate instruction [that challenges them with God’s truth]; but wanting to have their ears tickled [with something pleasing], they will accumulate for themselves [many] teachers [one after another, chosen] to satisfy their own desires and to support the errors they hold, (AMP)

Are you always being challenged, not being changed?

There are people who go to the gym socially and have no intention of really training to achieve a goal. They go in order to say with pride, “I work out as at the gym for an hour at least three times a week.” The problem is, those who see them don’t see a change in their physique that a person would get from an hour-long workout three times a week.

There are people who attend church who have no intention of pursuing a deeper relationship with the Lord. They follow the same pattern as the one going to the gym. The problem is, you can’t be transformed if you never apply what is being said. It is not enough to only sit and listen.

You can get every inspirational book and CD available. The purchases make it appear as if you are interested in growing. However, do you read the books and listen to the CDs, or do you just want to make yourself “feel” spiritual? You might find a place, church, ministry, etc. where you can get a title and a position based on who you are pretending to be. However, when the time comes, and you are challenged and motivated to grow; do you change, or do you leave?

James 1:22-25 But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth]. 23 For if anyone only listens to the word without obeying it, he is like a man who looks very carefully at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he immediately forgets what he looked like. 25 But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a [careless] listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does [in his life of obedience]. (AMP)

Whatever day you decide that being challenged is not enough, you will allow the Lord’s transformation process to begin. If you are chasing after God, there is a still voice whispering to you, “This is the way, walk therein.” (Isaiah 30:21). Your job is to obey. 

Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:

Father, I thank You for writing the word on my heart. I long to be surrounded by people who are running hard after You. Thank You for keeping me grounded. The small amount I know does not put me in a place where I can coast along until You return. I’ve been in several meetings and trainings that truly challenged me. However, I didn’t always leave those meetings and apply what I had heard, and I did not change. I repent. I am sorry and I will work not to let that happen again. Lord, I want to know You more. You are calling me to a place of spirituality and releasing me from the bondage of religion. Help me stand when I am being stretched. I don’t want to give up because I think it is too hard. I want You to continue to speak to me because I am listening with my heart and obeying…

Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here: