How Are You Hearing?

"We can't live by the Word if we can't hear by it."

During a recent community worship service commemorating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I had a moment of great insight. (Since this blog's purpose is to provide insight into the worshipper's lifestyle, I have to tell you that one of my steady requests of the Father is that I may receive fresh insight into His Word. Sometimes we get so familiar with scripture that we overlook great truths all because "we've heard that before.") One of the program's participants quoted Romans 10:17, which says, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Yes, a very familiar passage of scripture that most Christians, particular those in tried and true Word-based, faith teaching ministies, hear quite often. However, my understanding of this scripture was elevated to a whole new level on that night.

As I sat there, the Holy Spirit ministered to me that the Word of GOD is THE ONLY instrument by which we are to hear as people of faith. GOD's Word has been specifically designed for this purpose, just as a stethoscope was created for the express purpose of detecting and hearing a heartbeat. The faith we need to daily operate as Kingdom citizens can only come as we hear by the Word of GOD...not by our thoughts, not by our emotions, but by the Word of GOD. Not hearing by our situations, not hearing by our friends and family, but hearing by the Word of GOD. It's now my aim to not just hear the Word, but to constantly use the Word as my hearing instrument of choice.

The latter portion of Deutoronomy 8:3 reads, "man shall not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live." I realize even more so now that my very life depends on my ability to hear by the Word. It is GOD's proceeding word concerning life's situations that send faith our way. When we hear by the Word, faith then becomes "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrew 11:1). You see, it's clear now: "Hearing by the Word" is the missing link between "hearing the Word" and "living by the Word". Simply put, we can't live by the Word if we can't hear by it.

I pray that as you're reading this that you are encouraged to allow the Holy Spirit to lead you through this powerful transformation, as well: To (1) HEAR the Word, (2) HEAR BY the Word, and (3) LIVE BY the Word. This is the life faith that pleases GOD and produces results. So how are you hearing?