hatchcreek.com Bible blog

In recent lessons we learned that God gives us help in our thought lives and cares about what we say. God also is very concerned about what we do.These three things are connected. Have you ever stopped to realize what we think about usually ends up coming out in our speech, and later leads to our actions? Here is one example:

An action starts in our minds. For instance, we think we’d like a new car. We start dwelling on that and pretty soon come up with all kinds of reasons why we need one. Finally, after thinking about it a couple of days we might just mention it to our spouse. Then we both dream about having a bright shinny new car. We talk it over and eventually stop by the car dealer to just look around. The salesman gets us to sign a contract and we have a new car.

This is the way God has made us and how we work. It is not necessarily bad but can be detrimental if our thoughts, speech and actions do not line up with the Word and will of God.

Here is another example which is not good. You and your spouse have an argument. Finally, one of you says, “Oh, let’s just get a divorce.” Whoops! That should not have been said out loud even if one of you thought it. What happens next is that thought of divorce is entertained by both of you. Eventually it comes out in speech again and seems like a real possibility when it never had before. You wind up in divorce court. This example is where our thoughts, speech and actions work against us and God’s will for us. We need to be careful of how we think, speak and act.

Here is a good verse that tells us how God wants us to act.

But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. (James 1:22 NASB)

People who merely hear the Word and think they are saved are actually kidding themselves. This kind of person might go to church every Sunday and even be involved with the inner workings of the church. They might look like a Christian on Sunday, but the rest of the week you can’t tell them from anyone else. Their actions and speech do not measure up. We must prove ourselves as we continue to do the Word of God.

The best way I know of being a doer of the Word is to have a daily personal Bible study where pray, read the Word and actually take time to think about what it says and how it applies to you. The Holy Spirit will guide you if you ask Him. If we actually obey what God tells us in the Bible, then we will be doers of the Word.

As a Christian we are new creations in Christ. We need to manifest the attributes of Christ in our lives through the power of the Holy Spirit working in us. It is important to know we can not do anything on our own. We need to pray and ask for His help.

We are to put off the old and put on the new. Here are a few scriptures that help us see how God wants us to act.

But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. (Colossians 3:8 NASB)

Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, (Colossians 3:9 NASB)

and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him. Colossians 3:10 NASB)

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:32 NASB)

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; Colossians 3:12 NASB)

bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. (Colossians 3:13 NASB)

Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 0″>(Colossians 3:14 NASB)

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. (Colossians 3:17 NASB)

You can make a list from the above scriptures. On one side of the page write down the negative things mentioned and on the other side write down the positive things mentioned. You can then easily see how you can “put off” certain habits and replace them by “putting on” another better habit.

If you slip and do one of those things God tells us to put off, then go to God in prayer and ask Him to forgive you.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 NASB)

When we do this we will walk with Christ and grow into a mature Christian. Be a doer of the Word!