Are You a Forgetful Hearer of the Word?

By David J. Stewart
James 1:23-25, For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer,
he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he
beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth
what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law
of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer,
but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
The Bible teaches that the Scriptures are as a mirror that reveal the true
sinful nature of the human heart. Jeremiah 17:9, The heart is deceitful
above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? The
Bible is the greatest psychologist in the world. Hebrews 4:12, For the
word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged
sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and
of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and
intents of the heart. The Bible divides even between soul and spirit,
revealing the intents of the human heart.
James 1:23-25 tell us that the person who hears the Word of God, but fails to
obey those Words is like a man who looks in a mirror to see his true self, but
later forgets when he walks away. This is what most people do today
concerning the Scriptures. Nearly everyone has heard the Bible preached,
but that Word goes in one ear and out the other. Most people practice what's
commonly known as Selective Hearing, that is, they only hear what they
want to hear. The smallest Bible in the world is the one that people live. Oh
that men would fear and serve the Lord always.
I don't know about you, but I want to be a DOER of the Word and not just a
hearer. God is looking for DOERS of His Word.
Jesus said that those who love Him keep His Commandments (John 14:15). I
remember that those who are friends of the Lord obey Him too, because the
numbers turned around are John 15:14. Pretty neat, huh? That's an easy
way to remember these two truths. The genuine test of our love and
friendship toward the Lord is whether or not we obey Him. May we all
purpose in our heart not to be forgetful hearers of the Word. The important
thing is that we DO what we HEAR.
In Luke 8:15-18 Jesus warned all believers to be careful HOW YE HEAR. The
Greek word for how in this Scripture is poce meaning (when used as an
interrogative particle of manner) in what way. The word also

means how much! when used as an exclamation. Jesus is saying that

we ought to be careful in what way we listen to the Scriptures, that is, do we
just casually listen to the Scriptures; or do we intently take the Scriptures to
heart and do our best with the Holy Spirit's help to apply them to our daily
life? How much do we take to heart and genuinely obey?
This is critically important...
Luke 8:15-18, But that on the good ground are they, which in an
honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring
forth fruit with patience. No man, when he hath lighted a candle,
covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on
a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. For
nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither anything
hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. Take heed therefore
HOW YE HEAR: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and
whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he
seemeth to have.
Again, Jesus is saying that we ought to be careful in what way we listen to
the Scriptures, that is, do we just casually listen to the Scriptures; or do we
intently take the Scriptures to heart and do our best with the Holy Spirit's
help to apply them to our daily life? How much do we take to heart and
genuinely obey? I repeated this for emphasis. May we not be forgetful
hearers. This is an amazing passage of Scripture.
I want to hear the Scriptures with a hungry heart to obey.

"In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and
that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2nd
Thessalonians 1:8