Knowing the Bible vs Living the Bible

Most Christians already know far more Scripture than they're putting into practice.

We know we're supposed to forgive. We know we're supposed to trust God. We know we're supposed to love difficult people.

The challenge often isn't learning something new—it's applying what we already know.

In this episode of FaithFuel, Bob Shaw talks about the difference between hearing God's Word and living it, and why spiritual growth isn't measured by information alone.

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Transcript

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Most of us don't need another sermon on forgiveness. We need to forgive somebody. Most of us don't need another sermon on trusting God. We just need to trust Him. See where I'm going with this? I'm Bob Shaw, and this is Faith Fuel. James 1 verse 22. Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. I've worked in Christian radio for a long time. Over the years I've heard thousands of sermons. I've interviewed pastors, listened to Bible teachers, attended church, read books, and spent a good part of my life around God's Word. The challenge in my life isn't finding new biblical information. Most of the time, I already know what God wants me to do. The challenge is actually doing it. When somebody hurts me, I already know what the Bible says about forgiveness. When I'm worried about something, I already know what the Bible says about trusting God. And when somebody gets on my nerves, I already know what the Bible says about loving people. The issue isn't a lack of knowledge, it's application. Jesus asked a similar question in Luke six, verse forty six. It's possible to spend years learning Scripture and still avoid the very thing God is asking us to do. I can listen to a dozen sermons about forgiveness, prayer, trusting God, and none of them will help if I keep holding a grudge, or never pray, or refuse to trust him when life gets difficult. Now I'm not saying that learning God's word and studying the Bible isn't important. Of course it is. But spiritual growth isn't measured by how much information we've collected. God wants his word to shape the way we live. That's why James said to be doers of the word, not merely hearers. Is there something God has already shown you that you've been putting off? Maybe it isn't something new you need to learn. Maybe it's something you already know, and today would be a good day to put it into practice. Lord, thank you for giving us your word. Help us not just to learn it, but to live it. Show us the areas where we've been hearing your truth without acting on it. Give us the courage to obey you, trust you, forgive others, and follow wherever you lead. In Jesus' name. Amen. If today's devotional challenged you, I hope you'll take a few minutes to think about what God may already be asking you to do. Faith Fueled is here every weekday morning with practical encouragement from God's Word. I'm Bob Shaw. Peace and joy.