I believe it is the most common malady relating to spiritual growth in the life of a Christian. That is: not acting upon God’s word when we receive it, and similarly failing to obey God’s voice.

I can speak authoritatively on this subject because I have experienced this dilemma first hand. I was becoming increasingly frustrated and even let the Devil tell me “there was no use going to church if I wasn’t going to do anything with what I had heard.” You see, I was being torn apart on the inside because I knew I was responsible for what I was hearing, and yet I was not doing anything about it. By His grace, my heart was set to please Him, so I gradually began to change my priorities.

 “.…be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”— James 1:22

From the very beginning of my Christian walk, I have been privileged to sit under some of the finest and most gifted preachers of God’s word. Additionally, I was listening to sermons during the week by radio. I was taking in “the Bread of life” – good spiritual food – but there was little in my life to show for it. I had a desire to be a “doer of the word,” even so, I continued month after month, year after year, being ineffective in God’s kingdom. I knew I had all of this wonderful and powerful teaching (God’s word) inside of me, but I was not acting upon it.

“….the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.”— Matthew 13:22

I had become spiritually constipated, if you will. Through God’s grace and the gentle tugs of the Holy Spirit, I was made aware the cares of this world were choking out the word, which was being planted in my heart. I realized I had to make a change in my priorities.

“….he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master…”2 Timothy 2:21

God designed us to be vessels that are filled with His love, mercy, and grace. The Bible tells us that when we develop an intimate relationship with God, He fills us with Himself, “and out of our bellies will flow rivers of Living water,” poured out to our friends and neighbors who are hurting and separated from God. We accomplish this by coming into His presence with worship and thanksgiving, reading and meditating on His word, and being renewed in His strength. We are called to live this lifestyle of dependence upon God where He fills us with His supernatural power, strength, love, and mercy. This is a continual process that should occur on a daily basis, God pours Himself into us so that we can then be selflessly poured out to others.

“Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” —James 4:17

Being a doer of the word means yielding to, and obeying God’s “still small voice.” He will direct us to do His will (pour us out), which will, in turn, produce a life of joy and blessing. There is an unspeakable joy that comes from obeying God. The old hymn “Trust and Obey” sums it up by saying, “there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”

“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom.”— Luke 6:38

Many people think this scripture speaks only about money—it may. However, I believe it addresses everything that God gives to us.  Can we give hope to others? Can we offer God’s peace to others? How about His eternal life? Can we share our greatest treasure with others or do we keep it all to ourselves?  It is only when we freely give as God gives to us that we are set free to walk in the liberty which is ours to have. When we willingly give as God directs us, we literally become unable to contain the blessing and provision God pours out upon us.

“….for in Him we live and move and have our being…” — Acts 17:28

As we let go of ownership, relinquishing our rights, we allow God to live and move through us. We then become a yielded vessel that God can use. God says in Romans 8:14: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” We become His conduit so that His love, mercy, and blessing will flow through us to people who need Him. Our obedience allows that flow to continue and not become stopped up.  Disobedience causes the flow to stop, causing us to become stagnate and constipated in our spiritual walk; we lose our joy. Being used by God in this way can seem mysterious and opposed to how the world teaches us to live, but it is in giving that we receive; it is God’s way.