James 1:22 (CSB)
But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
The Bible is very different from any other book we read because it's not just words on a page; rather, it is living and breathing. “For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12, CSB). No other book has the ability to shape you at the very depths of your soul and spirit, producing life transformation like the Bible.
James warns us to “be doers of the word not hearers only,” challenging us to take what we hear from the Word of God and apply it to our daily lives. This depends on the Holy Spirit within us to give illumination as we concentrate on the application, and then, in turn, the Spirit brings transformation.
In reading the Scriptures, we're not just merely reading words on a page; we are interacting with the Almighty God. We must have a desire for the truths contained within the Bible to become living and breathing realities that are forming and shaping the way we think and relate to God and everyone around us.
All of this requires active involvement with the Holy Spirit within us and the Word of God before us. If we just listen to or read the Bible without any participation from our standpoint, we can easily become like a stinky sponge. Have you ever grabbed a sponge to clean a dish that had become stagnant? It kind of defeats the purpose, doesn't it? If a sponge is not wrung out, then over time, the liquid becomes foul, and the sponge sours and stinks. Many Christians go to church and as they listen to the sermon “Sit, Soak, Sour, and Stink.”
No one wants to be a member of a stinky church. And we know the Lord doesn't want a stinky church. We must understand that if we're becoming stagnant, Jesus will do the most loving thing and wring us out before we sour. Look at how Ephesians 5:25–27 (NLT) explains Jesus’ cleansing relationship with His Church: “For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.”
Would you rather be wrung out by the Lord before you spoil or engage in life application on your own initiative? The process of being “wrung out” can be painful. But you must keep in mind that it's always done from the perspective of loving discipline. Just as a loving parent disciplines their children to keep them from spoiling, our heavenly Father will do the same for us (Heb. 12:9).
As you seek first the Kingdom of God, don't just be content with going through the motions of Bible reading and routine church attendance. Seeking first the Kingdom of God means intentionally participating in the work of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God in your life as it brings growth, renewal, and transformation by the grace of God in and through you.
Be vigilant not to merely “Sit, Soak, Sour, and Stink” in the Word; instead, actively interact with the Holy Spirit, allowing the cleansing power of the Scriptures to revitalize you. Pray for the Holy Spirit to stir and transform your life into a vibrant vessel that is overflowing with the cleansing power of the Word of God.