“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” James 1:19-21 (NIV)
Gardeners know that you can take the exact same seed and plant it in three different locations and get three different results. In one spot, you may get giant tomatoes. In another, you may get small tomatoes. And in a third, you may not get anything at all. What’s the difference? It’s not the seed; it’s the soil. The soil must be prepared for the seed.
The same is true when you hear God’s Word. Your heart has to be prepared for the Word.
Church service is a great example of this. If you get up late, have trouble finding a parking spot, and are irritated as you rush into church, you’re probably not going to hear God’s voice! Your heart is not prepared to receive God’s Word.
That’s why two people may go to the same church service, sit side by side, and hear the same Scripture read and sermon preached. One will walk out thinking God really spoke to them, and the other won’t get anything at all out of the service. The heart of one person was prepared; the other’s heart wasn’t.
The Bible says, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you” (James 1:19-21 NIV).
Scripture teaches that, for your heart to be prepared to receive God’s Word, you need to have four attitudes:
Be quiet. You can’t hear God if you’re talking.
Be calm. You can’t rush God. If you’re frantic, you’re not going to hear him. The Bible says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” My translation of that is, “Sit down, and be quiet.”
Be clean. Before you can meet with God, you need to confess your sin to him and ask him to forgive you.
Be humble. Be ready to do whatever God tells you from his Word. A prideful attitude won’t work.
Next time you’re going to spend time in God’s Word—whether that’s at church or in your quiet time at home—take time first to prepare your heart. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes!
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
Talk It Over
Why do you think it's so difficult to be calm and quiet enough to hear from God? What can you do to minimize your distractions so that you are able to listen well?
What sin is keeping you from hearing God’s voice today?
What new habits can help prepare you and your family to hear from God during church or at any time?
This devotional © 2023 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Before you plant a seed, you need to prepare the soil. The same is true for your heart! Learn how to prepare your heart to receive God’s Word in today’s #DailyHope devotional.
Rick Warren Bio
Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church, one of America’s largest and most influential churches. Pastor Rick is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Purpose Driven Life. His book The Purpose Driven Church was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th century. Pastor Rick created The PEACE Plan to address the five global giants—spiritual emptiness, self-serving leadership, poverty, disease, and illiteracy—through the power of ordinary people in the local church. His Daily Hope broadcast and daily devotionals are offered around the world. You can listen to the broadcast or sign up for the free devotionals at PastorRick.com.
Tags
40 Days in the Word – 2023, God’s Word, Bible Study, Hearing God, Knowing God, Margin, Church, Confession, Humility, James 1
Broadcast Series: 40 Days in the Word – 2023
Sermon Series: 40 Days in the Word (2012)
Sermon: 023601_Building My Life on the Bible
