James 1:22 (AMPC), “But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth].”

Have you ever made up your mind to begin a good habit that will make a significant difference in your life, only to reason yourself out of it, because it was a little inconvenient and uncomfortable for your flesh? The truth is, starting any good habit to bring change to our lives, will be a challenge at first. But if we ignore the inconvenience and discomfort, and push through, before long the change that’s produced, will prove to be well worth our effort. When it comes to seeing significant change in our spiritual lives, the same principle applies. Except, when we do what is right spiritually, it affects and benefits every other area of our lives too. That change always begins with our minds, or souls prospering. As we renew our thoughts to the truth of God’s Word, our attitude, conversations, and behavior start changing too. A mind renewed to God’s perspective will change the whole course of our lives for the good. John calls this changed mind a prosperous one! In 3 John 1:2 he said we will be in health and our lives will prosper to the extent that our minds prosper! Our part is to receive and welcome the Word into our lives by spending time reading and listening to it. Not just as background noise but really paying attention to what it says.  Pretty soon we will begin agreeing with it, then we will meditate on it, thinking about it throughout the day and night, speaking to the Lord about it and imagining how we can apply it to our lives. At this point, we are ready to take the step of obeying it or actually doing what it says. James said if we don’t follow all the way through and actually put to practice the Word we agree with and believe, change is not going to come! In fact, we are deceiving ourselves if we think just knowing the truth and not putting it to practice is going to profit us at all. Once hearing and receiving the Word, make sure you don’t reason or talk your way out of the truth you heard. Instead, deliberately and immediately begin practicing what it says. This way that truth will begin producing fruit, or evidence, of its transforming work in you.  Praise God! Let God’s Word transform you - one glorious truth at a time!