God is telling the prophet Ezekiel this is how it is with the people who come to him.
Ezekiel 33:30-32
Come and hear the message that has come from the Lord.’ 31 My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice. With their mouths they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. 32 Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice.
Wow! Yet, are they any different than us? James writes over 500 years later.
James 1:22
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
This is a human problem. We want to hear from God. But do we really want to obey God?
As a teacher of God’s word, I should not be surprised when those telling me they enjoy my teaching may not always act on what is being taught.
Father, help me not only be a hearer of your word but one who does what you say.
