Gods Word... is it working for me?

[Tyler Sotock]

Hi.  I think I’m honestly looking for a word of affirmation.  I’ve been listening to the Bible for years now, and I don’t “feel” it’s working.  I know I can rely on feelings but, you would think if it was working on me, I would “know” it.   I think Gods word is so powerful that just passively listening to it will change me, but I’m not sure.

[BK1110]

Have you prayed about this? Every time you're about to begin Bible study in some way, pray to God that He would speak to you with His word to teach and change you according to His will. And don't just read/listen to the Bible, but really study it. Maybe start with some of the Look at the Book videos on Desiring God's Youtube channel and see if going a little deeper helps?

[Michael37]

4 hours ago, Tyler Sotock said:

Hi.  I think I’m honestly looking for a word of affirmation.  I’ve been listening to the Bible for years now, and I don’t “feel” it’s working.  I know I can rely on feelings but, you would think if it was working on me, I would “know” it.   I think Gods word is so powerful that just passively listening to it will change me, but I’m not sure.

Hi Tyler. Your question lands squarely in my wheelhouse as I too spent years as a child and youth completely immersed in daily Bible reading and devotions but failed to walk the talk.

The problem is addressed in the Parable of the Sower.

Parts of my heart were trampled down and packed hard by the world in its trafficking to and fro so that Satan was able to snatch away the seed of God's Word because it was not able to take root and produce fruit. Likewise parts of my heart were like stoney soil and soil choked with weeds and thorns. To cultivate the fertile soil of the heart from which much fruit can be produced, "seek first the kingdom of God" . . .

The Parable of the Sower Explained
(Mark 4:13–20; Luke 8:11–15) [Berean Study Bible]

18Consider, then, the parable of the sower: 19When anyone hears the message of the kingdom but does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sownd along the path.

20The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21But since he has no root, he remains for only a season. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.

22The seed sown among the thorns is the one who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

23But the seed sown on good soil is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and produces a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold.”

[johnthebaptist]

21 hours ago, Tyler Sotock said:

Hi.  I think I’m honestly looking for a word of affirmation.  I’ve been listening to the Bible for years now, and I don’t “feel” it’s working.  I know I can rely on feelings but, you would think if it was working on me, I would “know” it.   I think Gods word is so powerful that just passively listening to it will change me, but I’m not sure.

We can find God's word in the Bible. We need to do what he tells us to do. Paul tells us to pray constantly (1 Thessalonians 5:17), which I believe would be good advice whether Paul had said so, or not. When we pray constantly, both talking to the Lord and listening to him, we better get to know him and what his plan is.

I don't think passively listening to the Bible will help you much.

[Who me]

On 2/9/2021 at 12:51 AM, Tyler Sotock said:

Hi.  I think I’m honestly looking for a word of affirmation.  I’ve been listening to the Bible for years now, and I don’t “feel” it’s working.  I know I can rely on feelings but, you would think if it was working on me, I would “know” it.   I think Gods word is so powerful that just passively listening to it will change me, but I’m not sure.

 

Try reading, James Ch 1 verses 22-25

As verse 22 says, do not merely listen to the word of God, but do it.

 

Listening if one does not obey it is pointless., As verse 23 says just listening you are receiving your self.

 

Talk to the minister of the church where you attend every Sunday.

If not doing so start .

[Willa]

Jas 1:22  But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Jas 1:23  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.

Jas 1:24  For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.

Jas 1:25  But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

Psa 111:10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.

I didn't learn the word by reading or listening to it.  I learned by applying it to my daily problems.  First I would pray about the problem.  Then the answer would come from God's word, from the sermon that week and, just in case I wasn't paying attention, in a hymn on the radio.  After I had done what the word instructed, thinking that maybe God was trying to tell me something, God's word became a part of my life.  It doesn't change me till I apply it.