BE A DOER OF THE WORD

“HOLD FAST TO THE PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS WHICH YOU HAVE HEARD FROM ME, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.”
2 Timothy 1:13 (NKJV)

“BUT BE DOERS OF THE WORD, AND NOT HEARERS ONLY, DECEIVING YOURSELVES ”
James 1:22 (NKJV)

What gives the devil a chance in a believer’s life is when he/she refuses to walk in the light of God’s Word. That is, when the person lives contrary to the word of God (John 14:23,24; 1 John 2:5,6).
The devil fights the word of God. He does not want people to receive the Word; the gospel, the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ:
3 BUT EVEN IF OUR GOSPEL IS VEILED, IT IS VEILED TO THOSE WHO ARE PERISHING, 4 WHOSE MIND THE GOD OF THIS AGE HAS BLINDED, WHO DO NOT BELIEVE, LEST THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL OF THE GLORY OF CHRIST, WHO IS THE IMAGE OF GOD, SHOULD SHINE ON THEM" (2 Corinthians 4:3,4 NKJV).

It is known to the devil that if a believer lives by the principles of the Word of God; he, the devil, is incapacitated to operate in such a person’s life.
The major goal of the devil is to hinder the children of God that they might not live in line with the Word of God.
If the devil succeeds in the plot to make a believer live contrary to the Word; then he has an opportunity in such a believer’s life: “AND DO NOT GIVE THE DEVIL AN OPPORTUNITY [to lead you into sin by holding a grudge, or nurturing anger, or harboring resentment, or cultivating bitterness].”
Ephesians 4:27 (Amp.)

7 LITTLE CHILDREN, LET NO ONE DECEIVE YOU. HE WHO PRACTICES RIGHTEOUSNESS IS RIGHTEOUS, JUST AS HE IS RIGHTEOUS.
8 HE WHO SINS IS OF THE DEVIL, FOR THE DEVIL HAS SINNED FROM THE BEGINNING. FOR THIS PURPOSE THE SON OF GOD WAS MANIFESTED, THAT HE MIGHT DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL."
1 John 3:7,8 (NKJV)

The truths are:
• If you are living contrary to the Word of God, you are undoing yourself—you weaken God in the matters or affairs of your life through your way of life.
• God can only work effectively in your life, if you live in line with His Word:
“IF YOU ABIDE IN ME, AND MY WORDS ABIDE IN YOU, YOU WILL ASK WHAT YOU DESIRE, AND IT SHALL BE DONE FOR YOU" (John 15:7 NKJV).

Some believe they do not understand the stand of God on certain issues, thus they decided to do what they like.
All that God wants us to know about Him and how to live our Christian lives are written in the Bible (Deuteronomy 30:11-14; Romans 10:6-8).

16 ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD, AND IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE, FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, FOR INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS,
17 THAT THE MAN OF GOD [the son or daughter of God] MAY BE COMPLETE, THOROUGHLY EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK.”
2 Timothy 3:16,17 (NKJV)

Do you practice the truth you know? (John 8:22)
It is not enough to know the truth; you have to practice the truth you know that you may escape the traps of the devil and stand against his wiles (Ephesians 6:11; James 1:25).
No one prevails over the devil without walking in the light of God’s Word, that is, you walk in the light of the Word of God you know presently.

A number of believers depend on God’s mercy. Yes, God will have mercy on those whose knowledge about Him is shallow, not sufficient; however God will want them to grow and leave that babyhood stage of Christianity.
They should not depend on God's mercy alone and be complacent; they should grow to know the Word and practice it—have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil:
12 FOR THOUGH BY THIS TIME YOU OUGHT TO BE TEACHERS, YOU NEED SOMEONE TO TEACH YOU AGAIN THE FIRST PRINCIPLES OF THE ORACLES OF GOD [sayings, Scriptures]; AND YOU HAVE COME TO NEED MILK AND NOT SOLID FOOD. 13 FOR EVERYONE WHO PARTAKES ONLY OF MILK IS UNSKILLED IN THE WORD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, FOR HE IS A BABE. 14 BUT SOLID FOOD BELONGS TO THOSE WHO ARE OF FULL AGE (mature), THAT IS, THOSE WHO BY REASON OF USE [practice] HAVE THEIR SENSES EXERCISED TO DISCERN BOTH GOOD AND EVIL” (Hebrews 5:12-14 NKJV).

God may permit unpalatable experiences that will aid your spiritual growth, if you refused to grow and leave the babyhood stage.
God will not condone your complacency indefinitely. He wants you to move on to maturity, that is, mature in your understanding: “THEREFORE, LEAVING THE DISCUSSION OF THE ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES OF CHRIST, LET US GO ON TO PERFECTION [maturity] . . ." (Hebrews 6:1 NKJV).

Peace in Jesus’ name!