Obedience…

Good morning! We are studying and praying the word obedience over our spouse and self and family..so carry on! 🙂

Obedience (hypakoē) is a mix of two greek words: (hupo, “under,” akouo, “to hear”) so you get the idea of submitting oneself to God’s words. You are under the LORD’s voice ergo you are to hear Him and obey. Interesting, eh?

Well as you know by now I never give you just the verse, so take some time to read this section. The verse is James 1:22, yet the section is James 1:19-25. On verse 22, what is in parentheses can be found in Vines Dictionary on www.blb.org

19Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry.
20For man’s anger does not promote the righteousness God [wishes and requires].
21So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls.
22But be (“to become, to take place,” is sometimes suitably translated “arise;”) doers ( a doer, performer, one who obeys or fulfils the law) of the Word (logos: what someone has said, a word, the sayings of God, decree, mandate or order, of the moral precepts given by God, Old Testament prophecy given by the prophets), and not merely (alone (without a companion), forsaken, destitute of help, alone, only, merely) listeners (from akroaomai, “to listen,” is used in Rom 2:13, “of a law;” Jam 1:22, 23, “of the word;” Jam 1:25, a (forgetful) hearer.”)to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth].
23For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it and being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror;
24For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like.
25But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience).
26If anyone thinks himself to be religious (piously observant of the external duties of his faith) and does not bridle his tongue but deludes his own heart, this person’s religious service is worthless (futile, barren).

James makes a clear distinction b/w the doers and the listeners. (those that JUST listen) 🙂 And it might be beneficial to you to go through this section and make a list of each of the distinction. What does the doer, well, do? What characterizes a listener? And as you do so pray that each characteristic of the doer would be found in your spouse, you and your family. Declare in Jesus’ name that your house is a house of God and pray for you to be an example, a light of Jesus who was the ultimate..well, doer. As I type that it sounded a little lame to just declare Him, the King of Kings a doer..

Anyway, the next thing I’m sharing is some verses that help us understand a doer’s role even further. 🙂 So it’s long, take your time as you can…May I also suggest that you pick one of these verse sets and commit them to memory? Put it on a notecard. Stick it in your pocket. On your smart phone, Ipad, Ipod..whatever. Everytime the evil one begins to lie to you pull it out! Remember. Allow God’s truth to fill your mind instead of the evil. Maybe ask your spouse to join you or as you pray for yourself in the moment of temptation, quick pray for your spouse at the same time. Either way you are declaring WORD over both of you.

As always, I use www.biblegateway.com for these verses.

Words on Obedience:

James 4: 17So any person who knows what is right to do but does not do it, to him it is sin.

Matthew 7: 21Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven.
22Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name?
23And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands].
24So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts upon them [obeying them] will be like a [p]sensible (prudent, practical, wise) man who built his house upon the rock.
25And the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.
26And everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not do them will be like a stupid (foolish) man who built his house upon the sand.
27And the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell–and great and complete was the fall of it.
28When Jesus had finished these sayings [the Sermon on the Mount], the crowds were astonished and overwhelmed with bewildered wonder at His teaching,
29For He was teaching as One Who had [and was] authority, and not as [did] the scribes.

Matthew 12:50 For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother!

Matthew 28:19 Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them [b]into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you [c]all the days ([d]perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. [e]Amen (so let it be).

Romans 2 13 For it is not merely hearing the Law [read] that makes one righteous before God, but it is the doers of the Law who will be held guiltless and acquitted and justified.

Philippians 4 8 For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].
9Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of [e]untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you.