Lesson 14: How to Hear, Believe, and Obey the Word of God
You can read a passage correctly and still fail to respond to it.
You can understand what a sermon means and leave unchanged.
You can agree that a command is true while continuing to disobey it.
You can admire a promise without trusting the God who gave it.
Jesus said:
“Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.”
— Luke 11:28, KJV
Jesus did not pronounce blessing upon people merely because sound entered their ears.
He spoke of those who hear the Word of God and keep it.
Lesson 13 taught us how to read Scripture with faith and understanding. But understanding is not the end of our responsibility.
When God’s Word becomes clear, a response is required.
The disciple must learn to hear attentively, receive humbly, believe sincerely, and obey faithfully.
Hearing Is More Than Being Present
A person may sit through a sermon without truly hearing it.
His body is present, but his mind is elsewhere.
He may hear words while thinking about another person.
He may listen only for something interesting, comforting, or new.
He may begin judging the speaker’s style before considering the truth being taught.
He may even recognize that the message is biblical while inwardly resisting its application.
Jesus repeatedly said:
“He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
— Matthew 11:15, KJV
The people listening to Jesus already possessed physical ears. His words were a call to spiritual attention.
True hearing means that the heart is awake before God.
It says:
“Lord, I am listening.”
“Help me recognize what You have said.”
“Do not let me dismiss truth merely because it is uncomfortable.”
When you open the Bible, hear.
When Scripture is faithfully preached, hear.
When a familiar verse exposes something you have ignored, hear.
Do not assume that because you have encountered a passage before, you have fully received what it says.
Take Heed How You Hear
Jesus warned:
“Take heed therefore how ye hear…”
— Luke 8:18, KJV
How you hear matters.
Two people may listen to the same biblical message and respond very differently.
One may be humbled.
The other becomes defensive.
One receives correction.
The other thinks only about who else needed to hear it.
One remembers the truth and acts upon it.
The other says, “That was a good message,” and quickly forgets it.
Before reading Scripture or listening to preaching, examine your posture.
Are you willing to be taught?
Are you prepared to admit that you may be wrong?
Are you listening only for comfort, or are you also willing to receive warning?
Are you asking God to address you, or are you applying everything to other people?
A teachable heart does not mean believing every statement made by a human teacher. All teaching must agree with Scripture.
But neither should a disciple approach every message with a proud determination to resist anything that challenges him.
Come ready to receive what God has truly said.
Receive Scripture as the Word of God
Paul praised the believers in Thessalonica because of the way they received the message:
“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”
— 1 Thessalonians 2:13, KJV
They did not receive it merely as human opinion.
They received it as the Word of God.
That changes the response.
Human advice may be considered and rejected.
Personal preferences may be negotiated.
Cultural opinions may change.
But when Scripture has spoken clearly, the disciple is standing before the authority of God.
This does not mean that every preacher’s explanation is automatically correct. Human teachers can misunderstand or misuse Scripture. Later lessons will address careful study and false teaching.
The point here is that when you have clearly understood what Scripture itself says, you must not treat it as a suggestion that you may accept only when convenient.
God has spoken.
That should humble us.
It should awaken seriousness.
It should silence the excuse, “I simply prefer another way.”
Hearing Must Be Joined With Faith
The Word must not only be heard. It must be believed.
Hebrews describes people who heard God’s message but did not profit from it:
“For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.”
— Hebrews 4:2, KJV
They heard, but they did not believe God.
Faith responds differently to the different ways God speaks.
When God gives a promise, faith trusts Him.
When God gives a warning, faith takes it seriously.
When God reveals truth about Himself, faith accepts that revelation.
When God gives a command, faith believes His way is right.
When God exposes sin, faith agrees with His judgment.
Unbelief does not always say openly, “The Bible is false.”
Sometimes unbelief says:
“I know what God said, but my way will work better.”
“That warning probably will not apply to me.”
“I know God calls this sin, but it does not seem serious.”
“I understand the promise, but I cannot trust God in this situation.”
Believing Scripture means more than agreeing that the words are inspired.
It means treating what God has said as true in the matter before you.
Do Not Harden Your Heart
Scripture warns:
“To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts…”
— Hebrews 3:15, KJV
A hard heart does not always begin with open rebellion.
It may begin with delayed response.
“I will deal with that later.”
“I know I should change, but this is not a good time.”
“I have heard that teaching before.”
“I will obey when it becomes easier.”
Each delay teaches the heart to resist again.
The first time a passage exposes something wrong, you may feel deeply convicted. If you repeatedly refuse to respond, that conviction may become easier to ignore.
Do not mistake reduced discomfort for spiritual peace.
You may feel less troubled because the issue has been resolved—or because your heart has become less sensitive.
When God’s Word makes something clear, do not push it away merely because obedience will cost you.
Respond while your heart is tender.
The Condition of the Heart Matters
Jesus compared the Word of God to seed falling upon different kinds of ground.
The seed was the same, but the results were different because the hearts receiving it were different.
Some seed was taken away before it took root.
Some was received quickly but had no depth.
Some was choked by the cares, riches, and pleasures of life.
But Jesus said of the fruitful hearers:
“But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.”
— Luke 8:15, KJV
This lesson will not examine every part of the parable in detail. Its central warning is enough:
The way your heart receives the Word affects what the Word produces in your life.
Ask yourself:
Is my heart distracted?
Am I receiving truth only emotionally, without depth?
Are other desires crowding out what God has said?
Am I willing to keep the Word long enough for it to bear fruit?
An honest heart does not pretend.
It does not hide behind religious appearance.
It says, “Lord, show me the truth about my response.”
Different Truths Require Different Responses
Not every passage of Scripture asks you to respond in exactly the same way.
Some passages reveal something to believe.
Some give a command to obey.
Some contain a promise to trust.
Some give a warning to heed.
Some expose a sin to forsake.
Some present an example to follow—or avoid.
Some reveal something about God for which you should thank and honor Him.
Therefore, after reading or hearing Scripture, ask:
What kind of truth has been placed before me?
If it is a truth about God, believe it.
If it is a promise rightly given to believers, trust Him.
If it is a command, obey it.
If it is a warning, take it seriously.
If it exposes sin, agree with God and turn from it.
If it reveals mercy, receive that mercy with gratitude.
This protects us from treating every Bible passage as though it were merely an inspiring thought.
God’s Word speaks with purpose.
Hear what the passage actually requires.
Obedience Must Become Specific
General intentions often produce little change.
A person may say:
“I need to do better.”
“I should become more spiritual.”
“I need to take the Bible more seriously.”
Those thoughts may be sincere, but they are too vague to guide a clear response.
When Scripture shows you something, ask:
What specific response does this truth require from me?
Perhaps the response is:
“I must stop speaking dishonestly.”
“I need to apologize to the person I wronged.”
“I must refuse an activity Scripture identifies as sinful.”
“I need to trust God instead of acting from unbelief.”
“I must begin fulfilling a responsibility I have neglected.”
“I need to thank God for a mercy I have overlooked.”
The response should come from the passage—not from an emotional idea added to it.
Do not create unnecessary rules that God did not command.
But when the required response is clear, do not hide behind vagueness.
Name the step.
Do Not Confuse Agreement With Obedience
It is possible to agree strongly with a biblical teaching and still refuse to practice it.
James wrote:
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
— James 1:22, KJV
The hearer-only may know the right answers.
He may defend sound doctrine.
He may enjoy serious preaching.
He may underline verses and take notes.
He may tell others what they should do.
Yet if he refuses to respond personally, he deceives himself.
Agreement is important, but agreement is not the same as obedience.
Feeling convicted is not the same as obeying.
Writing down a command is not the same as obeying.
Talking about the lesson is not the same as obeying.
Planning to obey later is not the same as obeying.
Lesson 29 will examine more fully what it means to become a settled doer of the Word throughout life. The concern here is immediate:
What will you do with the truth God has placed before you today?
Obey What Is Clear
Sometimes people delay obeying a clear command because they still have questions about other matters.
They say:
“I need to understand more first.”
There are times when further study is necessary. We must not act upon a verse we have misunderstood.
But once the meaning and required response are clear, continued delay is not careful study. It is resistance.
You do not need to understand every subject in the Bible before obeying the truth you understand today.
You may not know everything about Christian maturity, but you can tell the truth today.
You may not understand every future decision, but you can refuse known sin today.
You may have unanswered theological questions, but you can obey Christ in the responsibility already placed before you.
Do not use what remains unclear as an excuse for refusing what is clear.
Respond Without Unnecessary Delay
The psalmist wrote:
“I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.”
— Psalm 119:59–60, KJV
He considered his ways.
Then he turned his feet.
He did not merely recognize that his direction was wrong. He changed direction.
He also said:
“I made haste, and delayed not.”
Prompt obedience matters because delay allows excuses to grow.
The longer you wait, the easier it becomes to explain away what was once clear.
If restitution is needed, begin making it right.
If an apology is required, do not protect your pride.
If an activity must stop, do not schedule one final compromise.
If God has shown you a responsibility, take the first faithful step.
This does not mean responding recklessly without wisdom. Some matters require planning, counsel, or consideration of other responsibilities.
But wisdom should help obedience—not become a disguise for avoiding it.
Do Not Select Only the Parts You Prefer
A disciple must not receive Scripture selectively.
It is easy to welcome comfort while resisting correction.
People may treasure promises but avoid warnings.
They may speak often of mercy while refusing commands.
They may desire encouragement without allowing Scripture to confront sin.
But the same God who comforts also corrects.
The same Word that reveals mercy also calls for holiness.
The same Lord who gives promises also gives commands.
Psalm 119 says:
“Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.”
— Psalm 119:128, KJV
The disciple does not decide which parts of Scripture are worthy of submission.
He receives the whole Word as right.
When it comforts, receive comfort.
When it warns, receive warning.
When it corrects, receive correction.
When it commands, obey.
Your response should not be determined by whether the passage agrees with your present desires.
Your desires must be brought under what God has said.
Obedience Does Not Purchase God’s Favor
A necessary distinction must be maintained.
We do not obey Scripture in order to earn salvation.
Salvation is not a reward given to people who perform enough religious duties. We are saved through Jesus Christ and depend upon His mercy.
But the grace that saves us does not teach us to ignore the Lord who saved us.
Obedience is the response of faith to the God whose Word we believe.
We obey because Jesus Christ is Lord.
We obey because God’s way is right.
We obey because faith that continually refuses God’s authority is not healthy biblical faith.
Do not use obedience as a reason to boast.
Do not use grace as an excuse to disobey.
Receive the Word with humble dependence upon God.
Fruit Often Develops Gradually
Not every response produces immediate visible results.
You may obey a passage today, yet the deeper change may develop over time.
Jesus said the good-ground hearers:
“…having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.”
— Luke 8:15, KJV
Fruit comes with patience.
One act of obedience does not instantly produce mature character.
A warning received today may protect you months later.
A truth believed today may strengthen you during a future trial.
A command repeatedly obeyed may gradually replace an old habit.
Do not become discouraged because growth is not instant.
Neither should you use gradual growth as permission for delay.
Respond today, and continue in the truth tomorrow.
God’s Word must be heard, believed, obeyed, and kept.
Lesson 15 will focus upon keeping Scripture before the mind and heart through meditation.
A Simple Response Pattern
After reading Scripture or hearing faithful biblical teaching, use the following pattern.
1. Identify the Truth
What did the passage clearly say?
State it simply without adding your own ideas.
2. Identify the Required Response
Does this truth call you to believe, trust, obey, stop, begin, confess, thank, or take warning?
3. Agree With God
Do not argue with what Scripture has made clear.
Say honestly:
“God is right.”
4. Make the Response Specific
Name the action, attitude, belief, or change required.
Avoid vague promises.
5. Ask for Grace
Depend upon God rather than trusting your willpower.
“Lord, help me respond faithfully to what You have shown me.”
6. Begin Without Unnecessary Delay
Take the first clear step.
7. Continue in the Truth
Do not let one emotional moment replace lasting faithfulness.
Hear.
Believe.
Respond.
Continue.
Discipleship Questions
- What is the difference between physically hearing Scripture and hearing it with the heart?
- Why must the Word be received as God’s Word rather than merely as human advice?
- How does faith respond differently to a promise, warning, command, or correction?
- What is the danger of delaying obedience after Scripture has made something clear?
- What truth has God already shown you that now requires a specific response?
Closing Exhortation
Do not let the Word of God pass across the surface of your life.
Hear it attentively.
Receive it humbly.
Believe that God is telling the truth.
Take His warnings seriously.
Trust His promises.
Bow before His commands.
When the Word exposes you, do not apply it only to someone else.
When the required response is clear, do not hide behind vague intentions.
Do not call agreement obedience.
Do not call delay wisdom.
Think upon your ways.
Turn your feet toward God’s testimonies.
Make haste.
The blessing is not merely upon those who encounter religious words.
Jesus said:
“Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.”
— Luke 11:28, KJV
Be that kind of hearer.
A Prayer to Hear, Believe, and Obey
Father,
Thank You for giving me Your Word.
Give me ears to hear what You have spoken.
Protect me from distraction, pride, defensiveness, and a hard heart.
Help me receive Scripture as Your Word and not merely as human opinion.
When You reveal truth, help me believe You.
When You give a promise, help me trust You.
When You warn me, help me take the warning seriously.
When You command me, help me obey without unnecessary delay.
Keep me from applying every message to other people while avoiding what You are showing me.
Do not let me confuse agreement, emotion, or good intentions with obedience.
Show me the specific response Your truth requires.
Give me grace to take the first faithful step and patience to continue until Your Word bears fruit in my life.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Next Step
Return to the passage you read most recently.
Write down four answers:
- What did God’s Word say?
- What should I believe?
- What response does it require?
- What first step will I take today?
Keep the response specific.
Do not attempt to correct ten areas at once.
Act faithfully upon the clearest truth God has placed before you.
Previous Lesson: Lesson 13 — How to Read the Bible With Faith and Understanding
Next Lesson: Lesson 15 — How to Meditate on Scripture Day and Night