DCLM Daily Manna 2023: DCLM Daily Manna 2 December 2023: Hearers and Doers of the Word
KEY VERSE: “And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold… 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 8:8,15)
TEXT: Luke 8:5-15 (KJV)
A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.
7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?
10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
15 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.
The basics of the Christian life are hinged on two things: the knowledge of God’s word and its application in everyday life. These make one a genuine follower of Christ. Jesus queried why He was called Lord and His words were not obeyed. He described the disobedient as those who build on sandy foundation and the obedient as wise persons who dig deep and lay their foundation on solid rock. When the floods come, the sandy foundation collapses but the rocky foundation stands firm. Hearers of the word of God are of different categories and have different hearts (Luke 8:5-8).
There are those whose hearts can be likened to a beaten path on which no plant can grow: the wayside heart. They are characterised by forgetfulness. They do not have the opportunity to meditate on the Word because the devil snatches it as soon as they receive it. The second category pays attention to the Word but it does not take root in them.
They only apply the word for as long as it is convenient. The heart of the next group of hearers is likened to a piece of land full of thorns. These thorns take the form of cares and pleasures of life. Such people may hear and understand the word of God, but the cares of the world choke the word in their hearts. They put off repentance till another time, though they know it is necessary. The last category of hearers listens to the word of God with a sincere and honest heart.
This kind of heart is humble, always seeking to meditate on the Word and consciously noting areas where it can be applied in everyday life. Such hearers produce fruit of righteousness and holy living. Which of these are you and what kind of heart do you have? Remember that Christ’s ultimate expectation is that you should be the doer of “the word, and not hearers only”.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY: Acting on God’s word liberates the mind and empowers believers.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Daniel 11-12
Thank you for studying today’s Daily Manna – Hearers and Doers of the Word – by Pastor W.F Kumuyi
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Daily Manna 2 December 2023
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