"Listening But No Knowledge"

"Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."  2 Timothy 3:7

The third chapter of 2 Timothy starts off telling us some of the attitudes and characteristics that people will have in the last days.  It says they will be high minded, covetous, without natural affection, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, unthankful, unholy, etc.  (Take some time to read them all.)  The verse this morning is added among them.  People would be "ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth".  This verse isn't referring to people who don't have "book knowledge".  It is referring to "spiritual knowledge".

Many "Christians" sit in church week after week listening to the preaching of the Word of God.  They sit in front of the television and listen to every preacher that comes on.  They will purchase teaching tapes and download sermons by their favorite preachers, yet, they are "spiritually illiterate".  As much Word as they listen to you would think they would be "spiritual giants".  But they aren't.  There is not much or no evidence of a transformation that the Word brings in their lives.  They have no fruit of the Spirit in their lives. They don't apply the Word, live by the Word or obey they Word.  They have lots of Bible knowledge but no truth that it gives.  (It makes you wonder how this is possible.)

The Pharisees did the same thing.  They heard Jesus preach the Word and yet they didn't apply it, live by it or receive what He said.  They didn't allow it to change and govern their lives.  Not only did they hear the Word preached but it was The Word who was preaching it to them-- and they still didn't get the grasp the truth.  (John 1:1,14)

So how do people hear the Word and it not change their lives?  It is called a "spirit of religion".  A person can be religious with the Word and not have a relationship with the Word.  That's how the Pharisees were.  The Word is meant to be applied, lived by and obeyed.  It is meant for more than to just be read or listened to only. 

Where are you with the Word?  Are you listening to it or allowing it to change and govern your life?  Are you allowing it to mold your thinking, actions and attitude?  Are you listening to it but that is all you are doing?  Are you learning about it but not gaining the knowledge of the truth?

Have a great day.  Are you listening to the Word of God but not going anything further with it?