What other scriptures warn about neglecting God's Word and its consequences? Amos 8:13—Spiritual Thirst Illustrated “In that day the lovely young women, the young men as well, will faint from thirst.” (Amos 8:13) · God’s people pushed His word aside, and the result was a famine “of hearing the words of the LORD” (v. 11). · The strongest and most vibrant (“lovely young women…young men”) collapse when the Word is absent—an image of every generation that ignores Scripture. The Law Sets the Tone · Deuteronomy 8:3—“Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.” Ignoring that word starves the soul. · Deuteronomy 30:17–18—If hearts turn away “so that you do not listen,” Moses warns the nation “you will surely perish.” · Joshua 1:8—Prosperity hinges on meditating on the Book of the Law “day and night.” Neglect brings failure. Wisdom Literature’s Straight Talk · Proverbs 13:13—“He who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but he who reveres a command will be rewarded.” · Psalm 119:9, 11—Young people stay pure only by guarding their way “according to Your word”…“I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” Prophets Raising the Alarm · Isaiah 5:13—“My people will go into exile for lack of understanding… the masses will be parched with thirst.” · Hosea 4:6—“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you.” · Jeremiah 6:19—Disaster comes “because they have not listened to My words.” · Zechariah 7:11–13—When Israel “covered their ears,” God replied, “When they called, I would not listen.” Clear Warnings from Jesus · Matthew 7:26–27—Hearing Christ’s words without acting is like building on sand; the collapse is “great.” · John 12:48—“The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day” if it is rejected. Apostolic Echoes · Hebrews 2:1–3—“We must pay closer attention… so that we do not drift away… how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?” · James 1:22—“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” · 2 Timothy 4:3–4—Itching ears that “turn their ears away from the truth” end up chasing myths. · Revelation 3:16—The Word neglected in Laodicea produced lukewarmness; Jesus warns, “I am about to vomit you out of My mouth!” Consequences Painted in Living Color 1. Spiritual famine—emptiness even when material needs are met (Amos 8:11–13). 2. Exile and loss—personal or national displacement (Isaiah 5:13). 3. Self-deception—thinking we’re fine while foundations crumble (James 1:22; Matthew 7:27). 4. Divine silence—God stops answering when His Word is repeatedly ignored (Zechariah 7:13). 5. Eternal accountability—the very words rejected become the standard of judgment (John 12:48). Living It Out · Feed daily on Scripture as intensely as you would pursue food and water. · Let the Word shape choices, relationships, and worldview; mere hearing is never enough. · Guard against “itching ears” by measuring every teaching against the whole counsel of God. · Treat seasons of dryness as warning lights, driving you back to Scripture before faintness sets in. |
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