My Word Is Not Simply a Lovely Song

"And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not." Ezekiel 33:32

Back in the day, I used to love the song "Thin Line Between Love and Hate" and knew every single word. But it wasn't until I was in my thirties that I actually understood what the lyrics meant. As my relationship with God deepened, I found myself drawn less and less to those types of songs. My

spirit was being built up while my flesh was dying to self.

One day, as my body grooved to the music, my spirit suddenly quickened the words to my mind. It was like I was truly hearing the song for the very first time. For the first time, I wasn't just hearing the song—I was truly listening.

The man was actually singing about how he wouldn't get home until 5:00 in the morning. Apparently, the woman got tired of it but was not saying anything. This particular morning, she treated him so nicely as if nothing was wrong but apparently beat him so badly that all he knew was that he woke up in the hospital bandaged from feet to head (LOL!). (link to Lyrics)

When it came to the point where it said, “Here I am laying in the hospital,” I said wait, what?! The man is in the hospital! “Bandaged from feet to head, ya see I'm in the state of shock, just that much from being dead,”

I said what happened to the man? Why is he in shock?! “I didn't think my woman could do something like this to me,” I said, wait the woman did that to him?!! Mind you, I had been singing this song for years.

---

In the book of Ezekiel God told him that his messages had become like songs to the people. They heard what he said but paid no attention to the words. (KJV) “And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.” Ezekiel 33:30-32

Have you ever gone to church, read a message, or heard a song that was so good—so powerful—that all you could say was "WOW"? Maybe the humor was so great you missed the deeper meaning, or the beat of the music made you move and clap without truly hearing the lyrics.

Have you ever been so focused on the feeling that you missed the powerful message God had for you?

I've found myself guilty of this, too. It's particularly easy to do when a speaker is both humorous and biblically sound. The delivery can be so compelling that, subtly, the profound message becomes just a good anecdote. The truth is, when we hear a powerful message, our focus can shift from the spiritual to the entertaining.

Catchy phrases, like "God is good, all the time," can lose their meaning, turning into a simple call-and-response rather than a heartfelt declaration of faith. Ezekiel 33:32 shows this same dynamic, where people listen to a message as if it were a beautiful song, enjoying the performance without truly internalizing the message and putting it into practice.

God speaks to us in so many ways—through a sermon, a devotional, or a song. But sometimes we treat His message like a lovely song, as He told Ezekiel.  We might enjoy the message and even "groove to it," but we often fail to truly hear what He's saying so we can apply it. It's a powerful reminder that hearing is not the same as doing. As James 1:22 reminds us, we deceive ourselves if we only listen to the word without putting it into practice and letting it change us.

Have you been guilty of grooving and not doing? James 1:23-24

Let's commit today to stop treating God's messages as mere entertainment. Instead, let's truly listen with the intention of putting His Word into action. From now on, when you read or hear a message, take a moment to reflect and ask: "What is God speaking to me right now? What does He want me to understand (Matthew 13:19)? What changes does He want me to make and put into practice (Romans 2:13)?

God says, " _____________ (insert your name) after the laugh, hear the message, and do it. If my song says lift your hands to praise, then lift your hands to praise Me Psalm 134:2. If my message says love the one that hurt you then pray for my strength and do what I called you to do Matthew 5:43-45. 

---

I actually slow danced to that song but if I really would have heard the words, I wouldn't have been able to dance because I would have been laughing too hard. (smile) [Click on it and listen. "It's a Thin Line Between Love and Hate," by the Persuaders,]

I know these messages may make you laugh but my sincere prayer is that when the laughter is over the Word stands and you hear God more than me. I pray God' s Word is a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path. Psalm 119:105

Today's Prayer

Dear Father,

We thank you Father for your faithfulness that never fails.  You said in your Word that you are faithful even when we are not. Thank you for always sending your Word to heal and deliver us. Help us Lord to hear your Word today and not only hear it but also do it. For only the doers are justified and blessed. 

We thank you for how you send the Word in such a way that we are able to joyfully commune with you. Help us not let that joyful way outweigh the message of what you are calling us to do. We thank You; we praise You, and we bless Your holy name for You are truly worthy of our praise.

It's in Jesus' name we humbly pray. Amen!

(Now make it personal)

Share your thoughts