Got Fruit ?

If you’ve ever had to take part in some type of corporate, government or military oriented Computer Based Training (CBT) or Web Based Training (WBT), you’ve probably experienced your share of both engaging training as well “training” that was boring. The more that one is interacting (doing something) with the training, the less likely the training is to be boring.

One of the additional hats that I wore at my job was within the Multimedia & Instructional Systems Design (ISD) field; assisting in the development of Computer Based Training (CBT) and Web Based Training (WBT).

Part of the ISD process is to do a needs assessment, as well as target audience identification & evaluation. Then there’s identification of learning deficiencies, practical exercise & test design, to measure how well the learner comprehended the material presented. Before the user tests, they may be given an opportunity to review the material covered (instruction), followed by practical application, a practical exercise (PE),pre-test or performance testing. These tests varied but required that the user actually perform a specific task or set of tasks per the instructions given in the training.

James 1:22 (KJV) in a similar manner, tells us that if we are to avoid spiritual boredom, it’s going to require that we do something. Hoping for spiritual osmosis to bring about holiness in one’s life, isn’t going to happen. Acquisition of knowledge is great, but only carries you so far. As James 1:22 tells us, if we’re not doing what the Word tells us we ought to be doing, then we are deceiving ourselves. Failing to do (apply) as preached breeds boredom & a sense of being unfulfilled.

James 1:22 (KJV)
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

HEARERS ONLY vs DOERS

“hearers only”
The phrase “hearers only” comes from the Greek word AKROATES, which was a word used in classical Greek times to describe people who audited a class rather than taking the class for credit. (sounds like my first stab at college). These people would attend & hear lectures to be stimulated intellectually. AKROATES were like groupies of a modern day rock band; following their favorite speakers/lecturers from town to town. The AKROATES would acquire vast amounts of knowledge… then talk among themselves about the knowledge received to make themselves appear to be knowledgeable in the eyes of other people.

“doers”
Following up in action (on the word received), keeps us busy enough in being obedient, that boredom doesn’t have a moment to get a foothold in our life. When we go from merely hearing the word to doing as the Word says, changes inevitably occur in our life such as:

• God, becomes the focus in our life(& 100% of our attention is turned to Him)
• serious prayer life develops
• discipline takes effect
• a willingness to learn to crucify the flesh

Questions to ponder:

• Am I serious about the Word of God & it’s application in my life?
• Am I an “auditor”/AKROATES, that hears the word (yet has no intention of actually applying all of it to my life)?
• Am I acting on (doing) what the word says?
• How does God see me? Would He consider me a “hearer” or a “doer”?

Grace and peace be with you.