How Do You Respond to the Word of God? Insights from Venerable Stephen Wolemonwu

In a profound reflection on spiritual engagement, Venerable Stephen Wolemonwu, Rector of The Ibru Ecumenical Centre in Agbarha-Otor, delves into the critical question: "What do you do with the word of God that you hear?" Drawing from biblical scriptures and personal insights, he highlights the varied human responses to divine communication and the factors that shape these reactions.

The Divine Communication: God Speaks in Diverse Ways

Venerable Wolemonwu begins by emphasizing that God actively communicates with humanity through multiple channels. As stated in Psalm 119:105, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path," underscoring the guiding role of God's word. He references Hebrews 1:1-2, which explains that God has spoken in the past through prophets and now through His Son, Jesus Christ. This communication can manifest as an audible voice, through nature, events, dreams, or revelations, tailored to individual circumstances.

Human Reactions to God's Word

Despite God's efforts to reach out, people react in diverse and often contradictory ways. Some fail to hear due to busyness or inattention, while others doubt or interpret the message from a limited human perspective. Venerable Wolemonwu outlines two primary responses:

Acceptance and Action: Embracing God's word leads to faith, personal growth, and transformation, fostering blessings, guidance, peace, and intimacy with God.
Rejection: Often stemming from a lack of spiritual root, offense at hardships, or outright resistance, this response causes individuals to fall away from divine truth.

Factors Influencing Reactions

Venerable Wolemonwu identifies several key factors that determine how people respond to moral and spiritual teachings:

Cultural Context: Morals are interpreted differently across societies; what may provoke outrage in one culture could be accepted in another.
Individual Personality: Traits like empathy and openness make some more receptive to moral lessons, while rigidity can lead to resistance.
Social Influence: Public sharing of morals, such as on social media, can amplify reactions, spreading outrage or agreement rapidly.

Biblical Examples of Resistance

Drawing from scripture, Venerable Wolemonwu cites Ezekiel Chapter 2, where God sent the prophet to a rebellious house of Israel, warning that they would not listen. Similarly, in Matthew 10:1-22, Jesus sent His disciples to the lost sheep of Israel, anticipating rejection and hatred despite offering solutions to their problems. These examples illustrate a longstanding pattern of human rebellion against divine messages.

Reasons for Resisting God's Word

Venerable Wolemonwu categorizes the reasons for resistance into internal and external factors, which hinder acceptance of the word that can save and impart wisdom.

Internal Factors: Heart and Mind Barriers

Pride and Self-reliance: Many resist because they believe they do not need God, relying instead on their own wisdom and strength.
Unbelief and Doubt: Skepticism about God's existence or promises leads to rejection of His word.
Human Nature: The Bible describes the human heart as deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9), making people naturally resistant to divine authority.
Fear of Change: Accepting God's word often requires personal transformation, which can threaten comfort zones and established lifestyles.

External Influences: Worldly Distractions

Temptation: The lure of sin and worldly pleasures can deafen individuals to God's voice.
Negative Voices: Influences from culture, peers, or media may discourage obedience to God.
Satanic Opposition: Scripture highlights the enemy's role in blinding minds and sowing deceptive lies, fostering rebellion against truth.
Life's Challenges: Even good activities and busyness can lead to excuses that limit a deeper walk with God, as materialism and the pursuit of success distract from spiritual priorities.

In conclusion, Venerable Stephen Wolemonwu calls for introspection on how we engage with God's word, urging a response of obedience and internalization to reap spiritual benefits. His insights serve as a timely reminder in today's fast-paced world, where distractions often overshadow divine guidance.