WISDOM FOR THE DAY DEVOTIONAL
By Bishop Mike Okonkwo
THURSDAY JUNE 18th 2026
TOPIC: PRACTICE WHAT YOU ARE BEING TAUGHT
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” James 1:22 KJV
The book of James focuses on practical Christianity. It guides you on how to practically live a life of faith. We deceive ourselves when we fail to put what we are hearing into practice. Every service day, we gather in church, we sing praises, dance, listen to a good sermon, and fellowship with one another.
But there is no point in our gathering if we fail to put into practice all that we come to receive. Now, don’t misunderstand me, it is good to sing and dance, hear the good Word, and fellowship together. But if that is where it all ends, then we have missed out on the purpose of the church.
The book of Matthew 5:16 says: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (NKJV). When you put into practice what you are being taught from the pulpit, then you are shining your light.
It is not a hidden fact that Africans are the most religious people. But the question remains: What is the net effect on society? How is being a Christian affecting your community? How are you impacting the next person?
Remember that we are the light of the world, and we are the salt of the earth. So, why is society not feeling our impact? It is because a lot of us are not acting on what we are hearing. Yes, we hear good sermons and teaching, and we even take notes. But more often than not, once we leave the service, that is the end of it.
Beloved, it is time for us to arise and take our place. Today, information can be accessed at the press of a button. So, what we are faced with is not a problem of lack of information but an action problem. We live in a world that knows too much and does too little. People glory in the fact that they know, but very few apply the knowledge they have.
Further Reading: Matthew 5:13-16, James 1:19-25.