Ever had a conversation where you and someone else keep missing each other? You hear their words. They hear yours. But somehow, neither of you feels understood.
It happens in our relationship with God too. We hear a sermon, read a Bible verse, or sense that God is challenging us about something. But hearing the message and understanding what it means for our lives are not always the same thing.
You can know a Bible verse and still struggle to live it. Understanding begins when truth starts shaping your choices.
We live with a constant stream of opinions, advice, podcasts, sermons, notifications, and social media takes. Everyone has something to say, and sometimes our own thoughts are the loudest of all.
The challenge is not simply hearing more. It is learning what deserves our attention.
Jesus says, “Consider carefully how you listen” (Luke 8:18). This reminds us to pay attention to what we allow to shape us. Not every voice deserves the same weight, and not every opinion deserves a place in our hearts.
You can know a Bible verse and still struggle to live it. You can agree with a sermon and forget it by Monday.
James 1:22 puts it plainly: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
Understanding is more than collecting information about God. It means letting His truth shape your choices, your character, and how you treat people.
That might mean choosing honesty when lying would be easier. Forgiving someone when you would rather stay angry. Or admitting you were wrong in an argument instead of trying to win it.
Sometimes we do not understand why God asks something of us. That does not mean we should switch off our questions or pretend we have everything figured out.
Bring those questions to Him. Pray. Read Scripture in context. Talk to a trusted Christian mentor. Give yourself space to reflect instead of rushing to the next thing.
And when you recognise what God is asking you to do, take the next step.
Spiritual growth is not about becoming the person who knows the most Bible facts. It is about becoming more like Christ.
That includes the way you speak to your family, respond to criticism, handle disagreements, and treat people who see the world differently from you.
So the next time you hear something from God’s Word, ask yourself: What does this mean for me, and what will I do with it?
Because understanding is not just about what you hear. It is about what you allow to change you.
Written by Kabelo Milton.
The views expressed herein are those of the writer and not I Am Youth.
If you need to talk to someone, reach out to our 24-hour free Youth counselling service on 076 037 6345 (WhatsApp, SMS, or Call).
So, newsflash: your life matters. Not because you have everything figured out, your future is sorted, or your Instagram looks good. Your life has value because you were created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). That value doesn’t disappear when life gets messy. And one of the most powerful things you can grow in this life? Gratitude. You can be grateful and still be struggling. Gratitude is not denial—it is remembering […]
I Am Youth web radio is the go-to platform for today’s young adults. Our team of young, charismatic influencers is based in South Africa. We produce high-quality content on TikTok social media and YouTube. Our primary goal is to infiltrate the spaces that young people already occupy.
