Proverbs 4:20 says, “My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.”
Loretta and I were on an airplane the other day and this lady near us read a book the entire trip. You could tell by the cover of the book that it wasn’t a survey on the Book of John. The picture on the front cover indicated the book was about lust and intrigue.
If we dwell on subjects the world has to offer like adultery, fornication, and big business deals where people are trying to rip you off, that’s what you’re going to have in your heart. It will also be what’s going to come out of your mouth. Personally, what I want to come out of my mouth is something that’s going to help me.
Getting Proverbs 4:20 down in your heart can change your life. It can take you from living a life of defeat into living a life of victory. “My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.”
When you get into the Word of God, you will start hungering for more Word and your faith will increase. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17).
Likewise, if you allow the devil to lure your flesh into the things of the world, you will not be satisfied with just a little bit. Sin is progressive.
I got a letter some time ago from a prisoner who was in the cell next to a nationally known rapist and serial killer. We had sent some Bibles through our prison ministry, Bibles Behind Bars, and he had received one through the prison chaplain. He told us the Bible he received from us was the only thing he had not stolen or gotten through some illegal means. It’s amazing there are still people in the United States who don’t have a Bible!
In his letter, he made reference to the serial killer in the cell next to him. Later in the week there was a news documentary about this particular serial killer. In the documentary they revealed some interesting details that were confirmed to me in this letter.
The strongest point was this: sin is progressive. The serial killer didn’t wake up one day and decide to start murdering women. It was said that he started out looking at newsstand pornographic literature. After a while that wasn’t enough to satisfy his lust. It just got worse and worse. A lot of people don’t realize that the things of the devil are progressive, just like the things of God are progressive.
It’s the same way with our words. We can become so used to hearing things that are bad that we no longer think they’re bad anymore. The Bible says in 1 Timothy 4:2 our consciences become seared because we hear something that’s wrong for so long that we don’t realize it’s wrong anymore. In fact, we think it’s right.
Excerpt permission granted by Larry Ollison Ministries
Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.