LISTEN . . . then obey

Listening is not simply hearing but requires focusing on the words and sounds. When we listen to the sounds of birds, we immediately begin to look for the birds making the sounds. When listening to music, we can easily drift into another scene within our minds and refocus on the words we hear rather than our current circumstances. Listening leads to a reaction . . . 

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)

The word Shema in Hebrew, used in this verse, means "to hear or listen". However, it can also mean obeying or listening with the intent to obey. So as God spoke to Israel, He is also speaking to us today. We are not simply to be hearers of the Word, (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%201%3A22-25&version=NKJV) as James wrote, but doers! We are to focus on the words and obey them! The words we listen to from God should cause us to act in obedience.