How quickly do you obey God? When you hear His voice or read clear instructions in Scripture, are you decisive in your response? While there are definitely times when waiting is called for (Psalm 27:14 NIV), followers of Jesus need to learn to cultivate a lifestyle of quick obedience. Hesitation often leads to inaction, and inaction cements us in place.Jesus identified this condition as “hardened hearts,” rendering a person spiritually unable to see, unable to understand, unable to hear, and unable to remember.It’s often easy to put off obedience until later, or to try substituting it with other good deeds. But, James cuts through all the excuses with a stern warning: “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them” (James 4:17 NIV). Read that again. When you know what to do, and don’t do it, it’s sin. And sin always has consequences (See Galatians 6:7 NASB).That’s why when God speaks, you need to be quick to act, so that your heart remains moldable and pliable, your eyes are open, and your ears are sensitive to God’s voice.