Doing What the Word Says

James 1:22-24 ESV
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.  For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.”

I have used this scripture before, but I use it as a reminder to myself that I cannot read the Word without action. James urges people who listen to God’s Word to demonstrate a sincere commitment to the Lord by reacting to what they read or hear, with obedient action.

Jesus gave a stern warning to people who hear the words of God but don’t act on them: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who DOES the will of my Father in heaven.” Matthew 7:21 ESV

James compares an apathetic listener of the Word to someone who looks carefully at himself in a mirror, but then walks away and forgets what he looks like. This isn’t just lazy listening. It’s listening without any real faith. The Word may enter the person’s ear, but the power of the word does not penetrate to the heart.

Prayer:
Lord, when I read Your words, I’m responsible to put Your words into action. Never let me read Your word and quickly dismiss Your words, but let Your words permeate my being and change me forever! In Your name Lord, Amen!