James 1:21-25: Being a Doer of the Word

James 1:21-25: Being a Doer of the Word

Are you waking the walk and talking the talk (James 1:22 -But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.)?  When you have had a soul stirring Bible study but then have to go to an ungodly environment at school or work, do those Words stick with you?  Do you remember that you are called to be a witness and testify of God's greatness (John 16:15 - And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.).  Do you remember what the Bible says about morality and refuse to participate in the things you know God hates (1 Corinthians 15:33-34, AMP -Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals. ”Be sober-minded [be sensible, wake up from your spiritual stupor] as you ought, and stop sinning;)?  Or do you conveniently "forget" all you read in the Bible about right and wrong and just do whatever you feel is right regardless of the eternal consequences.  Do you become a hearer only and not a doer?

You may have just had a spirit filled prayer and worship time and felt God move in your heart.  But as soon as you say "amen", you are faced with rude people saying and doing heartless things that test all nine Fruits of the Spirit.  Do you remember the power of God you so recently felt and call upon His power to help you forgive the cruel people and show kindness to all whether they deserve it or not (John 15:12 -This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.)? Or do you only care about what makes you happy and not care about what is expected of you by the only King of Kings, Jesus Christ? Do you become a hearer only and not a doer?

God wants all of us to access His power by overcoming the bondages of sin (Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.) and wants to enable us to be doers.  He gave us His life-changing words through Godly writers to remind us to call upon the Holy Spirit to help us combat temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13 - There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.) as well as giving us peace in the storms (John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.).  

I am horrible at memorizing anything not put to music, so I may not always remember where the Bible says a certain thing, but because I try to read every day, I can tell you what the Bible says on almost any subject.  It helps to access the Word of God from my heart so I can remember to be a doer of His Word (Psalm 119:11 - Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.), and so also helps me stay calm in the midst of cancer or the loss of a loved one (Philippians 4:7 - And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.).  It also helps me remember how I should treat others.  When I should stand up against a false message or walk away from someone God does not wany me to be unequally yoked with.

When we study God's word regularly, it makes it possible for us to discern right from wrong; it makes us wise in all areas of our lives.  2 Timothy 3:1-13 (not posted) warns against false teachers that will try to lead us astray from God's Truths.  This is why Paul is reminding Timothy to recall all he has learned.  He also reminds that scripture, not man's false doctrines, will help us know how to live righteously. 

(2 Timothy 2:15) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

(2 Timothy 3:14-17) But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Nothing is equal to the power of the Word of God and time spent praising Jesus, therefore, remaining in a state of holy reverence will help us spiritually and mentally be capable of being a doer of God's Word and not hearers only.

(James 1:21-25) Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.