The Book of James: Being Doers of the Word & Not Hearers Only
James 1:19–27 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. 26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (NIV)
THREE WAYS GOD’S WORD TEACHES US TO DEVELOP AN AUTHENTIC FAITH
1. BE OPEN TO GOD’S WORD
James 1:21b …humbly accept the Word planted in you… (NIV)
Heart Posture for Receiving God’s Word
James 1:19 Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak… (NIV)
James 1:19b …slow to become angry… (NIV)
James 1:21a Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent… (NIV)
James 1:21b …humbly accept the word planted in you… (NIV)
2. REFLECT ON GOD’S WORD
James 1:23-24 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. (NIV)
How to Reflect on God’s Word
1. Read It
James 1:25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law… (NIV)
2. Stay With It
James 1:25 …and continues in it… (NIV)
Psalm 119:97 Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. (NIV)
3. Hold Onto It
James 1:25 …not forgetting what they have heard… (NIV)
Psalm 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (NIV)
3. LIVE OUT GOD’S WORD
James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (NIV)
· Real Faith Shows Up in Action