Be doers of the Word

“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. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” James 1:22–25

We may know a lot about the Bible, but our actions will show what we believe. Charles Spurgeon once said, “If your religion does not make you holy, it will damn you. It is simply painted pageantry to go to hell in.” So James encourages us to stop talking and listen to the word of God, like a humble servant of Christ. If we would dwell on the perfect law of liberty, we will hear our Master’s delight in us and receive the truth that will guard us against sin. Knowing this truth sets us free to reject the wickedness that tears us away from our Lord and to love each other as we love ourselves.

Questions

• What is meekness?
• Would you say you are quick to hear and slow to speak? If you’re more inclined toward speaking, do you communicate through your actions that your words are more important than others’? Why is that?
• What’s one thing that would help keep you unstained from the world?
• How could this small group help each other understand and apply the law of liberty?

Prayer

Lord God, we cannot thank you enough for the righteousness and freedom we have in Christ Jesus. Though you have called us to worship you, you have also made us capable of worshiping you. You have called us your servants, but you have served us since before we were born. What can we offer you that you have not given us? Oh, Lord, forgive us for trying to impress you with eloquent words or pageantry. Forgive us for the ways we deceive ourselves. Help us hear you. Drive us to your Word and quiet our minds so that we may love you more than anything or anyone else. Amen.

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