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Response
In the book of James, a highly practical book, we encounter a very practical directive: “Do not simply listen to the word, and thus deceive yourselves. Do what it says” «But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. », (James 1:22). Alternatively, as the ESV phrases it, “Be doers of the word.” James encourages individuals who heed God’s Word to exhibit a genuine dedication to the Lord by responding to what they hear with obedient actions.
The original text implies that we must continually strive to be doers of God’s Word. True faith demands enduring obedience. Those who act upon the Word are the antithesis of Sunday morning Christians who attend church, listen to a sermon, and consider it merely an intriguing spiritual discussion. Jesus taught that true blessings are reserved for those who not only hear the Word but also put it into practice: “But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” (Luke 11:28, NLT).
James emphasizes the importance of putting into action what we hear. He asserts that we deceive ourselves if we believe we can be mere listeners without also being doers of the Word. Those who genuinely love God are the ones who follow His commandments (John 14:15;1 John 5:2-3). God desires individuals who not only hear His Word but also become true disciples of Jesus, followers who obey the teachings of the Lord out of knowledge and love for their heavenly Father (John 14:23-24).
Jesus issued a strong warning to those who hear God’s words but fail to act upon 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. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, and do many miracles in your name?’ Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers!’ Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. It collapsed with a great crash” (Matthew 7:21-27;CSB).
James underscores his command to be doers of the Word with two illustrations, one negative and one positive. In both cases, he uses the idea of a mirror: “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” (James 1:23-24;ESV). In this first example, James compares an apathetic listener of the Word to someone who looks carefully at himself, but then walks away and forgets. He disregards what he saw, letting it drop from his mind. 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 it does not penetrate to the heart.
In James’ second example, he describes a listener who hears and absorbs God’s Word, taking it into his heart and letting it change his life: “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. (James 1:25;ESV).
In his doing” «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. », (James 1:25, ESV). The active listener is one who hears with genuine faith. This listener is alert and eager to learn from God’s message. He or she wants to receive from God and do what He says.
Jesus affirmed that God’s Word is the perfect law that produces liberty: “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32;ESV;see also verse 36). Obedience to the Word of God brings freedom from sin and death (Romans 5:19;Romans 6:11-23;Galatians 3:23—4:7;5:13-14).
The Word of God is not just a beautiful piece of literature to be savored and enjoyed. Its purpose goes beyond provoking thought and inviting meditation. It requires more than memorization and sharing with others. It demands a change of heart that prompts a change of behavior. The Word of God is to be obeyed.
