In The Word
Read: James 1:19-27
19 You know this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Now everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; 20 for a man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, ridding yourselvesof all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. 22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.25 But one who has looked intently at the perfect law, the law of freedom, and has continued in it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an active doer, this person will be blessed in what he does.
26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
James teaches us that we should listen intently to the person speaking, being careful to not miss one word. When God speaks through His Word or someone else, such as a pastor, we should pay careful attention because His words train and equip us to do what is right by His standard (2 Timothy 3:16). We can wrongly choose not to listen carefully if we have read a Bible verse before, or hear a sermon on a topic that we have already heard; that is pride. Instead, we should humbly be open to hear what God says, as it could be exactly what we need at that moment.
The proof of whether we carefully listened to God and heard His message will be by our words and actions. We may think we are living godly lives, but if our words are not controlled, gentle, uplifting, and in line with God’s Word, then we are deceived. Sometimes a person will use angry, loud words to get another person to do what is right, but that is not God’s way to accomplish Biblical behavior.
When we properly receive God’s Word, we will respond in active obedience and our conduct will match what we heard. We will take care of others, including those who are often overlooked and cannot care for themselves. We will remove all wickedness from our lives and no longer partake in ungodly behavior. Do your words and actions reveal that you have listened to God’s Word properly?