Written ~ 10-13-2023
James 1:22-25
23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.
25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.”
For this Bible Study, let’s really concentrate on James 1:22, and learn the importance of “doing” not just “listening.”
“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
It is quite easy to go to a church service or listen to a message online and as soon as the lesson is over, we forget what was said. Why does that happen? Are we truly participating with our hearts and minds to understand what the Word of God is saying to us? God did not inspire the Words in the Bible to wind up being something believers look over briefly and not pay attention to its meaning for our lives. If we think that simply listening to a sermon is all we need to live our lives for the Lord, we might be missing a lot of what God wants us to learn from Scripture. Listening a great sermon should supplement what we are doing in our personal study time. But, let me say this, anything and everything we can listen to or read that gives us proficient understanding and knowledge of the things God is teaching us is greatly encouraged! Let’s just take time to really listen to what the Bible says and what it says in James 1:22, “…You must do what it says…”
Let’s go all the way back to the Book of Exodus where God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses. You may think that because those commands were given to the people of Israel way back in the Old Testament that they aren’t important to us today. That couldn’t be further from the truth. So, let’s explore those commandments by placing them in our world, our lives, today.
The Ten Commandments are found in Exodus 20:1-17 ~ I will paraphrase them here…
- You must not have or obey any other god but the Almighty God in Heaven.
- Do not use the Name of God or the name His Son Jesus Christ as a cuss word
- The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse His name.
- Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
- You have six days each week for your ordinary work
- The seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God
- Honor your father and mother.
- Obey and respect your parents
- Then you will live a long, full life…
- You must not murder
- To hate someone is considered murder in the Lord’s sight
- You must not commit adultery
- Even if you lust after someone in your mind and even if you do not put that lust into action, it is considered adultery in the Lord’s sight
- You must not steal (self-explanatory)
- You must not testify falsely against your neighbor
- You must not tell lies about your friends, family, neighbors
- You must not covet your neighbor’s house, wife or husband or anything else that belongs to your neighbor
- You must not desire, lust after, crave, wish for all the things that your friends or family have
In John 13:34-35 Jesus gives us another command,
34 “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
After we read all of the commandments given to us by the Lord, do we keep each and every one? Yes? OK, then a further and in-depth study in the New Testament will give us even more comprehensive instructions from the Lord that we must follow. I believe wholeheartedly that’s why James said what he did in our verses for today. Because God knows our hearts and how easily we get distracted and stray. Verses 1:23 and 24 say, “For if you listen to the word but don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.” Basically, James is saying, we glance at Scripture, walk away, and forget all we have learned. Why is that? Well, we have an evil nature that wants to do battle within our hearts and minds.
Look at James 1:21,
21 “So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.”
That’s a pretty good reason for us to do what the Word says, “…it has the power to save your souls.”
1 Peter 2:8b says,
“…They stumble because they do not obey God’s Word…”
Then 1 John 2:5 and 6 say,
“But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love Him. That is how we know we are living in Him. 6 Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.”
And I absolutely love what the Apostle John says in 1 John 2:14,
I have written to you who are God’s children because you know the Father.
I have written to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning.
I have written to you who are young in the faith because you are strong.
God’s word lives in your hearts, and you have won your battle with the evil one.
God’s Word lives in our hearts. It’s true! When we study the Scriptures, it becomes part of you, it becomes your livelihood! Pretty soon it’s all you want to think about, talk about and its light is what everyone sees through you!
So what happens when we decide not to study the Bible, when we feel it’s not important for today? Look at what it says in Isaiah 8:20,
“Look to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict His Word are completely in the dark.”
As believers we shouldn’t be left in the dark. Darkness is what we escaped by accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior. If by our own negligence we don’t read and study the Bible and we are led astray, we have no one else to blame but ourselves. James 1:22 says, “…you’re only fooling yourselves…”
The Book of Exodus also says in 16:28,
“The Lord asked Moses, “How long will these people refuse to obey my commands and instructions?”
Even the father-in-law of Moses said to him in Exodus 18:20,
“Teach them God’s decrees and give them His instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives.”
Not only is the Lord questioning our obedience, but Moses’ father-in-law is also letting us know that we need to be taught how to conduct our lives and also to teach others.
Exodus 24:3 says,
“Then Moses went down to the people and repeated all the instructions and regulations the Lord had given him. All the people answered with one voice, “We will do everything the Lord has commanded.”
So, from page one of the Bible to the very last page, we have instructions from God that need to be honored. It’s not enough to just listen, if we are not doing what the Word says, we will be fooling ourselves and missing out on the blessings God wants to lavish on us! Are we able to say, “We will do everything the Lord has commanded.”
The verse we really need to consider after everything we have learned today…
James 4:17,
“Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.”
Believers, we have the responsibly to learn from Scripture, not only for ourselves, but we need to teach others the importance of obeying God’s Word. Don’t just listen, do…
~AMEN~
For those of you who have not yet made the decision to answer the Lord’s call. Will you consider it today? To learn more about the inspired Words of God? To live an obedient life?
If so, contemplate your life, would you rather live in peace with the Lord? Or continue along the darkened path of disobedience. My prayer is that you would answer the voice of Jesus and give your life to Him.
If you’re ready, He’s waiting! Pray this humble prayer…
Dear Jesus, You know my heart, all the things I have done and said. Please forgive me for my unbelief. Please forgive me for all of my sins. I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You came to earth to die on the cross for my sins. I believe You rose from the dead to give me freedom from sin and death. By faith through believing in Who You Are, I accept You as my Lord and Savior. Come into my life, cleanse this heart of mine, white as snow. Help me not to doubt any longer and breathe life into me, fill me with Your light. Thank You Jesus! Amen.
If you solemnly prayed this prayer, tell at least one person, so they can share in your joy!! I rejoice with you! All the angels in Heaven rejoice with you! And just as Jesus has said, “Peace be with you.”