“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what is says. James 1:22
James says something that is very simple yet very profound and often ignored: do what the word says. The Word he is talking about here is God’s Word–the Bible. Many people go to church every Sunday and hear the Word of God being preached, but if you ask them on Monday what was spoken about, many do not remember. They “heard” the Word but did not act upon it so do not remember it. Other people will read the Bible everyday, but ask them in the evening what they read that morning and many will not remember, they just remember going through the motions of reading the Bible.
Why does James say that if all you do is listen to the Word you are deceiving yourself? There are two types of listening: the physical (with your ears) and the psychological (with your heart and actions). Most people will listen with their ears. They hear what is being said. Very few, however, will act upon what is being said. It will do you no good to read about Jesus taking away sins–if you refuse to act upon that by repentance. Throughout the Bible the statement is said that you should not be afraid, yet how often do you ignore that statement and are afraid? Listening without action is deception to yourself. You think that you are hearing His Word, but in reality you just physically heard it, the Word did not get to your heart and cause action upon it.
Very few believers in the church will state that they do not believe the Bible is truth, yet very few will actually do what it says. If you do not act upon the Word–do you really believe it? Today, when you read the Bible, or hear a verse somewhere, act upon what you have heard. Put into practice what you state that you believe. If you believe in God you must also believe in His Word. If you believe in His Word you must also act upon it and do what it says. Do not allow your sinful nature to win this battle. The world will give you every reason to not do what the Bible says. God gives you all eternity for a reason to do what it says. God is looking out for the best for you. He has been around and knows everything. Trust Him and do what He says to do.
I pray that today God will help you to act upon hearing His Word; that God will open ways for you to hear more of His Word; that God will help you to not forget what you have heard; and that God will help you to have no fear in doing what needs to be done.
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