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James 1:22
“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
We have reached the end of our study of the book of James, and we pray that it has benefited you. This epistle gives much instruction on the practice of authentic Christianity, and we ignore it to our peril.
James 1:22 gives us one main idea that unites all of James’ teaching on the various topics that the Apostle addresses: “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” More than anything else, James wants our actions to match our profession, for our deeds to line up with the truths that we claim to believe. The Christian faith is not a collection of truths that we believe with our hearts and minds but that have no impact on our lives. Instead, authentic Christianity encompasses both faith and practice. If the truths that we claim to believe do not shape our actions, we do not actually believe them and our religion is worthless. Thus, we must not only hear the Word of God but do or obey it as well.
Doing the Word means that we put our confidence in the Lord’s power and goodness into practice by asking for His good gifts with sincere faith, mortifying any doubts that God will bless us with wisdom and endurance (vv. 1–18). To do the Word and not walk away from hearing it unchanged, we are to be quick to hear and slow to anger, seeking to remain undefiled as we bridle our tongues and care for orphans and widows (vv. 19–27). Doers of the Word do not show partiality, and they understand that all of God’s law of liberty applies to us, not just parts of it (2:1–13). True faith, in fact, bears the fruit of obedience. Our good works are not the grounds of our salvation, but individuals with authentic saving faith do good works, maturing in our friendship with God as we serve both Him and our neighbor (vv. 14–26). When we do the Word, we are careful with what we say and look for our words and our actions to be informed by the wisdom from above, which is a gift of God (ch. 3). Furthermore, doers of the Word flee worldliness, submit to God, resist the devil, and do not boast about tomorrow but humbly trust in divine providence (ch. 4). Finally, doers of the Word endure suffering with patience and prayer, keeping their promises and seeking to restore people who wander from the truth (ch. 5).
Doing the Word requires much of us, but God has brought us to new spiritual life and granted us the strength to obey (1:18). Trusting in Christ alone, let us walk by the Spirit and do the Word.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
God by His grace has brought us to faith and united us to Christ. By that same grace, He both commands believers to be doers of the Word and grants us the willingness and ability to obey Him. When we fall short—and we will—His grace remains on us and we are to repent and endeavor after new obedience. Let us identify one area in which we have not been doers of the Word, repent, and seek to obey, asking the Lord to enable us to serve Him.
For further study
- Deuteronomy 29:29
- Proverbs 3:1
- Matthew 7:24–27
- 1 John 5:3
The bible in a year
- Judges 6–7
- Luke 8:40–56