BE DOERS OF THE WORD AND NOT JUST HEARERS

PROCLAMATION

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness … and receive with meekness … The Word, … But be ye doers of The Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”  James 1:19-22 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by James, the half-brother of Jesus, The Christ, (Galatians 1:19) under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the converted Jewish believers of the early church who were scattered after the crucifixion of Christ. (James 1:1) He wrote this letter to encourage them to keep the faith in the face of all types of trials. (James 1:2-4)  He told them to pray, and to believe and not doubt that their prayers would be answered. (James 1:6-8)  He also told them that blessed is the man who perseveres under trials for he will be rewarded. (James 1:12)  James ends this first chapter by urging them to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.  Then he tells them that they should not be just hearers of The Word of God, but they should also be doers of The Word. (James 1:19-22)  Doers will be blessed for that which they do. (James 1:25)  He also says that they should keep themselves from becoming polluted by the world around them. (James 1:27)

 

APPLICATION

Unfortunately, most of the people in the world today do not read The Bible.  They watch and “read” the people of God.  Therefore, James encouraged all believers to be living examples of The Word of God.  The Apostle Paul expressed the same thought in his letter to the believers in Corinth. (2 Corinthians 3:2-3)  We need to understand that our actions will speak louder to people than our words. Therefore we cannot just read and talk about The Word of God, we have to also live it.  We have to “walk the walk” and walk God’s way.  It is the behavior of believers that will have the most profound effect on the world that we live in.  It is for the Christ-like behavior of believers that we will receive special blessings. (James 1:25)