Hearer or Doer?
We have now come to the last six verses in the first chapter of James. As James has been doing all along, he is not holding back in these last verses. We have seen James offer insight into where temptations come from (James 1:14). We know that we must ask in faith when we approach God (James 1:6). And now James continues to offer instruction in how a born-again Christian should act.
“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.”
James 1:22-27
James continues to hit at the heart of the matter when it comes to a Christian’s conduct. Many Christian’s today have fooled themselves into thinking that they are walking rightly. They believe that going to church, singing along, and nodding at opportune moments is enough to be called a Christian. This type of “Christian” is exactly who James is calling out now, one who is a hearer of the word, but they do not act upon it. “22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22. These “Christians” hear the sermon and believe that it is good advice, but once they get away from the church building, they forget what they heard and continue to act in ways that are not in line with what the Bible teaches. In our previous post of James 1:19-21 we saw how James was giving us a command, not an option, when it came to follow Christ. We needed to be swift to hear by being attentive, slow to speak and evaluating what is being told to us (not taking everything at face value but taking it back to the word of God), and slow to wrath by not rejecting God’s word when it is pointing out areas that we are failing in. James continues this call to action by telling us that we cannot be hearers of the word only. We must be doers of the word.
As we have stated before, the book of James is a book of examination. The Bible itself makes us see ourselves as we truly are in terms of our failures to stand by God’s standard as we face conviction by the Holy Spirit. However, the book of James makes the reader reflect on their personal walk with God, we are still convicted by the Holy Spirit but through the book of James we have to reflect more upon our actions as followers of Christ.
This is why James describes the Word of God as a mirror, “23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.” James 1:23-25. When we are only glancing at the word of God, not actively studying it and seeking how to apply it to our lives, we are like the person who glances at the mirror and then immediately forgets what they look like. In today’s world, anytime we glance in the mirror it is to make sure that our appearance is presentable. If we saw a stray hair, food in our teeth, or our clothes out of line we wouldn’t walk away without fixing those issues. So why do we do that with the word of God?
Simply going through the motions when it comes to a Bible study or church service is the same as not removing the food from our teeth. We are simply glancing at the Word but not fixing the issues that it is pointing out to us, this is a mistake if we wish to have a deeper relationship with God. A glance into the Word of God leads to carelessly reading it and not being able to see how it can be applied to our lives. This in turn also opens the doors for us to fall victim to false teachings. We forget what the word means and drift away. The book of Hebrews offers several warning passages when it comes to drifting away from the Word.
Hearing the Word of God is not the same as obeying it. We must take God’s Word seriously, “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.” James 1:25. Looking intently into the mirror that is God’s Word offers guidance on how we can have a mature spiritual walk. This maturity in our walk with God will allow us freedom from sin in our lives. “31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32
The last two verses of this chapter offer the reader a three part test. The first is found in verse 26, “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.” This is a test to ourselves, and it is addressed to those who have convinced themselves that they are doers of the Word by outward acts. However, their speech and conduct do not hold to the Word of God. We have all seen these types of believers, and may have been one ourselves at one point. They are those who go to church, know the Sunday school answers but when they are away their speech and actions do not reflect God. This is the same person who has deluded themselves in verse 22 and do not allow the Word of God to show them where they are lacking. Proverbs 27:19 offers a great example of this type of person, “As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.” Our actions stem from our heart, who is on the throne of our heart will be seen by what our actions do. This means that if God is sitting on the throne, then our actions will be in line with what God desires, if the temptations of the world are on the throne then our actions will be more in line with that. This is not to say that our actions are what cause us to be saved, but it is by our actions that others will know if we are following God.
Verse 27 shows the last two tests that the first chapter of the book of James has. These tests are to others and to the world. “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.” In the first part of this verse, we see that pure religion is to visit orphans and widows. A true follower of Christ will help those who need it around them, just as Christ did while He was on earth. This does not mean to say that we can solve the issue of poverty or homelessness, after all Jesus Christ says this regarding it “7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me.” Mark 14:7 but when we can help out we need to. This is one way our actions will reflect Jesus to the world.
The second half of verse 27 is a test to the world. We have already seen that the world is full of temptations and seeking to lead people away from Christ. James is only reiterating what the Bible teaches on this, “15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” 1 John 2:15-17. We are called to follow God, not the world. “15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written: “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;” 1 Peter 1:15-17.
While James truly does hit at the heart of the matter when it comes to a Christian’s conduct. He does this so that we as the readers can reflect upon our actions today by using the mirror of God’s Word. James offers great conviction if we have deluded ourselves into believing that we can simply listen to the Word but not follow its instruction. However, there is a verse in the book of John that I think is appropriate now that we have seen what, through James, we are commanded to do. “17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” John 13:17. We know how we should treat and respond to the Word of God, now if we do so correctly, we will be blessed.
Seek the truth and encourage one another,
Alex