But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 

                                                                                                                   James 1:22 

Finally, we want to look at the importance of not only hearing the word of God but putting it into practice. Today’s passage reminds us that we are to be “doers of the word” and “not merely hearers.” James also tells us that those who hear the word of God and do not do what it says delude themselves meaning that when we ignore God’s instructions, we are only fooling ourselves. Below are a few illustrations concerning being “doers of the word”: 

Do we pray like we believe Mark 11:24?

Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. 

                                                                                                               Mark 11:24

Jesus tells us that when we pray, we are to pray in faith, believing that what we are asking will come about. We could explore the multiple reasons why so many struggle with this truth. Past events, disappointment, doctrines that do not support this biblical instruction from Christ, whatever the case, Jesus tells us to believe as we pray. When we negate this truth, explaining it away, we effectively cease to be doers of the word. The positive is that we have a heavenly Father who desires to answer our prayers but when we pray, we must pray in faith.

Do we forgive like we believe Matthew 6:14-15?

For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

                                                                                                               Matthew 6:14-15

Jesus tells us that when we forgive, we are opening the door for His forgiveness to flow into our lives. But the second part of this declaration reveals that the opposite is true as well. When we fail to forgive, we effectively block the forgiveness of God in our own lives. Do we really believe that forgiving others effects the forgiveness of God in our own lives? We should. This is clearly what Jesus is telling us but how many times do we find ourselves harboring resentment and bitterness toward another person anyway? When we fail to forgive like Jesus instructs us to forgive, we cease to become doers of the word. The positive is that we have a loving, heavenly Father who is ready to forgive us as many times as is necessary and that His Spirit allows us to do the same for those who desperately need our forgiveness.

Do we treat others like we believe Matthew 7:12?

In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

                                                                                                                     Matthew 7:12

Often referred to as the Golden Rule, this simple yet powerful statement of Jesus sums up the entire Law and Prophets. That is the equivalent of saying that everything we read in the Old Testament can be brought into one statement: “Treat others the way that we want them to treat us.” Just prior to this instruction, Jesus gives us the “why” behind His declaration. Because God is superior to any earthly parent and because God will give what is good (beneficial, pleasant, joyful) to anyone who asks, because of this, therefore, we are to treat others with the same kindness and consideration. When we fail in this simple yet profound instruction, we are violating the Law of God and we cease to be doers of the word. The positive is that we have the opportunity to be different from the rest of the world by loving everyone, not just those who love us, and by caring for them and treating them appropriately.

Do we adjust our attitudes like we believe Luke 6:37-38?

Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.                                                           

                                                                                                               Luke 6:37-38

I don’t believe this could be any clearer: “Do not judge and you will not be judged.” “Do not condemn and you will not be condemned.” “Pardon and you will be pardoned.” “For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” I believe this biblical truth helps in separating the spiritually humble from the spiritually arrogant. Even though Jesus could not have made that any clearer, we still see judgmental attitudes, condemning personalities, and those who are offended at the idea of pardon in the church today. But the truth is that we have all transgressed the Law of God entirely (something that does not sit well with the religious, James 2:10). And when we fail to eliminate judgmental attitudes from our lives, we cease to be doers of the word and we bring upon ourselves the same standard of measure. But the positive is that we can, by the power of the Spirit, become a loving, kind, and forgiving people, not being judgmental rather telling others about the good news of Jesus Christ.

Do we love like we believe Romans 13:8-10?

Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

                                                                                                            Romans 13:8-10

I absolutely love this passage. “Owe nothing to anyone but to love them.” That is what Christians owe each other and it is what we owe others in the world as well. Paul goes on to summarize the Law, much like Jesus did, by reducing all of the commandments into a single statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Then he makes an amazing statement and one that we should all take to heart, “Love is the fulfillment of the Law.” When we love others like Paul is suggesting (and like Jesus did in Matthew 7:12), we are actually fulfilling the Law. When we fail to love this way, we cease to be doers of the word and we become transgressors of the Law. But the positive is that we have a choice. We can love others therefore fulfilling the Law of God. But this requires for us to know Him intimately and to know His goodness and His grace.

Given these five examples (and there are so many more), would you say that you are a doer of the word or merely a hearer? 

Taking up the sword of the Spirit means:

1. Using scripture to defend against the lies of the enemy
2. Understanding that the Bible is a living, active, effective, and powerful book
3. Living according to the instructions of scripture