In James Chapter One, James gives us several imperatives – be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger (v. 19); he also gives another imperative in verse twenty-two, “be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only.” In every English translation I considered, the word “doer” seemed to be the unanimous consensus of the translators. The word in the Greek is remarkably interesting, it is the word from which our English word “poet” comes from. In the most basic form, the word means to make, create, or compose. We are to be poets (doers) of the word of God. In Ephesians 2:10, Paul declares that we are God’s workmanship. The word for workmanship is where the English word “poem” originates. Interestingly, the Bible then teaches us that we are to be poets writing God’s poem in this world. Imagine a poet who never writes a poem! If the child of God is not doing God’s Word, we are deceiving ourselves.
With these thoughts in mind, let’s consider the three verses assigned to us.
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (Jas. 1:22). Notice clearly, the Bible teaches that we are to be obedient to God’s Word; not simply a hearer of God’s Word.
We know there are far too many who believe that simply hearing God’s Word is enough. In their minds, it seems, being a “hearer” is enough. Again, the Bible is clear; we must hear God’s Word, and then we must do God’s Word.
On the day of Pentecost, as recorded in Acts Chapter Two; Peter and the other eleven apostles preached the first Gospel sermon. A portion of Peter’s sermon is recorded for us (Verse 40 tells us, “And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation”). In this sermon, we see the principle laid out that James describes, in verse 37, “when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart….” Later, we are told, “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41).
When Jesus confronted Saul/Paul on the road to Damascus, Saul said, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do” (Acts 9:6). The Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved” (Acts 16:30)? These examples could be multiplied many times. The point is clear, James tells us to be doers of the word of the God. Otherwise, we are self-deceived.
James continues with an illustration,
For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a mirror: for he beholding himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was (Jas. 1:23-24).
The illustration James uses is quite interesting. A person looks at himself in a mirror, sees a smudge of grease on his face, and gets distracted and walks away with the grease still on his face. No doubt, when he realizes his mistake, he is going to be embarrassed; but it is too late. As we consider this verse, we also need to notice that James uses a word in the original language, which is not a simple, casual glance; it means observe fully, to consider, to perceive. This man considered himself in the mirror, and then immediately forgot about the smudge on his face.
In verse 25 James writes,
But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this mane shall be blessed in his deed.”
James is teaching us that we must consider ourselves in the light of the teaching of the Bible. This is not a casual glance. It is a full, careful, insightful look at what kind of person we are. The apostle Paul wrote, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your selves. Know ye not your selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates” (2 Cor. 13:5)?
Having examined our life careful, perceptively, we then determine whether I am living as God has commanded me to live.