“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;” James 1:19 (ESV)
If ever there was a verse that flew directly against our very human, sinful, nature — this just might be it. Especially today with technology so attached to our fingertips. How easy it is to not “hear” exactly what someone is trying to say to us, if we are even taking the time to truly listen in the first place. How sadly commonplace it is to be someone with a “short fuse” or to speak without even thinking about it. The unfortunate thing is, once spoken, words cannot be taken back. Sure, we may be able to apologize and even may be forgiven, but the words have still been spoken. How much better off would we be if we devoted ourselves to slowing down, even just minutely, to take the time to truly listen to those around us, only speak once we have judged that our words are the correct ones (and are edifying and not hurtful), and take a deep breath before “exploding”? I know, it is all “easier said than done”; but if we continue on in those behaviors with this as an excuse and an escape, we are not living the way our Lord and Savior intends for us to live.
Jessica Ford Communications Director Alive Ministries USA
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.” James 1:22-24 (ESV)
If you are simply “hearing” God’s Word and not “doing” it (or applying it to your life), then you truly are deceiving yourself. You may pat yourself on the back for being in church every Sunday for the sermon, or for reading your Bible and learning verses, but that is not the whole of what we as Christians are called to do. If we do not apply the Scriptures to our lives, how easily they can “go in one ear and out the other” and be forgotten, as the man in James’ example forgets what his own face looks like. James here in today’s verses reminds — and indeed challenges — us that we must act on what we are reading and hearing from the Scriptures in order to grow spiritually. If we want a closer walk with God and deeper roots of spiritual wisdom then we must live out the words within His Word. So, are you just hearing or are you doing?
Jessica Ford Communications Director Alive Ministries USA
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.” James 1:22-24 (ESV)
We live in a time where everyone does that which is right in their own eyes. We have people who claim to believe in Christ and in the Gospel, yet they pervert the truth of the Word and insist that we can be partakers in some hyper-grace movement that allows us to live as we want to live, to be hearers of the Word and not doers. Nothing could be further from the truth! James faced this very same problem in his day, and the Holy Spirit speaks to the faithful of all ages through the words of this little book which gives the believer such wonderful insight into the practical walk with God in Christ Jesus.
In the preceding verses, James had just addressed those who were slow to hear, quick to speak, and quick to get angry. Just as in our day, James faced people that were so wrapped up in themselves and in what they thought and what they felt that they missed the more elemental points of the faith. While many spend great amounts of time investigating words and doctrines and origins of teachings, the more necessary and elementary teachings of salvation and repentance and a call to holy living are ignored and sometimes even taught against. The reason is that they cannot have the Lord and the pleasures of the world, yet they want to be hearers and partakers in the promises of the Word, yet they do not want to partake in the doing of the Word. One cannot partake in the promises of the Word, if the do not partake in the Word by allowing it to work in and through their lives by doing what is commanded. We must not be deceived — if we want the benefits of Jesus and the promises of His Word we have to be all in. There are no part-time positions available in the Kingdom. We must be both hearers and doers. Our doing is not what gets us into Heaven, that is God’s grace. Our doing is, simply put, the proof that we believe what we are hearing. James addressed those who were being hearers in his age to be doers as well. He encouraged us in the preceding verses to shift our thinking and become quicker to hear, slower to speak, and slower to get angry.
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” James 1:19-21 (ESV)
We cannot focus on ourselves so much as though we look in a mirror and do not allow the Word to change us and identify who we truly are in Christ. The Word is a mirror — who is it reflecting in your life? Who are you looking for in its reflection, yourself or Jesus? Do you want to see more of Jesus in your life or more of yourself?
Be a doer of the Word, not simply a hearer. Seek Christ, and who you are in Him; therein is the real power of life — in the knowledge of who you are in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.
Father, we praise Your mighty and holy name and the name of Jesus. Lord, empower us to be doers and not simply hearers. Let us not be deceived by those who would have us to believe we do not have to obey your Word. Lord help us to be obedient and righteous servants, for Your Glory and Honor. Bless all who read, hear, and share these posts. I ask that You bless those who labor in and support this ministry. I ask this in Jesus’ mighty name, Amen!
Blessings in Christ, Rev. Christopher B. Cain Minister of Evangelism and Discipleship Alive Ministries USA
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” James 1:5 (ESV)
Sometimes we are presented with an opportunity, a task, a question, or a crossroads that leaves us wondering what step(s) to take next. Often, it can even seem overwhelming to make a decision because fear, doubt, anxiety, and their friends, can come alongside us and cause us to worry about all the possible outcomes before we have made even one move. This is where wisdom, true wisdom (which only comes from above), comes into play. With it, we can step boldly into the unknown having the confidence that our Lord is with us each step of the way, and in fact has walked the path before us. So, worry or wisdom? Which will you choose the next time you are faced with one of life’s hurdles? Turn to God who gives His wonderfully true wisdom freely and graciously!
Jessica Ford Communications Director Alive Ministries USA
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 (ESV)
If you have been a reader of Alive Ministries USA’s posts for some time, you will probably recall founder Rev. Christopher B. Cain referencing our late father, Rev. Clifford L. Cain, when saying “what is the ‘therefore’ there for?”. In the case of today’s verse, we need to jump back a few verses to see what James tells us in verse 4: “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” (James 4:4) You cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24); you cannot be a friend of the world while simultaneously being in perfect harmony with God. In order to be in harmony and at peace with God, you must submit yourself fully to Him and to His will for your life. In doing so, you must also make an active choice to resist the devil and all of his temptations that will try and pull you away from God. Once you have made these two distinct decisions, you will begin to draw closer to God and He in turn will draw closer to you (James 4:8). Are you fully submitting to God and actively resisting the devil? That is our prayer for each and every one of you!
Jessica Ford Communications Director Alive Ministries USA
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” James 1:2-3
I am sure you have heard the saying: “In this world nothing can be certain, except death and taxes,” I would like to add a third to that list of certainties: Trials. Show me a person who has lived on this earth and not faced trials. Even our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lived without sin (“He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in His mouth.” 1 Peter 2:22 ESV), faced numerous trials during His life on earth. He even assured His followers that they, too, would be persecuted for preaching in His name. “”Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:16, 22 ESV)
So, we should just accept our fate that life is full of trials and curl up in a ball and wait for death then, right? No! James, the earthly brother of Jesus, who had been skeptical of His claim of being the Messiah until James saw Him resurrected from the grave, here writes to us that we should count our trials as JOY! Wait, what? When I lose my job, a loved one, or my life falls apart around me because of my profession of faith in Jesus Christ I should be joyful? Yes! In each instance where we face a trial, God is at work allowing that trial to produce steadfastness should we hold to our faith throughout the trial. Need a good example? Read Joseph’s story in Genesis 37-50. Trial after trial besieged Joseph, but he remained faithful to God and it produced a steadfastness in Joseph and worked to save many lives during a devastating famine.
So, if you are facing a trial of your own today, do not give up or lose faith! “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28 ESV)
