"But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves."
James 1:22
In the Christian church, we have two types of people: Hearers and Doers.
The apostle James, the brother of Jesus, explained that hearers only listen to and know God's Word but never live it out. Doers, on the other hand, listen, know, and obey. This is the distinction James communicates: It's not "either-or," but listen and obey.
Hearers, James warns, are living blind and deceived to the truth. That's a harsh statement, but there are a lot of people - who, if they were to die today, think they are going to heaven because they believe the right things about Jesus but would wake up in hell separated from God because they never took the step of faith. I would venture to say the percentages would absolutely shock us.
Why is that? James explains in James 1:23 - "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; and once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he is."
In other words, the Word of God is like a mirror that reveals our true reflection (character), revealing the areas in our lives that need improvement. This is conviction. However, rather than recognize and ask God to help us take steps to transform these areas brought to light by the mirror of God's Word, the hearers simply walk away none the wiser.
Can you relate?
Have you ever been reading Scripture and come across a verse or passage that convicts you of an area in your life or highlights an issue in a relationship that you know needs to be addressed? Did you do anything about it?
The Word of God, when studied intently, meditated on, and personalized, allows the perfect law of God to highlight areas in our lives that need to change. It convicts us.
When we truly realize that we've fallen short, we won't easily forget. God's Word will be imprinted on our hearts in such a way to help us grow and transform into the person and character of Jesus Christ.
Are you a hearer or a doer?
