James 1:2 3/30/2021*

“But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves.”

 We have studied this verse before, but we may have gotten the cart before the horse.

 It obviously focuses on being a “doer” of the Word and indicates that if the Word of God does not change how you act – then you are fooling yourself…. But it also recognizes that we need to listen.

In scripture, Christ’s followers are at times, reprimanded for their lack of attention. In Matthew, after the disciples ask for explanation of a parable. Jesus says, “are you still so dull?” ...basically… have you not been paying attention?

The first Easter an Angel asks followers at the empty tomb why they are looking for the “living among the dead”?…essentially saying, didn’t you hear Him say He would rise?

There is no doubt that James 1:22 is clearly telling us to be men of action – but in our current “misinformation culture” with countless false teachers… it is crucial that we learn to be discerning listeners as well.

So how do we do that?

In Psalms, God says we need to be still.  Physically and emotionally still.

Quietly sitting alone can be difficult in this age of constant stimulation and connection, but it is required. We often read of Jesus going off by himself in the morning to pray. If Christ found that necessary then we certainly need to have intentional time alone in prayer and meditation.

Knowing your bible is the other prerequisite.  Jesus repeatedly says, “it is written” while He is teaching His followers - reinforcing the fact that God’s Word is our compass …and we need directions before moving.

If you examine history you will see the thread that runs through the life of every effective Christian - is that they spent time in prayer…and they accepted God’s word as truth.  I challenge you to find an effective Christian’s biography that does not contain those elements.

So, by all means, be a “Doer of the Word”. But don’t run off “doing” before you spend time “hearing”.  You must know the playbook to run the play.

Commit to prayer – Learn the Word – and then Go.

Removing any of those ingredients will diminish your ministry and make you ineffective as a soldier of the Cross.

“In an age of constant movement, nothing is so urgent as being still.” — Pico Iver