James 1:22

[NIV] Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

[NLT] But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

[ESV] But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Study

Today we look at the opening verse of a short passage where James prompts believers to be doers of the word.  It is not enough to just receive the “implanted word” in verse 21, we need to do something with it; acting or moving upon it.  What was James’ first command in verse 19?  Now he is saying that being quick to do that is not enough on its own.

The full Greek text for this verse is roughly translated “Become ye doers of the word and not hearers only misleading yourselves.”  Is there a difference in your mind between “being a doer” and “becoming a doer”?

Look at the three translations shared above and compare/contrast them briefly.  The ESV is clearly truer to the word-by-word Greek translation.  Interesting how the NIV ends with the positive command (to do), while the NLT has it in the middle and the ESV at the beginning.

We will be hitting this doer vs. hearer concept in tomorrow’s Saturday study together, so we can treat today as an intro.  Something quite fascinating to consider just from this verse is the word “doer”. In the Greek it is poiētai which means “(a) a maker, poet, (b) a doer, carrier out, performer. From poieo; a performer; specially, a 'poet'.”

What does that insight mean to you?  To me it makes me think of how the word is very tight and pure, but I get to act on the word in a way that is unique and personal to me and my skills/interests/abilities.  So fascinating! 

It also reminds me of Ephesians 2:10, where Paul says that “..we are God’s workmanship (translates ‘poema’ or his poem) created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Essentially James is saying that if we take in the word, no matter how good our intentions, it is not enough.  We are misleading/fooling/deceiving ourselves.  We have to act on God’s commands, trust in his promises, believe and share the truth we find.  James is going to revisit what we are studying this week in the next chapter, only in terms of faith and works (James 2:14).

To close out today’s study, go on a little expedition through the following cross-references to see some more aspects of what it means to be a doer of the word.  Notice some of the implications for only being a passive listener.

Matthew 5:19         Matthew 7:24, 26          Luke 6:46-47       Romans 2:13

Prayer

Lord, too often I receive and receive and receive the word, yet I do not act on what I hear.  I do not let it sink deep into my heart and mind, then acting on it.  I don’t let it change the way I live or carry out my day-to-day tasks.  I want to be a hearer and a doer of the word.  Reveal more of what that looks like and should mean to me in the coming verses we study.  Amen.

Please pray for our study time together tomorrow morning.  That the Spirit would move among us and we would find refreshment in the word as we fellowship together.  Lift up each member in the group before the Lord in preparation for Saturday’s study.