NOVEMBER 30, James 2:22-24

The Book of James teaches us how to live our lives in the way that pleases God. To help us understand the Bible, James sometimes uses objects or things that we are familiar with. In James 2:22-24, the “mirror” is used to help us understand how we should regard God’s Word.

James 2:22 says, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” James tells us that we need to be doers, not just hearers of God’s Word. We cannot just hear the Word of God and keep it as head knowledge, but after hearing we need to be a doer of God’s Word, i.e., to obey and practice what it says. If you just hear but do not do God’s Word then you are deceiving yourself. This means you will be lying to yourself.

James 2:23-24, uses the analogy of a person looking at a mirror to describe someone who a person who hears God’s Word but does not do what it says. These verses say, “For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:”, For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.” “He beholdeth himself ” means he sees his own face in the mirror. When he looks, it is not just one glance but he is looking and examining every part of his face. Maybe he sees some dirt on his face. Children, if you see dirt on your face or if your face is messy what will you do? This person after seeing dirt on his face that needs cleaning, does not bother to clean his face. Instead, he goes away, completely forgetting how he looked. This person is a hearer but not doer of God’s Word.

The Bible is like a mirror to us. When we read or hear the Word of God, it must speak to us. It will tell us and remind us how we need to obey God. Sometimes the Bible reminds us of our sins so that we will repent and change our ways. If we respond with obedience, we will be the person who is a hearer and doer of God’s Word. If we do not obey, then we will be like the person who is a hearer but not a doer of God’s Word. God will be pleased only with those who hear and obey His Word.

Thought: Do you make effort to obey what the Word of God commands you?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me not just to hear Your Word, but also to obey it. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.