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James 1:19-21, “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear,

slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the

righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your

souls.

But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural

fact in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately

forgotten what kind of person he was

But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having

become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be bless in what he does.

If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own hear, this man’s religion is worthless

Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself

unstained by the world.

James gives us a series of “Tests” by which we can judge the level of and authenticity of our faith.

We have been applying these “tests” to our own lives . . .

At least that is the plan

The first test:As believers, how do we respond to trials?

James 1:2-12“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you

encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces

endurance. (vv. 2-3)

The Second test:“What is our response to temptation?”

James 1:13-18“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by

evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried

away and enticed by his own lust.”(vv. 13-14)

The third test:“How do we receive the Word of God?”

James 1:19-21, “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow

to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the

righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word

implanted, which is able to save your souls.

What happens when a true believer hears God’s Word?

There is an affection for its truth, and,There is a desire in his heart to

Obey it.The most reliable evidence of our salvation is

A hunger for the Word of God

Psalm 1: 1-2“Blessed is the man

who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night”.

1 Pet. 2:2, “like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in

respect to salvation,” John 8:31, “If you continue in My word, then you

are truly disciples of Mine;”

Jesus warned: “Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it shall be measured to

you.” (Mark 4:24)

True believers are to pay close attention to the content of what they hear and read . . . Measuring

every idea, every principle, and every standard against the infallible and sovereign authority of

God’s Word.

The person who possesses true saving faith responds gladly to His Word.

The person who has no interest in hearing much less obeying God’s Word gives evidence that he

does not belong to Him.The unbeliever’s natural desire is to disregard

and disobey God’s Word.Why is that?

It is because of the Scriptures deep and convicting truths.

They naturally rebel against it.It exposes their sinfulness, lostness, and

Condemnation under GodThey reject His truth with their minds and with their

hearts.

1. Willingness to Receive the Word with Submission

James 1:19-20, “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear,

slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God

Commands for believers who receive the Word of God submissively:

(a) We must “be quick to hear”Means to be a careful listener, (to the Word of God) making sure that we pay attention in order to get the

message rightProv. 29:20, “Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”

(b) Be slow to speakYou cannot listen carefully while you are talking

Or even when you are thinking about what to say next.

Slow to speak includes the idea of being careful not to be thinking about one’s own thoughts and ideas

while someone else is trying to express God’s word.We need to keep silent inside as well as outside.

We should pursue every opportunity to read the Word ourselves, to hear it preached and taught, and to discuss it with other believers who love,

honor, and seek to obey it.We should be cautious, patient, and careful when we have opportunity to preach, teach, or explain it

to others.

(c) Be slow to angerThe Greek term that is used here does not depict

an explosive outburst of anger, but . . .An inner, deep resentment that seethes and

smolders, that others cannot seeBecause it is so private, it can be a special danger

and not dealt with properly

James says, “The anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God”

It doesn’t accomplish what is right in God’s eyes

When the hostility is against the truth of God’s Word, it is against God Himself!

2. Willingness to Receive the Word With Purity

James 1:21a, “Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness,”

Before God’s Word can produce His righteousness in us, we must renounce and put away the sin in

our lives that is hindering our spiritual growth

3. Willingness to Receive The Word in Humility

James 1:21b, “in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.”

It is the idea of self-less receptiveness, of putting self, as well as sins aside

We accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting

It is the idea of being teachableThe Christian is to receive the Word with a

SubmissiveGentle

Teachable spiritCleansing of pride, resentment, anger, and every

form of moral corruption

The Fourth Test: A Proper Reaction to the Word of God (James 1:22-27)

But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 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; for once he has looked at himself and gone

away, he has immediately forgotten

What kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and

abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed In

what he does. If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own

heart, this man’s religion is worthless.

Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this; to visit orphans and widows in

their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”

It is possible to receive the Word of God well, but if there is no obedience to it,

It is without benefit, and,It is a further judgment against its readers.

Obedience to the Word is the most basic spiritual requirement and is the common denominator for all

true believers

There is a proper response to God’s Word that involves:

Confession of sin

Celebration for forgiveness

A promise to obey it

1 John 1:9,“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to

forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

“But prove yourselves doers of the Word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves”(keep on striving to be . . . doers of the Word)Some individuals may, after studying the Word of

God, become so proud of what they are learning, They become satisfied with the learning,

And neglect to make the effort to live out what they are learning!

“Doers” – has the idea of the whole personality, All of a person’s inner being—mind soul and spirit,

and emotions.There is an emphasis on what we are rather than

just what we doIt is when we are dedicated to not only learning

God’s word, but also faithful, continual obedience to it.

“Hearers” Refers to those who sit passively in an audience and

listen to a speakerIn college, a person may ask to “audit” a class . . .There to listen to the lecture, but do not want to do

the papers, tests, etc. of a studentSomeone can do that in a church very easily, ie,

Be an “auditor” of the service, sermon, but have no intention of obeying what is taught

Such people are merely hearers and not doers.They are pretenders who think they belong to God,

but in reality do not1 John 3:10, “By this the children of God and the

children of the devil are obvious; anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the

one who does not love his brother.”

2 Peter 1:10, “be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never

stumble.”It is not a question of what one claims to have experienced but of how one lives in light of the

Word of God.

The basic longing of a true believer is to do God’s will, manifest in His Word.

1 John 2:3-4, “By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.

The one who says ‘I have come to know Him’, and does not keep His commandments, is a liar and

the truth is not in Him.”

How we behave is proof of our salvation, or our lack of salvation.

Are there many who claim faith in Christ, and yet their lives do not verify it?

Matt. 7:21-22, “Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but

he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.

Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many

miracles?”And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.”

Josh 1:8, “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day

and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all

that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and

then you shall have success.”

John 14:23, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.”

1 John 2:3, “By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.”

John 14:24, “He who does not love Me does not keep My words.”

1 John 2:4, “The one who says, ‘I have come to know Him’; and does not keep His comandments

is a liar and the truth is not in him.”

1. There is a willingness to apply the Word without deception

James 1:22b-26, “who delude themselves. 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;

for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person

he was.

But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man

will be blessed in what he does.if anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet

does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.”

“delude” – incorrect reasoning, or even intentional false reasoning, for the purpose of deceiving. This is what a person is doing – “delude themselves”

It is a self-deception

Now, James uses an illustration to make this clear

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; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person

he was.

But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man

will be blessed in what he does.If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own

heart, this man’s religion is worthless.”

It is the forgetfulness that is the point of the illustrationDistracted?

Not pleased with what he has seen?Poor memory?

Regardless, all that careful looking is wasted.

A person who looks at God’s Word, regardless of how carefully and diligently, and does not apply the

truths he has discovered . . . To his own lifeIs just like that person who looked in the mirror and

immediately forgot what he saw.Except . . .

The consequences for not doing God’s Word have eternal impact

On the other hand . . .“But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man

will be blessed in what he does.”God did not reveal His Word simply to be learned,

but to be obeyed and applied.

“looks intently” – means to ben over and carefully examine something from the clearest possible

vantage point.“the perfect law, the law of liberty” – The Bible is

without error, sufficient. “the law of liberty” is referring to the power it has to redeem us from the

bondage of sin, to righteous obedience

Obedience

Legal

External

Burden

Loving

Internal

Freedom

Romans 6:16-18

“not a forgetful hearer but an effectual does and will be blessed in what he does” – Our will is brought into alignment with God’s will. We love

to do what the Bible commands us to do because it is the will of our heavenly Father

“If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his

own heart, this man’s religion is worthless”Church attendance, volunteer work, following

rituals and ceremonies, saying prayers, and even having right theology have no spiritual value in

themselvesApart from true saving faith.

“bridle his tongue” – The person who trusts in the outward things sooner or later will expose his

faithlessness with his mouth, because he does not bridle his tongue

If the tongue is not controlled by God, it is a sure indicator that the heart is not either.

Matt. 12:34-37 – “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned”

2. Willingness to apply the Word without selfishness

This is to have a genuine concern for the welfare of others, especially those in great need.

“Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father” – is to serve them with love and

compassion“by this all men will know that you are My

disciples, if you love one another” Jn. 13:35

“Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself

unstained by the world.”Generally, the neediest people in the early church were orphans and widows, and any others “in

their distress.”

No life insuranceNo welfare programs

Usually no jobs for either of these groupsBut the principle applies to anyone in needBecause such people without parents and

husbands are unable to reciprocate in any way, caring for them reveals true sacrificial love

3. Willingness to apply the Word without compromise

“and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”“to keep” – regular, continuous action

“oneself unstained by the world” – a perpetual obligation of Christians, allowing for no exception or qualification. We are to be characterized by

moral and spiritual purity

Not spiritual perfectionEccl. 7:20 “there is not a righteous man on

earth.”Rom. 7:18-19 “I know that nothing good dwells

in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.

For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.”

A true Christians inner desire is to be “unstained by the world”

1 John 2:15-16 “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the

love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father

but is from the world.”

Discussion Questions1. What are some common ways that we deceive

ourselves in applying what we learn from the Bible?

2. What are some ways that we can be selfish in applying the Word?

3. What are some common ways that we may compromise in applying the Word?