James One Message 11

James One Message 11

James 1:22-24

A Glance in the Mirror

The Words on the Page Meant Nothing.

I’ve read the whole bible.

I think about this often.

There is someone in my life my circle of family that I have known for many years.

The Lord had led me to talk to this person.

I had known him for many years so I knew the type of person he was.

One day I invited him to church.

His response: “I’ve read the bible through many times.”

To say the least I was surprised!

There was not one sherd of evidence that he ever read one word.

The exact opposite was true.

I’ve hardly meet someone that is more greedy, more self-centered than him.

But in his mind, he had done all that was required.

James 1:22-24 says this

 James 1:22–24 (NIV) — 22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

James 1:22–24 NIV

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

Let’s not make that mistake.

Imagine reading a cookbook

You read it every day even.

You have a shelf full of cookbooks.

You have memorized some recipes

You can explain every ingredient

But you never actually cook anything.

Now there is a diet for you.

Likewise, hearing Scripture without obeying leaves the soul spiritually malnourished.

Romans 2:13 (NCV) — 13 Hearing the law does not make people right with God. It is those who obey the law who will be right with him.

Romans 2:13 NCV

Hearing the law does not make people right with God. It is those who obey the law who will be right with him.

God’s Word Functions as a Mirror

One of scripture’s greatest illustrations

Reading the bible is like looking into a mirror.

Verse 22 for example:

James 1:22 (NLT) — 22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

James 1:22 NLT

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

That immediately sets the tone.

Mirrors reveal – they don’t create

A mirror doesn’t invent flaws.

It simply shows what’s already there.

God’s word reveals a lot about us

NEGATIVE

The negative unhealthy things.

It can point out sin, pride, selfishness, bitterness, unbelief, hidden motives.

Hebrews 4:12 (NLT) — 12For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Hebrews 4:12 NLT

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

POSITIVE

There can also be the positive

We can find comfort, hope, encouragement, peace, gives wisdom and direction, reveals our purpose, strengthens our faith, and produces the fruits of the Spirit.

The Mirror Speaks the Truth.

You don’t get mad at the mirror because you woke up with bedhead.

The mirror isn’t the problem

Ignoring what it shows, that is the problem.

The bible is the same way.

God’s word doesn’t lie.

You can twist to make say something else.

But that only reveals their heart.

It’s not a heart after God. It’s a self-centered life.

The bible moves us from self-centered to God-centered.

Looking Without Responding Changes Nothing

Understanding this verse.

I struggled with this passage for a long time.

The KJV says it this way: “For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.”

James 1:23 (NLT) — 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror.

James 1:23 NLT

For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror.

James 1:24 (NLT) — 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.

James 1:24 NLT

You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.

What does it mean?

It’s not forgetfulness that being described here.

The Greek word here can mean – forget, neglect, or overlook.

The meaning is to neglect to overlook, to ignore.

You look at the mirror and see your bedhead but chose not to do anything about it.

Toothpaste on your face – shirt button wrong, a stain.

You hear the sermon – it moves you – you underline verses – say amen – you even bring home the message notes.

But nothing changes Monday morning.

God’s word always calls for a response.

Take a look at the mirror.

This sermon demands a response.

Not because of the speaker but because of the truth.

What will you do with what God has shown you?

Truth demands action.

That action will require an adjustment in your life.

Repentance? Forgiveness? Step of Faith? Obedience? Service? Generosity? Love?

Spiritual Inventory

When I read Scripture…

What is God revealing about me?

What specific steps of obedience is He calling me to today?

Someone need forgiving? Something need confessing? An attitude you need to change? A truth you need to believe? A calling you need to answer? A mission you need to fill?

This question yesterday: “In what ways are you currently walking by faith?”

Will I obey what God has shown me?

What is one thing Jesus is calling me to obey today?

Because a life transformed by God’s Word is not built on hearing alone—it is built on obedient faith.

Are you like the man that has read the bible many times but no change in his life?