Obedience: The Joy of Spiritual Growth

English Standard Version Chapter 1

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves

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High Definition Commentary: James James 1:19–27

So why should we focus our attention on doing and not just knowing? What’s the big deal?

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The Joy of Spiritual Growth

English Standard Version Chapter 1

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

James 1:23–25 ESV

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

High Definition Commentary: James James 1:19–27

They are great for seeing things that we can’t see on our own

High Definition Commentary: James James 1:19–27

If I have a mirror and use it to check something but then immediately forget what I saw, then what’s the point of looking in the mirror in the first place?

Illustration men and woman picture

High Definition Commentary: James James 1:19–27

The same holds true for the implanted word. Receiving it humbly is only the beginning

High Definition Commentary: James James 1:19–27

All too often we focus our energy on simply acquiring more knowledge without striving to apply it.

Illustration: Thinker vs Do’er

Why Should I be a Do’er?

James 1:25 ESV

But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

James 1:15 ESV

Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

James 1:

High Definition Commentary: James James 1:19–27

To be blessed, not in their knowledge, but in their doing.

Illustration - Road lanes

How do I know if I am just a hearer or a ‘hearer and a doer’

James 1:26–27 ESV

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

James 1:26

High Definition Commentary: James James 1:19–27

The choice we face every day and every hour is how we respond to the influences around us. When we embrace and cozy up to them, we’re very likely to get stained.