Don’t Fail to Act, Be a Doer of the Word
23) 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: 24) For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
-James 1:23-24 (KJV)
Don’t Fail to Act, Be a Doer of the Word
Christians are a people called to action. In fact, the Bible is filled with action driven imagery and verses.
For example, in scripture we learn about how the Christian life is a journey we take heavenward (Rev. 21:4), a spiritual battle we must fight (Eph. 6:12), and a daily process of becoming more like Christ (1 Pet. 1:7, 2 Cor. 3:18).
The Christian life is also framed with a sense of urgency (2 Cor. 6:2, Matt. 3:2, Eph. 5:16, Jas. 4:14) and urgency demands action. We are to redeem the time and use our gifts wisely in the time and spaces that have been given to us by our heavenly Father for his kingdom work.
Therefore, it’s vitally important that we keep our spiritual muscles strong through daily spiritual activity.
“Christians are a people called to action.”
James makes an important point about spiritual atrophy and its dangers when he states,
“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” (James 1:23-24).
Failing to act and live out the gospel has negative effects for the believer as we miss out on spiritual growth and blessings. Additionally, as James points out, we can even temporarily forget who we are in Christ when we don’t give him and his word the attention they so rightfully deserve.
Furthermore, James says that there are two types of Christians. Some are “hearers” only of the Word. Hearers do just that, they listen, but for them the extent of their activity as Christians stops there. While they might know some theology, and they might even know the right things to say, they never put their beliefs into practice. Put another way, they’re “armchair” Christians and back seat drivers.
The other type of Christian James references is the “doer,” and he is simply someone who acts out Biblical principles in the real world. The doer is someone who follows God’s commands through outward obedience that effects others for the kingdom. He tells others about Christ, loves his neighbor, puts himself in positions to bear spiritual fruit and fends off sin in his life.
A key distinction that James points out between the two is that the hearer is engaged in a form of self-deception (Jas. 1:22). Those who fail to act on God’s commands and principles deceive themselves into thinking that action isn’t required and that they are doing just fine.
“It’s not just enough to know about God, you have to literally practice what is preached.”
James’ analogy of a hearer being like a person who looks into a mirror momentarily then walks away shows us that a hearer really doesn’t know what it means to live the Christian life fully. More importantly they don’t really know who they even are in Christ let alone what they need to do and fix in their lives to be an effective servant of Jesus.
And why would they? They only look at themselves for a moment, and because of that there are no lasting and long term results in their spiritual life. True Christian growth can only come by way of living out our faith, not just contemplating it.
This is why it’s not just enough to know about God; you have to literally practice what is preached. Hearers are spiritually stagnant because they lack real world experience of the Christian life. Put another way, the hearer’s spiritual muscles are weak and therefore so are their convictions.
“It’s a magnificent thing that the God of the universe wants us to work with him in his plan.”
Conversely, the doer has a firm identity in Christ. He will not be easily shaken, and he progresses spiritually as he becomes ever more mature in Christ and more like him.
Christians must be incredibly mindful to not just listen but to act. Think it about it this way, pretend you make into a professional sports league. Then, once practice season comes you decide that simply listening to the coach will be enough, so you don’t even suit up for practice let alone play.
Fast forward a few months, the first game of the season comes, and you fail miserably. Now, would any professional athlete be so neglectful of his calling? No, of course not. Then why would we as Christians assume that just hearing the word is enough? How can we confront a lost and dying world, overcome the darts of the enemy and win souls without doing something about it?
Sure, God doesn’t need us to act in order for his will to be accomplished, however he wants us to and we will miss many blessings if we fail to cooperate with and obey God (1 Jn. 1:6). It’s a magnificent thing that the God of the universe wants us to work with him in his plan (Ps. 8:4).
“Fish for men, win souls, light up the world, rightly divide the word of truth, kill sin in your life, cast your cares on him, preach in season and out of season and fix your eyes on the author and finisher of your faith!”
Moreover, as God’s children we’re born into a spiritual family (the church) with a perfect heavenly father (Jesus Christ). Our father has given us everything we need to live by faith.
However, like an earthly son who squanders his father’s love, we can easily disrupt and frustrate the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30). Instead, may we draw from the abundance of riches God has given us, including guidance in his word, the Holy Spirit himself, mentors, church families and more (Phil. 4:19).
So how can you keep from turning into the man who fails to act? The good news is the Bible is filled with countless exhortations and examples on how we can serve Christ and progress in our spiritual lives through action.
Pray and ask God to fill you with his spirit and give you wisdom (Jas. 1:5). Seek his kingdom first (Matt. 6:33). Then walk by faith and not by sight and see God’s glory unfold (2 Cor. 5:7).
May each of us, through Christ’s enabling (Phil. 4:13, Eph. 3:16, Jn. 15:5), walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4), and live as the new men and women we are who are like and in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17, Gal. 2:20, Phil. 1:21).
Additionally, let us set our minds on things above, store up treasures in heaven, and bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (Col. 3:2, Matt. 6:19-21, 2 Cor. 10:5).
Don’t look back, move forward (Luke 9:62) so that you can be useful to God. Fish for men, win souls, light up the world, rightly divide the word of truth, kill sin in your life, cast your cares on him, preach in season and out of season and fix your eyes on the author and finisher of your faith!
Don’t fail to act. Instead, make your calling an election sure (2 Pet. 1:10) and be transformed from glory to glory (2 Cor. 3:18). Amen!
J.R. Waller, MBA is a Christian lay-teacher, author, and Founder of Every Reason to Believe. He holds an MBA from Rollins College, B.S. in Psychology from The University of Central Florida, Certificate in Christian Apologetics from Biola University, and Bible Knowledge Certificate from The Master’s Seminary Institute for Church Leadership. He is also a two-time Fellow (UCF, The James Madison Institute).
Image Credit: Saints Bartholomew and Simon by Master of Saint Francis (Italian, ca. 1272). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. 1975.1.104.
Thank you for reading this article about being a Doer of the Word.