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We Are Engaged by the Bible

James 1:22| “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

Did you know you can know the right thing to do but still do the wrong thing? We’ve all had times in our lives where we’ve been told not to touch something … but you know what we want to do as soon as we’re told not to? To touch it! In so many areas of our lives God has set up boundaries that we shouldn’t cross, and we know we shouldn’t cross them–it’s just that we do because we want to do what we’re told not to do. God gives us the Bible so that we can be changed. The ultimate purpose of the Bible is that we know Jesus Christ and become like Him in our actions, attitudes, thoughts, speech, and values … the words of the Bible are meant to be lived.

James 1:22 tells us, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” Action is required when reading God’s Word. It is simply not enough to read it; we must do what it says. The result of obeying God’s Word is life transformation. The Bible is intended to change our character and transform our lives. As you read the Bible, find out what it has to say to you…and do it.

For most of us, our problem with the Bible is not that we try to understand difficult passages. Our real problem is with obeying the passages we do understand. We let God’s Word go in one ear and out the other without applying its principles and practices to our lives.

Our culture has shaped us to be talkers. It’s easier to talk about doing something than to actually do it. When it comes to God’s Word we need to turn down the volume of our voices and amplify our actions. James challenges us not to simply hear God’s word, but to be doers as well. Doers are people who inspire, influence, and make a difference. Doers are people that realize that God’s Word demands action.

Reflect:

• Have you ever ignored what you know God called you to do? What was the result?
• Is there something in your life that you’ve found that you are more a “talker” than a “doer”? How can you, with God, change that part of your life so that you are walking in obedience to what God has called you to?