In James 1:22-25, we are called not only to be hearers of the Word of God but also to be doers of the word. Verse 22 specifically says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” As followers of Christ, to hear the word is good but we cannot stop there. We must do what the word tells us to do.

To be a doer of the word, we must follow Christ and practice his ways. This is so critical in the life of the believer that John emphasizes this 3 different times. In 1 John 2:4 he says, “Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.” He goes on to say in 1 John 2:5, “But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them.” We will know we are in Him because 1 John 2:6 continues with, “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” We must be doers of God’s Word.

  To be a doer of the word is to desire Jesus more than anything. Your life will show proof if you desire Him more than your wants, your will, or the things of this world. In Matthew 6:21 we are reminded that Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Lastly, to be a doer of the word is to deny yourself. When you accept Christ as your Savior, your life is no longer your own. We have chosen to give up our lives for His. Jesus said in Luke 9:23, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”

Let us be doers of the word by allowing Jesus to be our everything!

Search myself and go deeper: Am I a doer of God’s word? If no, what I’m I doing that shows Jesus I am not obeying His word. Why am I choosing to be disobedient? Repent. If yes, how can I encourage others to be doers of the word?