Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.In the original, this verse starts with one word, a command. It says become. We are to become or make ourselves to be doers of the word. James is telling us that we are to do what the word says in such a way that that is what we are. We are doers.
(NIV)
There is a warning here as well. If you are not a doer of the word, you will deceive (or delude) yourself. I don't know about you, but one of my fears is that I will be self-deceived. We see people like this on American Idol all of the time. They think that they are good singers, but they are absolutely horrible. We do not want to be like this in the spiritual sense. We do not want to think that we are doing a great job, just to find out that God is absolutely displeased with our lives.
If you hear the Word of God, but do not do what it says, then you will deceive yourself. It isn't optional, it is a true warning from God.
Become today. Become a doer. As you hear the word of God, start putting plans into action. Don't wait. If you have waited, then you are already in that state of self deception. Pray that God opens your eyes and allows you to see who you are. Read His word. It is quick and powerful. It is sharper than any two-edged sword. It will pierce you down to your soul, your spirit. It will allow you to see the thoughts and intents of your own heart, which Jesus has told us is deceitful and desperately wicked. Pray for His help today.
I'm going to be self indulgent & claim these last few posts as Gods voice speaking specifically to me.
ReplyDeleteI've actually found myself avoiding your blog for what I might find there.......it's cutting deep.
But that's why I keep back.
From time to time I need to be taken by the scruff of the neck
& asked to give account of myself; To be told to stop whinging & just get on with it.......if you want to be on the team you've got to do more than just love the game, you've got to go to training & put in every effort.
Anyway, that's a long winded way of saying 'Thanks - I needed that'
JONO
By the way,I liked the earwax analogy.
Thank you for your passion....
ReplyDeleteYour sister in Christ!