James 1:19–27 (Listen)
19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 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.
26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 27 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.
Devotional:
Listen & Do
God’s Word is the most powerful Word we will encounter through this life. But words mean nothing if they aren’t backed by action. It’s one thing for us to read the Word of God, but we must apply His truth. We must live out His Words in obedience and in turn, it will be truly pleasing to God.
Challenge: Develop the spiritual discipline of consistently reading the Word of God (set aside time in your daily schedule) and use it as an opportunity to grow and develop your faith.
Reflection: Do you put into action what you study in the Word?