Bible Study on James 1:19-27

"Don't Talk About It! Just Do It!"

As shared by Rev Don Schink, (C) 2005

 

Listening and Doing

¹⁹My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. ²¹Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

²²Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ²³Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ²⁵But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it–he will be blessed in what he does.

²⁶If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. ²⁷Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

 

Comments For Reflection and Direction:

 

¹⁹My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. ²¹Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

 

 

Yak, yak, yak, yak, yak…  We all know them.  Country music artist Toby Keith even sang about it in a song when he sings, “I want to talk about me!  The context of the song is that we don’t mind listening but overall, sometimes “I want to talk about me.”  It’s a comical song and a good one.  It really does get the message of the song across loud and clear!  It’s me!  And this type of person says, “I want it my way!”  And as a result, when people yak about themselves all of the time, they’re not really taking what others say to heart.  Why?  Because they’re yakking and flapping their gums with closed ears!  And if they are confronted about it, they’re all-too-often quick to get angry!  This type of person has the Big “I” in constant control… and the root of that Big “I” – yes, the midst of it… comes from the root concept of S-I-N… Not simple mistakes… No, it involves willful choices of disobedience which root cause is sin!  Let’s just call it what is!

 

We live in a society where many people seem to believe that anything goes these days.  If they get away with it, then it’s just fine with them!  Such ones make their own rules, expect others to yield, as such, to their desires, needs, etc.  And if you don’t, they get ticked!  If such a one chooses to live immorally, they don’t want anyone to meddle!

 

I know a young lady whom was very strong-willed and openly rebellious to anyone who went against her desires.  She seemed to have an angry spirit that would surface whenever she felt that anyone disapproved of her decisions or lifestyle.  When confronted, she would tell her family, “Let me make my own mistakes.  It’s no one else’s business!”  She did a great job of reaching that goal!  This girl ended up having three babies with three different fathers, marrying none of them.

 

Anger brings danger!  Anger is an outward sign of an inward problem!  Anger is counter-productive to the will of God!  The Bible says, “Man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”  The angry spirit is an unsettled spirit, affecting all that one says, does, or even thinks!  The Spirit of the Lord is the answer to overcoming that situation.  The Spirit of God promotes a loving, peaceful, harmonious spirit that takes us through even the toughest of times when He is allowed to reign and to rule in our hearts and lives.  A spirit of anger is like holding up a sign that says, “Hey, people!  Look at me!  I’m in trouble!  I’m lost!  I’m in sin!”

 

As such, we need to live in line with God’s Word and His will, with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of every area of our hearts and lives.  As such, we need to live by His Spirit, Who teaches, guides, directs us and even empowers us for life and for service!  As such study the differences as outlined in Galatians, chapter 5:16-26 -

 

Life by the Spirit

¹⁶So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. ¹⁷For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. ¹⁸But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

¹⁹The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. ²⁵Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” 

 

So we have a very clear comparison between the ungodly, selfish acts of the flesh verses the fruit of the Spirit.  I go into more depth on this in the actual study of Galatians.  Prayerfully review this Scripture often and it will challenge, bless and sustain you.

 

As we continue, we read where James emphasizes more crucial truths:

 

²²Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ²³Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ²⁵But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it–he will be blessed in what he does.

 

Comments For Reflection and Direction:

 

God has given us His Word, the Bible, as our Guidebook.  We are to do far more than merely listen!  We are to take it to heart!  There is no room for the big “I” anymore.  In 2 Timothy 2:15 NIV, the Bible says, “¹⁵Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 

 

This involves a much more satisfying and fulfilling experience that merely a casual listening.  It describes the believer who loves the Lord and His Word.  It describes the believer who has a deep hunger and thirst for righteousness, desire to properly comprehend the Word, applying it properly in his or her own heart and life, as well as properly teaching it to others.

 

If we merely hear the Word but avoid deeper study, we don’t properly retain it, thus receiving little benefit by our own neglect.  When I comb my hair in the morning, I walk away from the mirror and forget it.  However, an artist painting a portrait takes every detail into account.  He or she wants it to be a masterpiece!  So he or she pays attention to each and every detail, resulting in a satisfied project in the end!  So we are admonished to study the Word.  As we do so, we find what we need to live as victorious Christians.  We also become satisfactorily equipped to be effective in ministering to others around us!

 

 

²⁶If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. ²⁷Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

 

Comments For Reflection and Direction:

 

James actually says quite a bit more on this subject as we dive deeper into his writings.  We will cover this in more detail as we get to those Scriptures dealing with this.  However, we need to know that the words out of our mouths show what’s really in the depths of our hearts.  The outward words and actions reflect our inner conditions.  And we tell on ourselves daily, without even realizing it.  We are being observed regularly.  We are on display.  Our families are watching.  Our co-workers are watching.  Our fellow-students are watching.  Our neighbors are watching.  And, God, Himself, is watching!  Just think of it!  God knows every thought that we think and every word that we speak, Himself!  Every thought that we think and every word that we speak is known by God, Himself!  Tarry here for just a moment and think about this.  Let it sink into your inner thought process!

 

So, we don’t have time to simply give lip service!  As we dwell in His Word, we know what to do.  We are saved by the love and grace of God!  Then, as the realization of Who He is in our hearts and lives sinks in, we develop strong desires to share these precious truths with others!  We serve out of an attitude of gratitude!  As such, we become doers of the Word.  We put feet to our faith!  Our satisfaction results in action!  We’re too busy loving others into the kingdom of heaven to get into trouble!  Our hearts and actions reveal that we are heavenly-minded.  We reach out to those in needs, meeting both physical and spiritual needs!  As such, we’re the King’s kids!  We have a royal commission!  Our calling and our destiny is assured!

 

So, as we pray and reflect on today’s Scripture study:

 

1.      What does the Bible reveal in this lesson?

2.      How do these truths specifically speak to our hearts and how can we allow them to penetrate into the depths of our hearts and lifestyles to where they have proper impact?

3.      What are you willing to do in faithfulness to applying the truths here in your own heart and life and reaching out to others in need all around you?