Transforming Faith: From Hearing to Doing God's Word
Summary
James urges us not to simply listen to God’s word, but to put it into practice. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that hearing or reading Scripture is enough, but James challenges us to move beyond passive listening. He uses the illustration of a mirror: just as someone who glances at their reflection and immediately forgets what they look like, so too are we if we hear the word but fail to act on it. In the first century, mirrors were rare and gave only a dim reflection, so James’ audience would have understood how easy it was to forget their own appearance. The real danger is not just in failing to act, but in forgetting what God has shown us about ourselves through His word.
To truly receive the word, we must look intently into it, much like Peter peered into the empty tomb, seeking to understand what had happened. This kind of deep, curious engagement with Scripture goes beyond routine reading or listening. It’s about meditating, investigating, and asking how God’s word applies to our own lives. Persevering in the word means returning to it again and again, allowing it to shape us over time.
Søren Kierkegaard’s insight is helpful here: when we look into the mirror of God’s word, we must see ourselves, not someone else. It’s tempting to think of how a passage applies to others, but transformation begins when we recognize that God is speaking directly to us. The story from Chuck Swindoll illustrates this well—studying, discussing, and even memorizing instructions is meaningless if we don’t actually follow them. God calls us to be doers, not just hearers, of His word. The blessing comes not from knowledge alone, but from obedience that flows from a heart engaged with God’s truth.
Key Takeaways
- Hearing God’s word is only the beginning; true transformation requires action. It’s not enough to accumulate knowledge or familiarity with Scripture—God desires that we live out what we learn, allowing His word to shape our daily choices and relationships. Obedience is the evidence of genuine faith. [02:36]
- The mirror analogy reminds us that God’s word reveals our true selves, but it’s easy to forget what we’ve seen if we don’t act on it. Spiritual forgetfulness is a subtle danger; we can be moved or convicted in the moment, but unless we respond, the insight fades and our lives remain unchanged. [04:10]
- Looking intently into the word means cultivating a deep curiosity and hunger for understanding. Like Peter at the empty tomb, we are called to gaze, ponder, and wrestle with Scripture, seeking not just information but transformation. This kind of engagement requires time, patience, and humility. [05:27]
- Perseverance in the word is essential; spiritual growth is an ongoing process, not a one-time event. Continually returning to Scripture, meditating on it, and applying it to our lives is how we are shaped over time. The blessing James promises is for those who persist in this journey, not those who give up after a single effort. [06:45]
- Self-application is crucial: we must resist the urge to apply God’s word to others before ourselves. True spiritual maturity comes when we allow Scripture to confront, correct, and encourage us personally. Only then can we become authentic doers of the word, living out God’s truth in a way that brings blessing and hope to others. [07:53]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Introduction to James 1:22
[01:10] - What Does “The Word” Mean?
[02:00] - Hearing vs. Doing
[02:36] - The Mirror Illustration
[03:45] - Mirrors in the First Century
[04:40] - The Real Issue: Forgetting the Word
[05:27] - Looking Intently: The Greek Word “Perikipsis”
[06:45] - Persevering in the Word
[07:30] - Kierkegaard’s Insight: Seeing Ourselves
[08:20] - Applying the Word Personally
[09:00] - Chuck Swindoll’s Story
[10:27] - The Point: Doing, Not Just Hearing
[11:00] - Closing and Next Steps
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: James 1:22-25 – “Doers, Not Just Hearers”
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### Bible Reading
- James 1:22-25
_“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”_
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### Observation Questions
1. According to James, what is the danger of only listening to God’s word without doing what it says? ([02:36])
2. What illustration does James use to describe someone who hears the word but doesn’t act on it? ([02:36])
3. In the first century, what were mirrors like, and why is this detail important for understanding James’ analogy? ([03:45])
4. What does James say will happen to those who “look intently into the perfect law” and continue in it? ([06:45])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think James compares hearing the word without doing it to looking in a mirror and forgetting your own face? What is he trying to show us about spiritual forgetfulness? ([04:40])
2. The sermon mentions that “looking intently” at the word involves curiosity and deep engagement, not just routine reading. Why is this kind of engagement necessary for transformation? ([05:27])
3. How does the story about Chuck Swindoll’s letters illustrate the difference between knowing God’s instructions and actually following them? ([10:27])
4. Why is it tempting to apply God’s word to others before ourselves, and what does Kierkegaard’s insight add to our understanding of self-application? ([07:53])
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### Application Questions
1. Think about your own habits with Scripture. Are there areas where you tend to listen or read but rarely put into practice what you learn? What is one specific step you could take this week to act on something God has shown you? ([02:36])
2. The sermon warns about “spiritual forgetfulness”—being moved or convicted in the moment but not following through. Can you recall a recent time when you felt convicted by God’s word but didn’t act on it? What kept you from responding? ([04:40])
3. “Looking intently” means more than just reading quickly. What would it look like for you to slow down and really meditate on a passage of Scripture? Is there a practice (like journaling, praying, or discussing with a friend) that could help you engage more deeply? ([05:27])
4. James says the blessing comes to those who persevere in the word. What are some obstacles that make it hard for you to keep returning to Scripture? How can you overcome one of those obstacles this month? ([06:45])
5. When you read or hear a challenging passage, do you find yourself thinking about how it applies to someone else? How can you remind yourself, as Kierkegaard suggests, “It is I to whom it is speaking”? ([07:53])
6. The story about memorizing and discussing instructions but never following them is a warning. Are there any “letters” from God (commands or teachings) that you know well but haven’t acted on? What would it look like to take a first step of obedience? ([10:27])
7. Obedience is described as the evidence of genuine faith. In what area of your life do you sense God calling you to take a step of obedience right now? How can your small group support you in this? ([02:36])
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Devotional
Day 1: Be Doers of the Word, Not Hearers Only
Hearing God’s Word is essential, but it is not enough; true transformation comes when we put what we hear into practice. Many of us can recall Bible verses or even attend regular studies, but if we do not act on what we learn, we deceive ourselves. The call is to move beyond passive listening and to actively obey, allowing the Word to shape our actions and character each day. [02:36]
James 1:22 (ESV)
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Reflection: What is one specific command or teaching from Scripture you have heard recently but have not yet acted on? What step can you take today to put it into practice?
Day 2: Don’t Forget What You’ve Seen in the Mirror
God’s Word is like a mirror, revealing the true state of our hearts and lives. In the ancient world, mirrors were rare and gave only a dim reflection, so it was easy to forget what one looked like after walking away. In the same way, if we only glance at Scripture and do not let it sink in, we quickly forget its truth and fail to change. The challenge is to remember and respond, letting God’s Word continually shape who we are. [02:36]
James 1:23-24 (ESV)
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. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.
Reflection: When you read or hear God’s Word, do you walk away unchanged? What can you do today to remember and apply what God reveals to you?
Day 3: Look Intently and Persevere in the Word
Receiving God’s Word requires more than a quick glance; it calls for deep curiosity, study, and ongoing engagement. Just as Peter peered into the empty tomb, we are invited to look intently into Scripture, seeking to understand and apply its message to our lives. This process is not a one-time event but a lifelong journey of perseverance, meditation, and transformation. [05:27]
James 1:25 (ESV)
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.
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper curiosity and perseverance in studying God’s Word this week? What practical step will you take to look intently into Scripture?
Day 4: Apply the Word to Yourself First
It is easy to hear God’s Word and think of how it applies to others, but true spiritual growth happens when we first examine our own hearts. We must approach Scripture with humility, asking, “It is I to whom it is speaking.” This self-reflection leads to genuine transformation, as we allow God’s truth to address our own attitudes, behaviors, and needs before considering anyone else’s. [07:53]
2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV)
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.
Reflection: Is there a passage or teaching you tend to apply to others rather than yourself? How can you intentionally let God’s Word speak to your own heart today?
Day 5: Studying the Word Is Not Enough—Obedience Is Required
It is possible to study, discuss, and even memorize God’s instructions without ever putting them into action. Like the story of the employee who read every letter but failed to follow the instructions, we can become experts in knowledge but miss the point if we do not obey. God desires not just our attention to His Word, but our faithful response in daily life. [10:27]
Luke 11:28 (ESV)
But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
Reflection: In what area of your life have you been content with knowing God’s Word but have not yet obeyed it? What is one concrete action you can take today to live out what you have learned?
Quotes
to hear the word that's the first thing you could have to hear the word you know you can't do it if you haven't heard it and so maybe a more basic question might be though what's the word what word are we talking about here that we're supposed to be hearing well it'd be natural for james as a jew to refer to the old testament scriptures as the word since this is a designation that's found a lot of times in the old testament itself and so as new testament christians we of course expand that to the new testament books but that's a long time off new testament hasn't been written yet and so they are talking about the old testament word that's the word to hear and it says not only are we to be doers of the word you know so receiving the word is hearing it also involves doing hearing involves doing and that's pretty simple i mean it kind of reminds me of of a parent asking their kid to clean up their room and the kid hasn't done it and the parents you [00:00:58]
But that's also lots of times, that's us, right? I mean, we are aware of what God's word is. We can even quote chapter and verse, but yet we fail to do what it says. And James is very big on the doing of the word. And so let's continue on in verse 23 and 24. And he says, anyone who listens to the word, but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in the mirror. And after looking at himself, he goes, [00:02:05]
It's not enough to hear the word. You must do the word. The word must be applied. It must be obeyed. And for James, he is using an illustration here, this illustration of a mirror, which I think we might miss a nuance because we have mirrors, you know. And so, you know, we might think of this illustration like, okay, so I get up in the morning, I look in the mirror, my hair is messed up, I haven't shaved, need to brush my teeth, put on makeup, whatever. [00:02:46]
have to do that before i leave the house because if i don't do that then i'm like the person james is talking about i look myself in the mirror and don't really correct what's wrong you know before i go my way and so it that's there's a nuance here that's not really what james has in mind because in the first century people really didn't have bathroom mirrors um there were not even mirrors like we know you know they're made out of glass what they had was a mirror that's made out of a polished bronze and here's a number or here we're going to put up a picture from an archaeological site in israel uh mirror made of uh polished bronze and of course you know they would polish it up as much as they could [00:03:13]
and they could kind of see then sort of a dim reflection of themselves in the polished bronze it's little see a little bit what they look like but even then this wasn't a typical household item it's only wealthy people would have really had mirrors which meant that most of James audience since most of them were very poor they went through their lives maybe only occasionally seeing themselves maybe in the reflection of a mirror somewhere that someone might have or in a lake or a pool or something and so the point that James is making here is you are a hearer of the word and not a doer of the word you're like someone who saw his face in this polished bronze mirror you saw that face but then you pretty quickly forgot what you look like because you have forgotten the word so the concern here is not doing the word it's forgetting the word I mean that's that's the issue here that's the illustration at hand and so then he goes on and sort of emphasizes that more in verse 25 and [00:03:53]
What else do we need? And so I want to focus a little bit on that phrase, look intently into. And of course, you know that we oftentimes don't have a word that exactly translates from the biblical language used, which in this case was Greek, into our English. And so that's where interpretation has to come into effect. But there is a beautiful word used here. It's perikipsis, which literally means one who looks intently. And it's only used three other times in the New Testament. And two times are actually referring. [00:05:27]
to the same thing that is the word that's used for peter in both luke 24 and john 20 when he came running to the tomb uh on sun on the easter sunday morning and uh and then what did he do you know he didn't just didn't take a glance and move on he looked he gazed he peered into he looked intently and studied you know jesus body has gone from the tomb and there are folded linens in the clothes and so on and so he's trying to understand what does this mean um that's the same word that james uses here and it's used one other time it's actually in first peter and there it's talking about the spirit of christ through the prophets in the old testaments kind of looking forward to the coming of christ and it says these are the things which the angels desire to look into and so that's the same word the curiosity of the angels as they think about the mysteries of the gospel and so what this is commending to us [00:06:00]
is that one part of receiving the Word is a deep curiosity about the Word that causes us to look intently into the Word. So it's not merely a matter of just, you know, daily Bible reading, though that's a really great thing to do. It's not merely a matter of hearing a message or hearing a sermon. It is a deep inquiry into the Word so that we are investigating, we are studying, we are meditating, we are trying to figure this out. How does this apply to our lives? [00:06:59]
Some translations say persevering in the Word. That means on one hand, this is an ongoing process. This isn't something you just do once and it's done. You know, it continues. It's an ongoing process, something you need to do over and over and over again. [00:07:32]
required in order to look at oneself with true believing in the mirror of the word. And that's actually the title of the sermon, which is a kind of long title for a sermon. But he said that there are two things required. He said, first of all, you must not look at just the mirror or observe the mirror, but you must see yourself in the mirror. And then he said, you must remember to say to yourself over and over again, it is I to whom it is speaking. It is I to whom it is speaking. It is I to him to whom it is speaking. Because we have this tendency to read the Bible and hear its words and think about somebody else that it applies to. You know what I mean? It's like the verse we covered last time, the one about be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. [00:07:53]
We might hear that and say, oh, so -and -so needs to hear that because they've got the worst temper I've ever seen. You know, you ever do that kind of thing? And I know I do from time to time. But the idea here is we need to look at ourselves and our hearts and our lives and apply the Word of God to ourselves first. [00:08:35]
I'm going to close today with a story I read from Chuck Swindoll's book, Improving Your Serve, because I just think it so beautifully illustrates this whole idea that we're talking about today. And so here's a paraphrase of the illustration Swindoll uses. [00:08:53]
assistance in a company that's growing rapidly and I'm the owner and I'm interested in expanding it overseas and so to pull this off I make plans to to travel move to to Europe and set up a new branch office and so you know I get my family together and we move to to Europe for six months and I leave you in charge of this busy stateside organization and I tell you that I'm going to write you regularly and give you direction and instructions and so I leave and you stay in months past in this flow of letters I mail to you and you receive [00:09:13]
them in the national headquarters in which i'm you know kind of spelled out my expectations well finally i come back i return and uh come back down to the office and i'm stunned because there's grass and weeds that had grown up waist high and a few of the windows are are broken and and so i go inside and everything is just in disarray and so i find you and i say hey what in the world is going on man and you say what do you mean i say well look at this place didn't you get any of my letters and you say letters oh yeah sure got every one of them as a matter of fact we have had [00:09:49]
letter study every Friday night since you left. We have even divided all the personnel into small groups and discuss many of the things you wrote. And some of those things were really, really interesting. You'll be pleased to know that a few of us have actually committed to memory some of your sentences and paragraphs. And there's one man here who has memorized an entire letter that you wrote because there's such great stuff in those letters. [00:10:27]
And I say, okay, okay, you got my letters, you studied them and meditated on them and discussed them and even memorized them. But what did you do about them? [00:10:54]
to be hearers of the word or readers of the word we must also do what it says okay that's it for today hey i'll be back on saturday with an interview and a preview of sunday's worship at conyers and then we'll continue in our study of james uh next tuesday and thursday and so until then keep bringing the hope and god bless you [00:11:18]
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