Doers of the Word

Images of Christ

Doers of the Word

August 3

James 1:17–27

Lesson Aims

After participating in this lesson, each student will be able to:

1. Summarize James’s teaching on hearing and doing and on making one’s religion real.

2. Explain how God’s Word should lead to active discipleship.

3. Make a plan to correct one area of life in which he or she needs to move from being a mere hearer to being a doer.

Key Verse: Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.—James 1:22

Intro: James, the author of today’s Bible text, undoubtedly thought that Bible study, fellowship, etc., were good things. But his issue was that of ensuring that Bible knowledge was put into practice. His concern was for knowing the Word of God in a way that would enable a Christian to do the will of God. And being a doer goes far beyond pleasant fellowship with other Christians. Sometimes I have heard people say of church on Sunday morning, “I think of church as a filling station. I come here empty, and during the service I get filled so I can make it through he week.” The problem with this approach is that this is passive, receptive, not active. It makes church into a place where we come, sit back and say, “OK preacher, ok songleader and prayer leaders- do it to me, fill me up.”
However, the test for good worship, the mark of a good church is not what we do here, during the hours of worship and Bible class; it’s what we do outside those doors for the rest of the week. Yet here, as elsewhere, after all is said and done, more is said than done.
The world is quite right in judging the truth of the gospel on the basis of the sort of lives the gospel is able to produce. Do we really look like the God whom we praise here on Sunday morning? Have our songs and prayers changed us, made us into that which we profess? That is the test, says James.

Lesson Background

The epistle of James was written by James, the brother of Jesus (Galatians 1:19; 2:9). James did not believe Jesus to be the Christ until after Jesus’ resurrection (John 7:5; 1 Corinthians 15:7). James was present with those gathered just before the Day of

Pentecost (Acts 1:14). By the time of the Jerusalem council in Acts 15, James had emerged as one of the principal leaders of the church. James was noteworthy enough for the historian Josephus to record his murder, which happened in about ad 62.

The epistle of James is his only work in the New Testament. Unlike books from Paul, which often are concerned about the place of Gentiles in the church, James writes primarily to Jewish Christians. They were in a tough situation (James 1:1–3). Some even had fled Jerusalem following the persecution by Herod Agrippa that occurred in the time period of Stephen’s stoning and the execution of James, the son of Zebedee (Acts 11:19–12:2).

AMPLIFIED VERSION James 1:17-27

In the verses preceding those for this lesson (James 1:1–16), James challenges believers to have the kind of mature faith that can stand up to life’s disasters and disappointments. He seems worried about their eternal future. He is concerned that many Christians believe—wrongly—that God is tempting them when the opposite is true (1:13). God wants all believers to succeed! In fact, rather than throwing hazards at us, he continually strews our paths with gifts to encourage us as we go.

17 Every good gift and every perfect (^[a]free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of] Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse].
18 And it was of His own [free] will that He gave us birth [as sons] by [His] Word of Truth, so that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures [a sample of what He created to be consecrated to Himself].
19 Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry.
20 For man's anger does not promote the righteousness God [wishes and requires].
21 So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls.
22 But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth].
23 For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it and being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror;
24 For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like.
25 But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience).
26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious (piously observant of the external duties of his faith) and does not bridle his tongue but deludes his own heart, this person's religious service is worthless (futile, barren).
27 External ^[b]religious worship [^[c]religion as it is expressed in outward acts] that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world.

I. Gifts from God (James 1:17, 18)

A. The Best Gifts (v. 17)

17 Every good gift and every perfect (^[a]free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of ] Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse].

James describes God in three ways: as the one from above, as the Father of the heavenly lights, and as the one who does not change like shifting shadows.

God’s character is like a sun that never sets and that has nothing to block its light. With God, it is always high noon. With this correct understanding of God, it is easy to grasp the idea that he wants only the best for us in life.

What Do You Think? Every good thing is from God! Given this fact, what should you thank him for at this very moment?

James used images of lights and shadows to make his point: with God there is no change. We sinful mortals shift constantly—in our morals, our actions, our priorities, our physical locations, and our attitudes. It is convenient—even vital—to have a point of reference that never changes.

B. The Eternal Gift (v. 18)

18 And it was of His own [free] will that He gave us birth [as sons] by [His] Word of Truth, so that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures [a sample of what He created to be consecrated to Himself].

As in verse 17 above, this verse first draws on creation ideas from Genesis. The creation of humankind by God’s word is implied as the absolute best result of all his creation activities.

This passage uses its language as a stepping-stone to talk about God’s perfect gift: the word of truth. This word gives birth to life of a different order: eternal life.

This birth takes place at the spiritual level and is propelled by a specific word, the message of the gospel. Christians are the firstfruits of humanity. This is apparent because (1) the we and us refer to believers, (2) becoming a Christian is commonly referred to as birth in the New Testament (John 3:3; 1 Peter 1:3), and (3) word of truth refers to the gospel (see also Ephesians 1:13).

II. Lessons from a Proverb (James 1:19–27)

A. 19 Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry.

Proverbs are carefully crafted, memorable sayings. This one not only provides a keen perception about the relationship between listening and outbursts of anger, it also provides the framework for the immediate verses that follow. Verses 20, 21 expand on the third part of the proverb, verses 22–25 on the first, and verse 26 on the second. Not only that, The three parts of verse 19 introduce the broad concerns of the entire book of James: correctly hearing the word (chapter 2), the difficulty of controlling the tongue (chapter 3), and the damaging effect angry speech has on the church (chapter 4).

The primary observation of this proverb is that careful attention to what someone else is saying is the gateway to disciplining one’s own talk. Then disciplining one’s own talk leads to breaking the bad habit of angry, uncontrolled, emotion-laden outbursts. Though every human being occasionally speaks like this, control of this human weakness is a virtue.

Controlling the tongue or in today’s language “watching your mouth” is rather obviously a major concern in the Bible- (The Word of God)- great admonitions are given throughout the Bible about “watching your mouth” and great blessings are promised for those that are meek, humble and self controlled in speech.

How would you explain this principle to another person- for instance someone you were “witnessing’ to?

The best explanation I can find to this occurs in Luke chapter 6:

A Tree and Its Fruit

43 "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 45 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

So, according to Jesus, it’s very simple really- what is stored in your heart is what tends to come out of your mouth…. If you cannot control your mouth then you are lacking in humility and lacking in real, mature faith in God… we’ll get to more about the connection between humility and faith a little later.

Sometimes the ways that we defy God’s word and are NOT quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to take offense and get angry are easily overlooked. I find this especially true in today’s socio-political milieu. If you don’t think so- go to your place of work tomorrow and start up a conversation about who should be the next president or what should be done about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, how to bring about a lasting peace in the Mideast, abortion, gay rights, gas prices, the environment, school prayer, taxes, race or whatever the issue of the day is- and then try to be humble and meek especially when you start drawing fire. The lesson plan has a good example of how insidious and easy it is to defy the teaching to be a good, even tempered listener instead of a brash, self righteous motormouth, listen:

Rash Speech

When I was a freshman in college, I had not yet learned some of the subtleties of interpersonal communication. On one occasion I asked a fellow student a question about a rather controversial situation. When she began to explain her view on the issue, I immediately realized her opinion was different from mine. So I jumped in, arguing with her. She let me rattle on for a couple of minutes, then she softly observed, “I thought you were asking for my opinion; I didn’t realize you just wanted to argue.”

I was abashed, but she was right. It was obvious I really didn’t care for her opinion; I just wanted to present my own and argue against hers. I learned over the process of time that she was a thoughtful person, quite bright about a lot of things. But at the time I was a presumptuous freshman, more interested in arguing than in intelligent discussion.

Does that seem familiar to any of you? Do you ever find yourself really just waiting for your turn to talk rather than really listening? Is this a matter of etiquette or do you actually care what the other person thinks?

When we are listening to others, what should we be listening for?

B. Controlling Anger (vv. 20, 21)

20 For man's anger does not promote the righteousness God [wishes and requires].

The word anger in other contexts can refer to the emotional feelings people have when they are upset. But here it represents the unregulated, hurtful words people shout at others when they are angry. This type of behavior is unacceptable to God. Angry words that aim to do harm are always wrong. They are vindictive. However, the emotion of anger itself is in many ways a natural, human way of coping with stressful, unfair things that happen to us in our lives. God himself gets angry (see Zechariah 10:3; Mark 3:5).

The human virtue that is crucial to pleasing God is control. How a person deals with his or her anger is the difference between righteous and unrighteous character. A person can use anger as the impetus to solving problems in productive ways. Mean-spirited, emotional outbursts are not helpful to these ends and are therefore displeasing to God.

What Do You Think?

What situations present the greatest danger for you to speak out inappropriately? What tips have you found helpful for keeping your tongue in check?

21 So get rid of all uncleanness ( filth) and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls.

An uncontrolled display of angry words is only one of many unrighteous—and therefore unacceptable—things that people do Rather than continue to allow unrighteous behavior (such as angry speech) to dominate our behavior, we are to cultivate the word we were given when we believed. That precious gift is the word of truth (1:18, above), the gospel.

To be humble or meek means to accept what God ordains or commands and to seek help and or guidance from Him rather than trusting in one’s own intelligence or abilities. This does not mean a passive tolerance of injustice (especially towards others), but a reliance on God for vindication and a refusal to retaliate when insulted. The humble and/or meek person is convinced that God’s ways are good, so he neither disputes nor resists what God sends. The humble person does not have a low opinion of themselves- they are not occupied with self at all. Because they trust God’s goodness and control over situations, the meek person does not have to worry about their self interests or about self preservation or self improvement. Jesus’ meekness did not conflict with his courage, his concern for justice or his confidence that through his unity with God that he was competent to do his job.

What Do You Think?

How can an attitude of humility help keep our tempers in check?

Humility, easily overlooked in verse 21, is a key component for generating the kind of Christian lives that James demands. Certainly, its opposite (namely, arrogance) cannot be present when a person first accepts the gospel, repents of sin, and fully relies on the graciousness of God. Arrogance also impedes the growth of that gospel seed implanted in our lives. Full reliance on God for strength to overcome our unrighteous character is the only way we can become the excellent kind of people God desires. Clearly, the believers James writes to have accepted the implanted word, but they have dampened its growth by their pride. This stands as a warning to us not to do the same.

Matthew 11:29, 30 says “29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”-…

…but, it sure doesn’t seem so easy to control our emotions our tongue does it? Why do you think that is/? I have an answer for that…

A lot of it is cultural… we live in a culture that glorifies individualism, tough, brutal pragmatism… our heroes are not the meek and/or humble … they are people like Rambo, Batman, Clint Eastwood in his tough guy roles, the celebrities with the most bling, the slickest politicians, the “tell it like it is” news commentators that will let people have it and tell them to shut their mouths when they feel its necessary, The gladiators, the guys with the biggest guns and/or the hardest boiled attitudes… all this is the culture of the World, not the Kingdom of God that Jesus spoke about… the World’s value system is based on domination… Look, all this is something that is not just sort of spiritually problematic… The teachings of Christ and the new Testament authors show clearly that this Worldly value system is a SOUL CRUSHING DISEASE.

C. Hearing God’s Word (vv. 22–25)

22 But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth].

The interest now turns to spiritual matters. The word mentioned here is still the “word of truth,” the gospel planted by God as the eternal gift taking root in the lives of believers.

As most evident in children, there is a big difference between merely hearing and really listening. Poor listening (in terms of “in one ear and out the other”) decreases our ability to perform well. Yet we are to be excellent listeners, focusing intently on what God is saying to us through his gospel, which is now a permanent part of our lives. If we listen well, we will perform well. Our lives will demonstrate the righteous character that pleases God. We will do what the word says (compare Matthew 7:26).

What Do You Think?

Have you ever listened to a sermon and thought to yourself, “This is exactly what so-and-so needs to hear”? How can we focus on letting God’s Word affect us personally rather than worrying about others?

23 For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it and being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror;
24 For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like.

What will happen if we refuse to listen attentively to the word? Suppose that one morning we look at the face in the mirror and we don’t recognize ourselves. We ask, “Is that really me?” What a frightening thought! Something would be terribly wrong if this were to happen. After all, this is our very own face.

Someone who uses a mirror then immediately forgets what he looks like won’t recognize himself the next time he uses a mirror. In this case, previously known flaws would go ungroomed.

Luke chapter 6 drives the same point home in another way with a different analogy

The Wise and Foolish Builders

46 "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? 47 I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete

Q: How can you avoid forgetting what God’s Word tells you about yourself and what you should do?

25 But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience).

Laws are supposed to be enforceable rules intended to curtail criminal behavior so law-abiding citizens are free from the fear of criminals. Good idea, but whose law is perfect? Not any in human society.

The law at issue here is described as perfect and as giving freedom. It is that part of the word of truth that God has planted in believers. It is perfect because it is the eternal gift of God (1:17). It provides freedom because it is not like any normal human law. Rather than an external rule to enforce behavior by punishment, this law (or word) changes people at their core, releasing them to live out God’s desires because enacting his word comes naturally. It is the fulfillment of Jeremiah 31:33, “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.” This law is best represented by “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 19:19). This is a positive principle for determining what God’s desire is from one situation to the next. James probably has this in mind because he refers to it in James 2:8 as the royal law. It is the key law instituted by Jesus for the kingdom of God.

D. Controlling Speech (v. 26)

26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious (piously observant of the external duties of his faith) and does not bridle his tongue but deludes his own heart, this person's religious service is worthless (futile, barren).

This verse deepens the importance of the second part of the proverb of James 1:19. The matter of the control of the tongue is underlined in dire, spiritual terms. James draws a straight line that connects this virtue of speech control to the genuineness of one’s religious experience, and then to the validity of the religion one claims to be true.

James believes at the very least that any religion worth anything should make its devotees better people in ways that others can observe. As applied to Christianity, the communication of its truth to others is utterly dependent on the way Christians behave. The way we talk is one of the best and easiest ways for people to experience the value of Christianity, not only to them as individuals but also to society at large.

Surprisingly, verse 26 uses the word religious like we would today. For the sake of his argument, James views Christianity as one of many religions that people follow. Of course, Christianity is the only completely true religion, since only it incorporates the full, direct revelation from God in Jesus Christ. However, the concern here is not with defending Christianity in terms of its truth claims. Rather, the issue is helping us know that when we fail to control our speech, we exhibit to the world that Christianity has no power to change people for the better. This is devastating to Christianity. We are to let the implanted word blossom into things like honest, uplifting, and genuine words. Compare Psalm 34:13; 39:1; and 141:3.

E. Practical Application (v. 27)

27 External ^[e]religious worship [^[f]religion as it is expressed in outward acts] that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world.

James explicitly extends the observations about the importance of a believer’s controlled speech to general behavior. Not only should a valid religion affect our speech, it should bring about observable improvements in the way we live our lives.

It is probably shocking to the first readers of James that a connection is made to widows and orphans, since they are at the very bottom of life economically and socially.

This verse emphasizes that believers should look after those widows and orphans. This does not imply that merely writing out a check exhibits the behavior that pleases God. Rather, what is at issue is caring enough to be involved personally. This is intended to be an example of many observable behaviors in believers that are the result of the word of truth becoming fruitful in our lives.

What Do You Think?

What keeps us from assisting needy people today? How do we overcome this?

A second example lies in how believers behave generally. Having cleaned up our lives to allow the implanted word to grow, we no longer want to exhibit behavior that looks like our old lives. To keep oneself from being polluted by the world does not imply that we are to retreat somehow from the world, keeping ourselves apart from unbelievers. Rather, it implies that believers are no longer to be influenced by the ideas and priorities that motivate unbelievers. We are to show them what Christianity looks like “in the flesh.” We can’t do that if we don’t associate with them.

Q: What is one aspect of God’s Word you’d like to concentrate on this week?

The gifts we have as Christians of salvation and transformed lives are intended to be used. Their involves allowing Christ’s principle of loving others to transform every thought, every desire, habit, every word, every deed and every attitude of our lives into living examples of God’s love for men and women everywhere.

The issue is now before us, now for the final question: what will we do with that which we have said, sung, and heard?

“Preacher or teacher that was a wonderful sermon,” it is often said by the churchmemeber at the door after the service or after class.
“That remains to be seen,” says the Word.

Thought to Remember- Live out the gift of the gospel in word and deed.