Genuine Faith Produces a Proper of God’s Word (19-21).
“Know this, my beloved brothers; let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” (James 1:19-21)
1. I am to receive God’s Word with (19-20)
- A for God’s Word. (quick to listen)
- Not speaking God’s Word. (slow to speak)
- Not toward God’s Word. (slow to anger)
2. I am to receive God’s Word with (21a)
“Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness…” (James 1:21a)
3. I am to receive God’s Word with (21b)
“and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” (James 1:21b)
Genuine Faith Produces A Proper to God’s Word (22-27).
“But be doers of the word, and not hears only, deceiving yourselves. 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 looks like. 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.” (James 1:22-25)
“If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 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.” (James 1:26-27)
Characteristics Of A Hearer:
1. The Hearer himself (22)
2. The Hearer is in memory (23-24).
3. The Hearer has a religion (26).
Characteristics Of A Doer:
1. The Doer lives (25a).
3. The Doer lives (25c).
4. The Doer lives (25d).
5. The Doer lives (27a)
6. The Doer lives (27b).
Probing Questions
- How’s your reception of the word of God? Do you receive it with submission, purity and humility? Or, do you find yourself bored with it, arguing with it and living contrary to it?
- How’s your reaction to the word of God? Do you find yourself embracing it and allowing it to be the source of authority and hope in your life? Do you allow God’s word to shape you and form you after the heart of Christ?
- How’s your religion? Is it dead, or do you find yourself involved in active service to those who are needy?