To glance at truth or lend an ear for a few minutes with no real intention of acting upon what we see or hear is dangerous. James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

Believe it or not, this is a command we are called to obey. According to James 1:21-25,  we can either accept God’s Word or we can reject God’s Word. Let’s look at the consequence of forgetting God’s Word compared to the benefit of obeying God’s Word.

The Consequence Of Disobedience

Exposure to God’s Word followed by willful forgetfulness leads to being deceived. Verse 22 says it this way, “Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves.”

To ignore the Word of God by merely listening is to walk away from the presence of God and the power of God to overcome sin in our lives. Verse 21 says, “…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.” To know the truth and not allow the truth to change us is to refuse to let the Word of God cleanse our sin. Verse 23 describes it as, “…a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” This type of willful spiritual amnesia shifts us from fellowship with God to rebellion against God. Are you rejecting God’s Word in any area of your life?

The Benefits Of Obedience

Rejecting God’s Word keeps us from receiving God’s best for our lives. On the other hand, our relationship with God grows when we listen to God with a desire to obey. According to verse 25, we are to “look intently” into the Word of God. To “look intently” means to stoop down in order to get a closer look. Stooping takes time and energy. When my kids slide a toy under the refrigerator, I have to get down on the floor to look under the refrigerator to determine where the toy is. God is saying for us to get down into the Word and look at it closely. After looking intently, then we should continue looking again, and again. This means we are to abide in the Word (John 15:5).

Now, the true test is upon us. After looking continually and intently into God’s Word, we must not forget what we have heard; instead, we must take action upon the truth God has revealed to us. We take action upon God’s Word when we choose to do it.

When we act on God’s Word by doing it, we reap an incredible benefit. James 1:25 says that the obedient Christian, “…will be blessed in what he does.”

Action Steps To Take:

Read 1 John 2:15-17 and apply the principles of James 1:25 to the passage (look intently, look continually, and don’t forget).