Hearing and Doing the Word

As we continue to look at the letter James wrote to the Early Church, let me remind you of the contextual setting as is recorded in the Book of Acts. Following the birth of the church there was a period of explosive growth with thousands coming to faith. The followers of Christ were still living and worshipping in Jerusalem. James, the author of this letter was the leader of the Jerusalem church. Following the stoning of Stephen, one of the first deacons of the church, and the first martyr, there arose persecution of the church resulting in many believers fleeing Jerusalem to the surrounding regions and nations. As the pastor of the Jerusalem church, James had a burden for those who fled the persecution and wrote this letter of encouragement.

With that background, let's now consider the encouragement and instruction given to these early members of the church. As we do so, let's glean truths which are applicable for the believers today.

I hope these devotional studies have been helpful to the listener as we have opened up this epistle. As I stated in the introductory podcast, the Epistle of James is called the Proverbs of the New Testament, as James communicated the practical application of faith to the early church.  I especially like the instruction contained in the passage at which we are looking today.

James 1:19-27 (NASB)

19  This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;  20  for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. 21  Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. 22  But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 23  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror;

24  for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25  But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.

26  If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless. 27  Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

This passage is not a new truth James was teaching; rather it is a reminder of a known truth. A truth we also know, but is often difficult to apply to our lives.

Good communication is essential to good relationships. This is true of relationships in the church, as well as in the community and in our families. One of the biggest hindrances to good communication is the neglect of the first principle James states in verse 19...everyone must be quick to hear. Just think about how many times in your life the failure to hear what was being said led to conflict.

Early in my ministry I had a gentleman in the congregation who took it upon himself to be my antagonist. It didn't matter what I did or said, it seemed he took the opposing position to my leadership, only to come back later to agree with me. (One day I asked him why he did this and he said; "I want you to work for everything you want as pastor." ) During one of these episodes of opposition, we attended a Valentines Banquet, and happened to meet at the dessert table following the main course. I asked him how he was doing and was shocked by what I heard as his response which was, "I would feel a lot better if I could belt ya." As I returned to my table I could barely contain my anger. Frankly I was totally fed up with him and his behavior and decided as soon as the banquet was over I was going to invite him to take his best shot at belting me. As my anger continued to rise I began to fantasize how good it was going to be to give this man the beat down of his life, and by the time the banquet was over I was primed and ready to go. Following the banquet, I pushed through the crowd to this man, and said to him; "What exactly do you mean, you would feel a lot better if you could belt me?" He looked at me with bewilderment on his face and said, "I didn't say I would feel better if I could belt ya, I said I would feel better if I could belch." Needless to say, I was embarrassed beyond words at my misunderstanding of what was said, as well as my angry response.

Be quick to hear...listen with the ears, the heart, and the spirit.

Be slow to speak...focus on what is being said, rather than on what you are going to say. Once you begin to formulate your response you stop listening.

Be slow to anger... too often the angry reply is a reaction instead of a response. In verse 20 James declares the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.

James calls the believers to put off filthiness and wickedness and in humility receive the implanted word which is able to save your souls. However, he admonishes the early believers, not just to hear the word, but to do the word as well. It is the demonstration of the authenticity of the faith which is professed. And it is a call to establish the word in your heart and life.

Studies have been done regarding teaching and retention rates and the Learning Pyramid was created by the National Training Laboratories. It examined the 7 common methods of teaching and found the follow:

5% - Lecture

10% - Reading

20% - Audio-Visual

30% - Demonstration

50% - Discussion

75% - Practice Doing

90% - Teaching others.

Apply this to what James says to the early church. It is a powerful truth. We must guard against being a "spectator" church; rather we must be doers and teachers of the Word of God.

James closes out chapter one with instruction for practical application. Watch what you say, you can't talk your way into the kingdom of God. Rather, walk your talk.