When I was a younger student of the Bible, I was confused about the Israelites and their disobedience to God. How could the people who were following Moses see the fire of God by night and His cloud by day and still rebel? This confused me until I attended seminary. After a few months of always hearing, reading, talking about, and studying God’s Word, I realized that it was easy to become numb to God’s Word. It was easy to fool myself into thinking that because I was constantly around God’s Word that I was obeying.

James warns, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (v. 22). I will from time to time see this in my students. The familiarity with the things of God gives the illusion that we are walking with God. The goal for maturing Christians is not to listen to the Word only, but to apply the truth of God’s Word to our life.

James gives the illustration of the person who looks at himself in the mirror and walks away from the mirror forgetting what he looks like (vv. 23–24). I guess this is okay if what that person saw in the mirror was perfect. James is pointing out that real life doesn’t work that way. The mirror highlights the real condition of our person and the effects of sin. A wise person will look at God’s Word and note the differences between what is stated and our spiritual condition, making the necessary adjustments. Only a fool would not.

The Word of God is a spiritual mirror for our soul. We are to look intently into this mirror to make the changes necessary to present ourselves pleasing unto the Lord.

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