James 1:23-25 For if any be a hearer of the word For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Being a Doer of the Word is quite frankly an overused ‘cliche’ in most of our new age churches. We hear it all the time, but I often wonder if anyone knows what it really means to truly be a doer of the Word. Here, we will examine what it means to effectively and wholeheartedly be a doer of the Word.
James is clear when he likens doing what the word says to looking at oneself in the mirror. Everyone checks themselves out in the mirror at least once a day if not more. So, using that example, we see that the Word is an object that allows the looker to see his/her flaws. If we use the mirror correctly, we will not just see our perceived flaws, but one will correct the flaw. For example: I was on my way out of the door to go to work this morning but I felt that I needed to check to make sure my appearance was suitable. Lo and behold, with a glance I realized that my shirt was on inside out. Who hasn’t done that before? So, once I realized my error, I had two choices. Continue out the door and risk being embarrassed or drop everything and fix my shirt.
When it comes to looking at the mirror that is the word, we often choose to continue out the door as if we did not see the wardrobe mishap. We go through life this way. More often than not, most have given up the quick, glance in the mirror because we see no real value in it.
To study the word is to find all of our shortcomings and flaws that Jesus said that birth brought on. Jesus lived the life that we could not live and died the death that we deserved so that we could receive salvation and eternal life. It is a travesty to go through life and not measure our lives according to Biblical standards. Here are 3 ways to begin to examine your life to see if you are a doer or just a hearer of the WORD.
1.) Know and Understand the Word.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
This is a given. In order to be a doer of the Word, one has to actually know what there is to be doing. I hear so many ‘believers’ admitting that they do not really know what the word says. I challenge you; if you fall into this category, simply set a time everyday to read a verse or a chapter. You will be surprised at how much your life can change with this one adjustment.
2.) Evaluate Yourself Truly.
2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
Herein lies the key to successfully doing the Word. When I talk to most believers, they simply do not see (blindness) the error of their ways. It is imperative that you evaluate yourself. Our flesh and pride rise up when we realize that the “Lust of the Eyes, Lust of the Flesh, and the Pride of Life,” have a hold on us. But, be of good cheer, Jesus overcame all that stuff and so can you. However, you must first admit wherein YOUR issue lies. Then and only then can the healing begin.
3.) Correct your behavior.
Matthew 18:8-9 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
The same way I had to change my shirt because I realized that it was on inside out, is the same way that we have to examine ourselves in the mirror of the Word and change. Note: It was not an easy task. I had to drop everything that I was holding on to. All the bags and documents of important stuff because none of that mattered in that moment. I had to fix me. Truly evaluating and correcting ones behavior is not pleasing to the flesh. Your flesh will kick and scream until eventually your spirit is stronger and louder than your flesh in that area.
Be encouraged! This is a process, and when you are willing to go through the process, you are on the right track to be pleasing in the sight of God. Romans 12:1 states, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
Professing Jesus Ministries 