“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves”
But be doers of the word,
A “doer” of the Word is someone who practices what he believes (1:23,25; 4:11). “Doer” carries the idea of resourceful performance. Greeks use the term “doers” for poets – creators of striking words.
The word “be” means become. “Become what you are not now – doers of the Word – rather than talk about the Word.” The Greek tense conveys the idea of keep on doing, “Keep on becoming doers of the Word.” Being always precedes doing.
Doing should result in completion, finishing. If we install a post, it begins to decay; if we plant a tree, it will grow. It is not enough to be; we must become.
Principle:
The person who lives out God’s principles is consistent in his convictions.
Application:
We do serious damage to our spiritual life when we expose ourselves to the Bible but do nothing with what we read.
It is very easy to miscalculate our spiritual condition. We can rationalize that we walk with the Lord when we don’t.
“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free’” (John 8:31-32).
When a Christian sins, she acts contrary to her new nature in Christ (Romans 7). The true heart of a born-again person wants to do the will of God (Romans 8:4). Genuine Christians care about and have a desire for the things of God.
“Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:3-4).
Belief is one thing, and conduct is another. We know how much our beliefs grip us when we count how often we act on them.
“If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (John 13:17).
“You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:14).
A spiritual Christian willingly applies the principles of Scripture to his experience. Everything we do influences and establishes our character. Each act builds on the platform of previous acts. We create momentum by acting out our convictions. A spirituality of words will not produce much for eternity.
If we act out of habit and thoughtlessly go through the motions, we are not people of conviction. A doer of the Word executes the principles of her conviction. The Word is part and parcel of her worldview and the values upon which she acts every day. This is how God characterizes her.
