“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” — James 1:22 (NKJV)

Our departed brother James offers sound instruction for those of his day as well as for us when he says, “Be doers and not hearers only.”

For many, the routine is to go Church on Sunday and “hear” the preacher’s sermon; then consider whether or not it was a “good” sermon, or one that could have been much better. Satisfied with the critique, they wait for the next service to render their verdict again. These “hearers only” are those Jesus spoke of in Matthew 13:14-15, those who hear and do not understand because they do not apply to their own lives what they have heard from God’s messenger. Listening to a sermon and ignoring the message is like asking for a great recipe and then ignoring the ingredients and instructions — the outcome will not be good.

Ephesians 4:11-12 tells us, “And He Himself, gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” Clearly, we must understand that He equipped those ministers to be listened to, and their words acted upon. We may deceive ourselves into thinking that we have done our part in coming to Church and listening to the preacher, but until God’s word has been absorbed into our heart, we are “hearers only.” As such, we will never be able to grow to the fullness of the potential that God has prepared for each of us; we will remain as those of whom the writer of Hebrews spoke, as still needing milk instead of meat.

When we hear God’s word proclaimed we are bound by that word to absorb it into the heart, and responsible for allowing it to change us. Our assessment of the sermon may or may not be “good,” but if it is God’s truth that is preached, we are bound by it to be doers of that word. In order that we may continue to grow in grace, and in the likeness of our Lord, this word must find its place in our life through obedience, so that it can flourish, and make us more like He would have us be.

The Rev. Bobby Thornhill is a retired pastor.