Being Doers of God’s Word

Discipleship Devotional, January 7th, 2025

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
– James 1:22 (KJV)

One of the key indicators of a true disciple of Christ is that they are not hearers alone but doers of the Word. These people are the ones who are truly growing in the Lord because spiritual growth is not only about acquiring knowledge but also about applying that knowledge. It is not enough to know the Word or even teach the Word; it is the one who does it that is greater.

“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.”
– James 1:23–25 (KJV)

This means that the Word of God is like a mirror for us. When we look into it, we see who we are in Christ, but unless we become doers of the Word, we won’t see in our lives what is written about us.

The Lord Jesus Himself said the same thing to His disciples in Matthew 7:24–27. He said that whoever hears His words and does them is like a man who builds a house on a rock. He went on to say that whoever hears His words and does not do them is like a man building his house on sand. Jesus said they both will face storms, but one will be left standing, and the other will be destroyed by the storm.

This is the difference between believers who are doers of the Word and those who are not. They may both face the same trials and tests of life, but the outcome will be different.

So clearly, true discipleship, according to our Lord Jesus, involves the person who obeys and does the Word. John said the same:

“We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”
– 1 John 2:3–6 (NIV)

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to walk in obedience to Your instructions. Help me to be a doer of Your Word and not a hearer only. Amen.