James 1:22 says:
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves, do what it says."

We are all called to become doers of the word.

If someone else were to consider your life and actions, would they consider you to be a "doer of the word?"

The central point can be found in verses 22-25.
We see repeated themes on before and after these verse in the text.

DOERS OF THE WORD DO THE WORK, ACCEPT THE WORD, AND DO WHAT IT SAYS.

The here the text identifies obstacles that keep us from doing the word.

The first obstacle he identifies to living out the word is how we respond to others: quick to speak, and quick to become angry.

To overcome anger we must be:
Quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

DOERS OF THE WORD ARE QUICK TO LISTEN, SLOW TO SPEAK AND SLOW TO BECOME ANGRY

Human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

We cannot both love our neighbor and angrily attack and respond to them.

Our own anger will keep us from "doing what the word says."

So what should we do with our anger?

Jewish Christians often sought their own morality according to fulfilling the letter of the law--often self-righteously justifying their responses to others.

They are being called to lay all moral filth aside, and humbly accept what the Jesus taught, and what the word says...

IT TAKES HUMILITY TO ACCEPT THE WORD
Especially, when we think we are right,
Especially, when we think we have things figured out.

DOERS OF THE WORD:
ARE QUICK TO LISTEN,
ARE SLOW TO SPEAK,
ARE SLOW TO ANGER,
ARE NOT INFLUENCED BY THE MORALITY OF THIS WORLD,
ARE HUMBLE,
ACCEPT WHAT THE WORD,
DO WHAT THE WORD SAYS

DOERS OF THE WORD DO THE WORK, ACCEPT THE WORD, DO WHAT IT SAY

It can be easy to listen to the word, and consider the word, and be convicted by the word and then walk away from the word and continue to do the things you have always done.

LISTEN, BUT ALSO: DO THE WORK, ACCEPT THE WORD, AND DO WHAT IT SAYS.

There is a direct rebuke here for the Jewish Christian audience this was written for, and also one for us today.

DOERS OF THE WORD KEEP A TIGHT REIGN ON THEIR TONGUES.

There is a direct rebuke here for the Jewish Christian audience this was written for, and also one for us today.

This should seem familiar, in v. 21 we read,
"Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you."

We should care for others in need because God says they have value, not only when it is socially acceptable to do so.

DOERS OF THE WORD CARE FOR THOSE IN NEED--Even when they receive no reward or benefit from doing so.

A DOER OF THE WORD IS SOMEONE WHO IS:

QUICK TO LISTEN
SLOW TO SPEAK
SLOW TO BECOME ANGRY
HUMBLE IN ACCEPTING THE WORD
HUMBLE IN ACTION
SACRIFICIAL IN ACTION TOWARD OTHERS


CHALLENGE:

Examine your heart, mind, and life. Which of these descriptions are most challenging for you? Where do you need grace? Where do you need repentance? How can you begin to live as a doer of the word?