James 1:22 reads as follows:
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Here we learn that not only we need to hear the word (v21: “…receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”), but we need to internalize and act. While it is necessary to hear (or read) the word, sanctification comes from doing the word. In Matthew 7:24, Jesus says “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock”.
What happens if we are hearers only? James tells us we deceive ourselves. What might this deception look like? Perhaps it takes the form of regularly attending church and knowing the teachings so that we can give off a perception we know the scriptures? Perhaps we clean up well, attend church, and can recall the sermons? Perhaps we feel good from this hearing, but are actually a stranger to true godliness?
The word is there not simply to hear, but to produce a change, an action, and fruit in the believer. I would like to think that I’ve changed from His word, and I believe that I have much change left to do. So, to follow James’ admonition, I need to hear and introspect and act or change. If I can attend church, listen to the word, feel good about myself, and take no further action, then I’m deceiving myself.
