September 11, 2022
Bishop, W. F. Houston, Jr.
James 1:22
"Prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves."
A Doer of the Word Obeys What Scripture Says.
An efficient study of the Bible must begin with the following three questions:

*What does the Bible say?

*What exactly does it signify?

*How does it relate to the rest of my life?

While the answers to each of those questions are vital, putting the Bible into practice should always be the primary focus. The accumulation of knowledge without practical use is unproductive.

Both the Old and New Testaments talk about how important it is to follow the Bible. For example, In John 1:8 (NCV), just before Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land, God told him: "Always remember what is written in the Book of the Teachings. Study it day and night to be sure to obey everything that is written there. If you do this, you will be wise and successful in everything."
The Bible commands us to be doers of the Word
This means we receive, learn, comprehend, and apply what we have learned to every aspect of our lives. That was the secret to Joshua's unprecedented level of success.

James 1:22 (NCV) is the equivalent verse in the New Testament to Joshua 1:8. It is addressed to every believer and says: "Do what God's teaching says, when you only listen and do nothing, you are fooling yourselves."

The term "doer of the word" does not relate to someone who obeys occasionally; instead, it describes someone who obeys often and consistently. Competing in a race is one thing, but it's an entirely different thing to call yourself a runner. To instruct a class is one thing, but to actually be a teacher is something else different. Runners are renowned for running, just as teachers are recognized for teaching; it's a distinguishing feature of their careers. Similarly, those who put biblical principles into practice are known for their obedience to them.
Beloved, don’t just sit around listening to sermons, gospel music, reading devotions and inspirations; demonstrate that you’re a doer in your Christian walk by putting what you hear into practice. Your profession of love for Christ will only be meaningful if you obey what He instructs you to do.