DEVOTION – DAY 528

James 1:22 “Apply God’s Word” 

James 1:22 “Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

One the main themes of James’ letter was practical faith. The apostle, James asked, “How does faith work out in the life of a Christian?” He gives us the answer in James 2:26 “faith without deeds is dead” – in other words, if we profess to be a Christian serious about his or her faith, there must be evidence of good deeds. We must be actively serving the Lord. This is again repeated in James 1:22 that reminds Christians not just to listen to God’s Word but to apply it – to do what it says. True faith requires application of God’s Word in a person’s Christian life.

A young man was baptized when he was a teenager. He had been attending church and during one of the church camps, he decided to believe in Jesus as his Lord and Savior. However, there were no changes in his lifestyle, behavior and attitudes. He had frequent arguments with his mother because he did not welcome her discipline or advice – he only wanted her financial support. He also started to borrow money from his friends. His church pastors tried to counsel him and advised him to change his ways and make peace with his family. He would make half-hearted attempts to change, but soon fell back to his old habits. He was an example of someone who just listen to God’s Word but never applied it. He was simply deceiving himself, just as James 1:22 said.

On the other hand, we know someone who was a drugs dealer. He was arrested and ended up in prison for his criminal activities. Whilst in prison, he became a Christian. His Christian faith changed his outlook on life. He turned over a new leaf. He lost his addiction to drugs and he became a model prisoner. His sentence was eventually reduced due to good behavior. On his release from prison, he decided to serve the Lord full time. He enrolled in a seminary and he later became a pastor. He was an example of someone who listened to God’s Word and allowed God’s Word to change him from the inside out. He became someone that God could use mightily in ministry. He applied what he learnt from God’s Word.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the transformative power that lies in your Word. Please help us to apply your Word in our lives to bring about eternal good and for your glory. We pray this in the precious name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. How often do you read God’s Word?
  2. How have you been applying God’s Word in your life each week? Share.
  3. Why is it important that you not just listen to God’s Word but learn from it and apply it in your life?
  4. What will happen if you just hear God’s Word in one ear and it goes out in the other ear? Discuss.