Colin Wong Supporter Founder, eBible.com

When examining any one verse, you must seek to understand the context that it was written in. And so first, seek to understand the entire section. EBible breaks down scripture into sections, each section being its own independent "story". The section that this verse belongs to is called "Hearing and Doing the Word". 

Next read the verses before and after your target verse. What does it say? In this particular case, verses 23 to 25 will illuminate greater understanding.

James 1:22-25
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

It means you may read the word of God, but if you don't practice it, you will loose all the wisdom and blessing God has in store for you. Therefor do not deceive yourself into thinking that reading alone is all it takes.

November 28 2013 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Judy Jentz Supporter Christian, Lay Person Who Studys God's Living Word

Also, anyone can hear God's Word and anyone can believe in God. But even the devil believes in God. 

If in your heart you truly believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, your whole being will change and you will become a doer of the Word. You will do good deeds because they are a result of your faith. They have nothing to do with you getting into Heaven. But a faith without good works is a dead faith. As I said earlier, even the devil and demons believe in Jesus but they are not headed for Heaven.

Acts 26:20
New International Version (NIV)

20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.

January 01 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

MONA FERNANDEZ Supporter

The Bible is the good news, reading the good news is not enough,
putting the good deeds into practice is very important. E.g. receiving the Gospel, the gifts of the Spirit, or the revelation knowledge of God's 
word and keeping them to ourselves is not the way God wants us to be. 

We must share the gospel, the anointing and the good works, by becoming fishers of men, saving lost souls. This is our commission which pleases God. This I believe is the true essence of the Word, "Be ye doers of the word and not hearers only."

January 02 2014 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

Great question, BAMIDOURO Solomon! James, Jesus’s half-brother, took after Jesus. Being obedient to God is like a wise man building his house on a rock, something secure. The foolish man deceives himself and builds his life on something insecure and is headed for destruction. We build our lives on God. If we don’t, we are deceiving ourselves about the matter of success. Isaiah said this in Isaiah 44:20. 

He feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?” 

For example, “according to (James 2:14-18) in regard to the destitute, head faith by itself is empty faith and attempts to minister to the poor by pious words not accompanied by works.” (H. Wilmington). This is being self-deceived. 

I watched a whole lengthy but intriguing video on why the Titanic sank. Consider this: 1912 - Maiden voyage of Titanic. Received message from another ship of icebergs in area. The radio operator put the message under a weight at his elbow and went on with his work. It never reached the captain, and 1500 lives were lost. Information without action can result in destruction.

Source unknown

October 19 2022 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Zachary Campbell Supporter

The verse James 1:22, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves," is a call to action for those who follow religious teachings. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:

**Key Points:**

* **Doers, not just hearers:** James emphasizes the importance of **putting faith into action**, not just passively listening to teachings. He compares it to someone looking in a mirror and forgetting what they see (verses 23-24). 
* **Deception:** He warns against **self-deception**, where someone believes they are living by the teachings simply because they hear them, without actually integrating them into their actions.
* **Putting faith into practice:** The verse encourages individuals to **actively live out their faith** through their deeds and choices, aligning their actions with the teachings they believe in.

**Interpretations:**

There are various interpretations of this verse, depending on the specific religious context:

* **Christian:** In Christianity, "the word" often refers to the teachings of Jesus and the Bible. Doers are those who demonstrate their faith through acts of love, compassion, and service, following Jesus' teachings.
* **Wider application:** The verse can also be applied more broadly to any set of values or principles. It encourages individuals to live authentically by aligning their actions with what they believe in, regardless of the specific source.

**Remember:**

* Different interpretations exist, and the specific meaning might vary depending on the context.
* This verse encourages active engagement with one's faith or values, not just passive acceptance.

February 23 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report