Wedneday 4 February 2026
But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. (v. 22)
Background
Rather than being doctrinal instruction, the letter of James is more of a homily – that is a religious discourse intended primarily for spiritual edification. Much of the letter is not specifically Christian and today’s passage demonstrates that. Most people, whatever their religious background, could agree with the advice the author is giving. However, as the letter also makes clear, agreeing may be easy but carrying it out – being 'a doer of the word' – is another matter.
We will all have experienced times when we’ve said things we wished we had not said, or others have spoken to us with words they quickly regretted. Particularly in the heat of the moment, and especially if we are angry or stressed, our inbuilt mechanisms to check what we say and how we say it can be impaired, and don’t protect us from the embarrassment or the hurt that ill-judged words or an angry tone of voice can cause.
We are here advised to use our ears more than our mouth – to prioritise listening before speaking. If we do that, and if we really understand as well as hear what others are saying, perhaps we will be less likely to become angry. And even if our anger could be justified, the author cautions we should be 'slow to anger' (v. 19). We should think carefully before we let our rising adrenaline levels cloud our judgement and lead us to do or say something that causes more problems.
However, the writer believes that those who are truly blessed are the ones who don’t rest on their words alone, but who do what they say. Those who just hear a message but don’t then act on it are deceiving themselves. It's as if they are looking in a mirror in a superficial way and immediately forgetting what they see (v. 24). So, if we are to take seriously what we hear in the form of religious instruction, we need to put it into action and help the most vulnerable, which at a time well before any welfare state existed were 'orphans and widows in distress' (v. 27).
To Ponder:
- How do you avoid saying things that could cause harm or distress to others? What steps could you take to reduce this happening?
- What are the practical things you could do to support the most vulnerable?
Prayer
Loving God, open our ears and minds to help us truly hear and understand your words to us each day. Give us the strength to walk in your way, responding to the needs of people around us. Amen.
Bible notes author: Dr Richard Vautrey
Dr Vautrey is a local preacher and church steward in Leeds, and a former Vice-President of the Methodist Conference. He works as a GP and is a former chair of the BMA's GP committee.