Several weeks ago, I began a series of sermons from the book of James. We stopped our discussion with James 1:13-18. There, James was discussing The Christian and trials (tests). Specifically, he was discussing genuine Christian faith and how it is proven true through testing and trial. Christians are to consider it all joy when going through tests and trials because when finally through them, our faith produces endurance.

Let’s continue this series and focus our attention on James 1:19-27 and examine how this section ties in with what James has already said in this chapter.

(James 1:19-27)

19 My dearly loved brothers, understand this: Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, 20 for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. 21 Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and evil, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save you. 22 But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his own face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but one who does good works—this person will be blessed in what he does. 26 If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, then his religion is useless and he deceives himself. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world. 

At first glance it may look like these verses have nothing to do with the previous our following verses. But with further observation we see how significantly this section is linked with the context around it. Initially, the “Message or Word of Truth” mentioned in verse 18 and 21-25 is alluding to Scripture which is the Word of God. James says in verse 18 that regeneration (salvation) comes through the Word. He calls all to receive the Word in verse 21 and in verses 22-25 James discusses doing the Word. So, 19-21 focuses on listening to and receiving the Word while 22-25 center on doing the Word.

With the phrase “understand this” in verse 19 James is saying listen up! He is stressing to his readers to be ready to receive the Word. Without readiness, there is a chance of blocking the acceptance of the truth. Readiness also includes keeping the mouth under control. A person who is always talking and never listening will never hear what others are saying and possibly won’t hear as God speaks through His Word. Thirdly, James stresses that an argumentative attitude is not helpful either because it closes the mind to God’s Truth. He supports this idea in verse 20 by saying that having a disposition of anger is not the kind of atmosphere in which God’s righteousness can thrive. He will support this later in his letter in (James 3:18) “and the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.”

He continues his theme of preparing to receive the Word in verse 21 by encouraging his readers to “ridding yourselves of all moral filth and evil.” The words “ridding yourselves” carries the idea of taking off garments (Hebrews 12:1). In other words, the moral filth and evil must be stripped off so a person may be ready to accept the Word. Humbleness must permeate his very being making him submissive but not a spineless grunt. Being humble is the quality of someone who is strong in their faith. It is only in this spirit that a person can completely receive God’s Truth. We are reminded he is speaking to believers when he uses the phrase, “implanted word.” Therefore, when he says “which is able to save you” he is confirming that the Truth they have received is a saving Truth. Simply put, the Christian is to continually allow the Word to change him/her to become more like Christ.

Next James describes to his readers how to put this Word into practice, verse 22 “be doers of the Word.” It is not enough to just hear the Word or to just read it. Those who hear will be held far moreresponsible than those who don't. They're defenseless if they don't do after hearing. Isn’t this the theme of the entire book of James: Practice what you preach. His use of the illustration of a mirror in verses 23- 24 helps explain why it is so important to do more than just listen to the Truth. “Looks at” means more than just glance, it means to intensely observe and study. The person becomes so familiar with the Truth it becomes part of them. People who listen to the Word are to do so intently, so they will understand what they hear. James seems to say that the idea of a person who just hears and doesn’t do is ridiculous. The purpose for listening to Truth is to act upon it. I heard someone say, “Knowledge is inseparably tied to experience.” Experience teaches believers and shapes their future experiences.

Now James contrasts those who listen and don’t do verses those who do what the Word says. “This person will be blessed.” Why? Because he “looks intently” into God’s Truth. It is the same idea that is used in (John 20:5) to described John stooping and looking into the empty tomb of Jesus. But this person also “perseveres in it.” Meditating on it day and night (Psalm 1). He doesn’t forget what he has heard “not a forgetful hearer.” Most importantly, he lives the Truth.

Finally, the words “perfect law of freedom” verse 25, are used to connect with his Jewish readers but he doesn’t want anyone to misunderstand, so he qualifies the law with the words “perfect” and “freedom.” He is not just speaking of The Old Testament Law or the perverted Mosaic law. James means the entirety of God’s revealed Truth. Although the New Testament was currently being lived out and written, he also meant the final revelation made through Christ and His Apostles. This law doesn’t enslave but gives freedom through the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22).

The final verses, 26-27 give three specific areas where Truth should be put into practice. First is speech. James uses a hypothetical situation of a person who “thinks he is religious.” These words describe people who outwardly conduct public acts of religion but have no control of their speech. He says this person is deceiving themselves by living like this. The kind of religion that God accepts “pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father,” is the kind that positively influences a person’s life. This is not a definition of religion but gives us a picture of genuine life-changing faith. A person who has genuine faith will stay away from being “unstained by the world.” This means the entire system of evil that is in opposition to God and His righteousness.