“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” (James 1:22)

“Actions speak louder than words” is a famous saying. It implies that we pay more attention to what a person does than what we hear him say. In every life situation, if you say one thing but act differently, people will ignore the words they hear and only remember the actions. It is also true when reading and studying the Scriptures. This devotional, based on James 1:22, ponders what it means to be a “doer” of The Word and not just a “hearer.”

Have you ever read a Scripture that seems to jump off the page into your mind and heart? The Holy Spirit reveals Truth that you can put into effect right away, but maybe you hesitate and give in to distractions. You “hear” the Word, but fail to “do” it; and as a result, you may forget the instruction.

What you do reinforces the words you hear and speak. If you truly believe the things you hear from God’s Word, then make them real and “talk” through your actions! In other words, obey God by acting on the wisdom and insight He gives through the Scriptures.

Otherwise, you’ll fool yourself and you may forget what you heard — if you don’t put it into practice.

Prayer: Dear Father, it’s easy to overlook the things I hear from Scripture. Compel me to be a doer of Your Word — not just a hearer only.