INTRODUCTION: in the mind of James there was only one sure way to counteract temptation; there must be a faithful response to the Word of truth. In the final analysis this is still the only sure fortress against the enemy or our souls.

        Three basic questions, which each of us may ask ourselves, should help fix this lesson in our minds. 1) Am I a good listener? 2) Am I a mere listener? 3) Am I merely religious? When making such an inquiry of our own hearts, we should remember that "what I think" is not necessarily the right answer. We must permit the mirror to do its own speaking; it speaks with clarity, with absolute authority and without respect of persons.

I. AM I A GOOD LISTENER? (vs. 19-21)

1. THE MAN OF FAITH IS ONE WHO IS ALWAYS READY TO HEAR THE WORD OF TRUTH. He will hear:


1. Speedily. It will not be necessary to capture his attention; he will yield it readily and eagerly. He will not be too concerned with the identity of the message-bearer; his chief concern will be to hear what the Word from the Lord is.


2. Considerately. He will show proper respect for the Scriptures; laying aside his daydreams, he will give rapt attention. He will carefully weigh what he hears or reads. And he will realize that the King's message deserves his solemn respect and undivided attention.


3. Privately - for himself, and no one else.


4. Joyfully, (Ps. 119:14, 111, 162-167; 97-99).


2. A MAN OF FAITH WILL BE KNOWN FOR HIS ELOQUENT SILENCE: what wisdom is evidenced in one who can patiently wait, in silence, until he has enough evidence and time for making a thoughtful and reasoned response.


1. Here is a marked contrast to "swift speaking"; to speak hastily, without wisdom, is to be more hopeless than a fool, (Prov. 29:20; 10:19; 17:27-28; Eccl. 5:1-2).


2. It is better to be silently wise than fluently foolish!


3. Great care must be taken that we always hear before we speak; listen speedily, but speak advisedly and with reluctance.


3. A MAN OF FAITH WILL NEVER HASTEN TO WRATH, (vs. 20; Prov. 14:29, 16:32, 19:11; Eccl. 7:9; Matt. 5:21-22; Col. 3:8).


1. Everyone has a responsibility to "be angry, and sin not"; never become so self-righteous that you cannot be aroused to wrath against sin!


2. But, human wrath that is hasty, carnal and vindictive is never righteous.


4. SHUNNING ALL EVIL AND IMPURITY, A MAN OF FAITH WILL HUMBLY WELCOME THE MESSAGE THAT IS ABLE TO SAVE HIS SOUL.


1. He will put away all filthiness.


2. The malice that once overwhelmed his heart will be abandoned.


3. With meekness, he will receive the "inborn" Word that is able to save his life for the age to come, (Matt. 13:3-8, 18-23; I Peter 1:9; 2:1-3).


4. If there is to be any spiritual growth in the lives of God's people, there must be a constant, regular and unhindered feeding in the Word of truth, (Heb.5:11-14; Ps. 19:7-11; 34:8).

II. AM I A MERE LISTENER? (vs. 22-25; Ezek. 33:30-33; Jer. 6:16-19; 43:1-7; 44:11-23).

1. HE WHO MERELY LISTENS DECIEVES HIMSELF, (Matt. 7:21-27; Luke 6:47-48; Rom. 2:13; comp James 2:14).


1. He may look at the mirror from such an angle that he can behold on the reflection of someone else. This is practiced far too often. It is so much easier to behold the other person's sin! And to order the steps of others, than to walk according to God's order for our own lives.


2. A mere viewing of one's own dirty face and filthy life does not guarantee any improvement. To turn away without any positive action toward cleanliness, we will tend to forget what filthiness we have observed in ourselves!


3. What tragic consequences we often suffer because of such forgetfulness.


2. A MERE BEHOLDING OF ONE'S SELF WILL ACCOMPLISH NOTHING WORTHWHILE.


1. It is entirely possible to listen attentively and critically to God's Word without being blessed.


2. The self-deception that substitutes seeing for doing will soon lead to a tragic end.


3. THERE IS A GREAT DIFFERENCE IN BEING A MERE LISTENER, AND IN HEARING THE WORD OF TRTUH IN A WORTHY MANNER.


1. Acceptable hearing requires both a moral and spiritual preparation, (Luke 8:18; Matt. 11:15, 25; John 7:17; I Thes. 2:13).


2. Some folk are delighted by strong, animated preaching; they listen for pleasure and it does them no good because they have not the slightest intention of putting it into practice! They just like to have their emotions stirred, (Heb. 4:2).


4. THE ONLY HEARING THAT IS REALLY PROFITABLE IS THAT WHICH IS INTENT ON DOING WHAT THE WORD OF THE LORD COMMANDS, (II Peter 1:1-11; John 13:17).


1. To this end, the man of faith will keep on looking into the perfect law of liberty that he may be a "doer of the work" and not merely a hearer; he will practice what he preaches.


2. Constancy in looking helps to prevent forgetfulness, (Ps. 1:1-3; II Cor. 3:18). One may be expert at examining truth intellectually and philosophically, but until it becomes a practical part of his everyday living he has only been indulging in intellectual speculation.


3. Persistence in doing what the Word of truth requires brings the blessing of true liberty, (John 8:32, 36; 14:6; Gal. 5:1; Romans 6:20-22; I Peter 2:16).


4. Proper appreciation of the "perfect law of liberty" brings real and lasting benefits.


1. This "perfect law" is not merely God's Word as contained within the covers of a beautifully-bound book. Legalistic devotion to a mere book tends to enslavement. The Bible, as we have it, was not completed for near 50 years after James wrote; and what he wrote was good for the people to whom he wrote. It involves an eternal principle, (Ps. 199:9-11).


2. The law that really liberates is something written within - enlightening the mind, purifying the heart, checking the inclinations and bracing the will; this, when honestly received and faithfully obeyed, proves to be the "perfect law of liberty". Nor does one respond to this law as to legalistic demands; his response is to be joyous and free - compelled only by the love of Christ, (II Cor. 5:14).


5. BEING DOERS OF THE WORD INVOLVES A PUTTING INTO PRACTICE OF WHAT ONE HEARS AND PREACHES; it is foolish to talk cream if we are going to live skimmed milk.


6. RIGHT CONDUCT WILL INSPIRE CONFIDENCE IN OTHERS; then they will be inclined to believe our testimony of Jesus' love and saving power.

"Men read and admire the Gospel of Christ
With its love so unfailing and true.
But, what do they say, and what do they think,
Of the Gospel according to YOU?"

III. AM I MERELY RELIGIOUS? (vs. 26-27) It will be noted that James makes no attempt to define "religion"; he merely shows how it is expressed. He is not affirming what is the sum-total, or even the great essentials, of true religion. He is showing something of its effects!

1. TRUE RELIGION WILL INVOLVE PURE LIVING; IT WILL ENABLE ONE TO CONTROL HIS TONGUE, (Ps. 34:13; Col. 4:6; I Peter 3:10).


1. An unbridled tongue, in one professing godliness, is a sure evidence of self-deception; such a person has refused to believe what the mirror of truth reveals.


2. Mere religiosity, that does not require crucifixion of the flesh, is worthless and detrimental.


3. A runaway tongue demonstrates lack of crucifixions; too much religion is "in word only" - a mere profession that perverts truth and righteousness.


2. TRUE RELIGION INVOLVES faith in action - PRACTICAL LOVE.


1. It will be concerned for the need of others, (Deut. 14:29; Is. 1:17, 23; 58:6-8; Matt. 25:36, 40; Luke 14:12-14); accepting its responsibilities according to the word of truth, it will show its faith by its works. This was one of the ways in which such love was first manifested in the church at Jerusalem, (Acts 4:32-37).


2. It will preserve that man of faith from worldly blemishes, (I John 2:15-17; 3:3; 5:18).


3. It is acceptable in the sight of our Heavenly Father.


4. It will manifest itself in obedience to the two great commandments - love of God above all else, and love of one's neighbor as himself.

        CONCLUSION: James concludes the first part of his letter by showing that the Word of God is the fortress of faith as it meets temptation. Knowing that everything "good and perfect" is from God, he insists that all who have been begotten by the Word should fulfill the Devine intention for their lives. In order to do this, the Word, implanted within, must be received with meekness; then we must become actually and actively obedient to its demands.

        To fulfill our responsibilities we must be constantly attentive to the Divine Word; our lives must be abandoned to following its instructions.