”But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.’ – James 1:22-24 NLT
How do you forget what you look like when you just saw your face in the mirror?
I admit, I forget sometimes. I think such forgetfulness comes from not intently looking at your face, studying it, or planning to remember it.
The same can be said about the Word. Don’t just read it and forget. Meditate on it. Think about it. Ask the indwelling Spirit: “What does this mean?” He will give you understanding (James 1:5).
As God helps you to develop the discipline to meditate on His word, remember that it is important that you do the word (put what the Bible says into practice).
For example, ‘If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.’ – James 1:26-27 NLT
Controlling your tongue in a situation when you are angry, is possible, but it requires that we remember the word, when it says: ‘The anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.’ (James 1:20)
Meditating on God’s word, helps us to remember His word.
In any and every situation, remembering God’s word, helps us to do what it says.
PRAYER: Lord help me to hide Your word in my heart, that I may not sin against You. Help me to do what Your word says. Help me to choose You in Jesus’ name. Amen.