James 1:19-27 LISTEN AND ACT Real living faith is always known by its fruits. Faith is tested and shown by our temptations. Faith is also shown by our works. This is the heart of the message of this epistle. The goodness and light of God is contrasted with evil and darkness [Ps.27:1; Isa.60:19-22; Jn.1:1-14]. Those first-generation Christians were a “kind of first fruits” of that which we are and have by faith. There are three areas of our lives we need to be very clear about that James pointed out. Do not be deceived about God, v.16, do not be deceived about ourselves, v.22, and do not be deceived about religion, v.26.
Talking and listening are both basic ways of communicating. If we talk more than we listen, we are telling others our thoughts and ideas are more important than theirs. We should value what other people say and give others the courtesy of listening and evaluating their viewpoint. We should not allow anger to erupt when we fail to win an argument, are offended or ignored. Self-centered anger never helps anyone. The Lord taught this same lesson in His sermon on the mount. Watch out for your anger, it can be dangerous [Jas.1:20; Mat.5:22]. Testing requires patience and quietness, v.19-21. “Swift to hear”, v.19 is a reminder to us to hear and obey the Word of God.
We can be sure of the word of God. When we practice truth, compassionate service is evidence to the watching world of the reality of our faith. Our Lord directed us to be merciful as does James 2:13. Our faith expresses itself in helping others, James 2:14. We must get rid of anything that is wrong, the "superfluity of naughtiness" is any abundance of wickedness. When we receive the word of God with conviction and the strength of meekness, that "engrafted word" takes root because it is planted in us right from the time we were saved. It is by that “engrafted” word that the contrast is made with the rank growth of wickedness (weeds).
When we hear the word of God, it is important that we do what it says. That which we learn and practice is reflected in our behavior and attitude. When we read and [practice the word of God we see what we really are. The law gives us a reflection of our sinful condition and gives us the opportunity to confess our sins and be forgiven. We should not be deceived about ourselves [1:22]. We are saved by grace and freed from the power of sin to live in the spiritual freedom God gives is. That frees us to obey Him and serve Him acceptably. Faith is shown to be real in the actions of a “doer” of the word. God’s Word does not keep us in bondage, but liberates us to act in coordination with God’s orderliness around us. That control is true liberty. Do not be deceived about religion [1:26]. Talk, without the life of faith to back it up, is valueless. The life of faith is hardest to live in places and among people that are most familiar. The Word of God is a mirror. We must obey what we read. When we look carefully into the Word, study it, and through it see ourselves; the obedience it produces, is spiritual liberty [Jn.8:30-32]. This is in the private life of the believer.
We may think we are spiritual because of all we know and do, but if our tongue is not controlled and our words are not appropriate, we are not spiritual. it is incumbent on us to control our speech with a tight rein. The public life of a believer and our practice of the Word is seen in verses 26-27. The characteristics of pure religion are 1] Self-control – a bridled tongue [3:2], 2] Love for others, and 3] a clean life. To “visit” means “care for”. This is more than stopping by someone's home to have a little conversation. A controlled tongue, sacrificial service and a clean heart come from acting on the Word of God. We need to care for the powerless people. Don’t adapt to the world’s value system.
“Perfect” is used several times: 1] God’s perfect work [v.1-12] is His purpose to mature us. 2] God’s perfect gift [v.13-20] is His goodness to us in times of testing. 3] God’s perfect law [v.21-27] is the Word that strengthens and sustains us. When we are committed to caring for other people, for their comfort and acceptance among God's people, this is fundamental to being a child of God. Powerless people need an advocate and they particularly need to know they are people of significance in the church of God when they are widows or orphans. Putting the truth of God into practice by meeting the needs of others with no hope of receiving a return, is true service for the Lord. We serve God when we serve people.
At the same time, we are meeting the needs of others, we must keep ourselves from the moral and spiritual pollution of the world. Divine truth, high ethical standards and morals are diametrically opposed to the world system. True faith is not based on money, power and pleasure. Christian faith is not religion. It is unreserved trust in the Righteous God and our Gracious Father.