HELEN SANDERS

3-16-2025

BE DOERS OF THE WORD

Years ago, I was invited to go to a lady’s bible study. I had not done that before, even though I had been a Christian for a long time. The study was on the book of James, and I decided to go. After all, a little religion can’t hurt anyone, right?

When the leader got to James 1:22 which reads, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” something happened inside me. I knew I was not a “doer” of the word. I heard it but I was not living it.

Like many Christians I thought I was okay. I had not stolen anything. I seldom told an untruth, and I had not murdered anyone. I was deceived like that verse said. I had been in church, but I was not a “doer of the word.”  

As she read that word, it pierced my heart. You see, the word of God is defined in Hebrews as a twoedged sword. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is quick [alive] and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

That scripture in James 1:22 pierced my heart, and I saw myself the way God saw me. I was a backslidden Christian. I sang in the choir, led the music for children, and thought of myself as a “good” person, but I was not living the life I should be living.

When that first pierced my heart, I knew I had a choice, to either repent and determine to be a “doer” of the word or displease God and face the consequences. I chose to be a “doer” of the word. I have made a lot of mistakes since that day, but with the Lord’s help, I still choose to be a doer of the word. If God asks me to do something, or to not do something, then I will follow him.

What about you? Are you a doer of the word, or just a hearer of the word like I was? I pray that you are a doer and not just a hearer. As things in the world turn more chaotic, it is so important to do what God asks of us. The first thing to do is to daily feed your spirit by reading the word of God. Then, you will know by the leading of the Holy Spirit what to do!

Thank you for being with us today.

Russell and Helen Sanders

Spirit of Life Ministries International, Inc.

www.spiritoflifeintl.org