Devotions on F.I.R.E. Year OneSample

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves (James 1:22).

Have you been employing what you've been learning?

James, the half-brother of the Lord, commands the saints to apply what they have learned. Although it is true that "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17), putting into practice what you have heard is the final step of Bible study. The wise bondservant of God doesn't want the believers to fall into Satan's trap by "deceiving yourselves”. James' term "deceiving" comes from a compound Greek word from the preposition aside, implying misdirection, and to reason. He is concerned that they are falsely reasoning like the hearer of the Bible "observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was" (James 1:23-24). The Scripture is given for us to know God through practicing its content.

Employment Point: Intently hear God's Word and employ its message.