What Do You See?

GETTING STARTED

I once stood at the edge of a lake near the base of the Maroon Bells, iconic mountains just outside Aspen, Colorado. I was struck by the perfect reflection of the mountains in the still water. It was a beautiful, overwhelming moment, made so by the picture I saw in the water at my feet. My wife posed an interesting question: If this same lake was located in the middle of the scrub brush of South Texas, would it have the same effect?

  • What do you see when you look at your own reflection?

READ THE WORD: JAMES 1:22-25 (ESV)

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

(Today’s questions focus on verses 22-25.)

  1. What did James contrast with the idea of looking at one’s natural reflection (vss. 22-24)?
  2. What did James mean when he said that those who only hear the word are deceiving themselves (vs. 22)?
  3. How did James describe the law (vs. 25)? What did James mean when he said that “a doer who acts… will be blessed in his doing”?
  4. Would you describe yourself as a doer of the word or only a hearer of it? How are you reflecting the image of God to the world around you?

RESPOND TO GOD

James was very clear that we are changed individuals when we choose to obey the message of the Scriptures. In fact, he pointed out that we begin to reflect something other than ourselves when we live a life of obedience. Obedience should lead to action; otherwise, we are merely fooling ourselves. Through action we begin to reflect the freedom found in the perfect law, which Jesus fulfilled. In taking on this new countenance, we can fully experience the blessings of joy, peace, and hope that Jesus promises.

  • Ask God to reveal your true reflection. Honestly confess if you have been only a “hearer of the word” and ask God to make you a doer.
  • Pray for opportunities this week to reveal Jesus to those around you.