Look In The Mirror

Look in the Mirror

Q: According to the book of James, we shouldn’t just listen to God’s Word but also

• a. preach it to others.
• b. do what it says.
• c. commit it to memory.

Imagine you are getting ready for school. You get dressed, brush your hair, and check yourself out in the mirror. If there’s hair out of place, you fix it.

The book of James compares hearing the Bible with using a mirror: “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.” You may hear or read the Bible in church, during family devotions, or during your own quiet time. But if you hear and then forget, it’s not very helpful.

Listening to Bible truths, remembering them, and obeying them will make a difference in your life. Perhaps you read from Colossians 3 and learn that God wants you to clothe yourself with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and love so you can live in harmony with others (see Colossians 3:12-15). But a few minutes later you go to watch your favorite television show and find your brother watching a ball game. You ask to watch your show, but he doesn’t budge. You shout at him, throw the remote, and stomp out of the room. You may have read Colossians, but you didn’t apply it, because you were angry.

When you read God’s Word and obey it, it will change your heart. That will change your actions and attitudes.

For You

Sometimes God’s Word shows us there are changes we need to make in our lives. If we seek to obey and live out the Word, God promises we’ll be blessed (see James 1:25). As you read the Bible this week, let it soak into your mind and heart so you can live it out each day.

Answer: b

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

(The Whole Story: James 1:19-27)