James is eager to persuade his brothers to hear the Word of God so they can face their trials. He has a passion for wisdom and knowledge, and believes the Word is the first source of both. Notice how pervasive the wisdom-knowledge theme is in James 1 (vv. 5, 16, 18-19, 21, 22). Since the Word is so effective, we must receive it and let it do its work in us.

At first glance, the verses in James 1:19b-20 read like simple wisdom proverbs. Believers need wisdom and knowledge, and we learn more by listening than by speaking. Big talkers are rarely good listeners, and angry talkers may not hear a thing. Therefore, we should be deliberate, not rash, in speech. It takes strength to hold the tongue, to wait and deliberate until thoughts grow ripe. This kind of care, with proper emotional self-control, leads to edifying speech.

Anger makes it difficult to get along with other people. It also makes it difficult to go along with God, for anger makes us slow to listen and receive His Word. Therefore, James says, “Get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the Word planted in you, which can save you” (v. 21). James commands us to put away spiritual evil in all its forms. How can we do this?

Ultimately, James says, the Word of God must do this work. Through the Word, God gives birth to His children (v. 18). It discloses our true condition. It describes our need of God’s mercy and directs us to that mercy. It says no one can simply “put off all…wickedness.” The Word of God, implanted in the heart, can change a heart. The implanted Word takes root deep within us and transforms us. It brings conviction of sin and assurance of mercy. It instills faith and creates new life, so that good fruit inevitably follows. Yet, James says, this will not be easy. Wickedness is “rampant” (v. 21); it abounds and grows prolifically.

The Word of God empowers daily growth as we travel the road of salvation. James 1:18-21 says that the Word does three things. First, it gives us birth, so we become God’s firstfruits, uniquely dedicated to Him (v. 18). Second, it promotes righteousness (v. 20). Third, it saves our souls, from the day of salvation through all eternity.

Since the Word has power to save the soul, James says: “Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the Word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like” (vv. 22-24). If we truly hear the Word, we will obey it and bear fruit. But careless listening that never leads to action, is self-deception.

Doers of the Word are active. We may translate James 1:22, “Become a doer,” for James expects his people to turn their professions of faith into action. Theology must lead to practice; faith must lead to deeds (2:24). Those who are wise must show it by their lives (3:13). Anyone who knows the good he ought to do and does not do it, sins (4:17). If we fail to connect creed and conduct, James says, we deceive ourselves. We deceive ourselves if we say we hear the Word, but do not follow it. We also defraud ourselves if we fail to heed the Word, for we miss the opportunity to gain maturity by not laying hold of the Word.

In verses 23-24, James makes a simple but effective illustration. Anyone who hears the Word without doing it is like a man who peers into a mirror and sees his face, but immediately forgets what he looks like. The metaphor suggests two things. First, Scripture is like a mirror to our souls. Just as we gaze in a physical mirror to inspect and perhaps improve our physical appearance, so we should gaze into the spiritual mirror to inspect and improve our spiritual appearance.

Second, like a mirror, Scripture discloses our sin, our need for repentance, and the promise of grace. It reveals our need for amendment. Therefore, we should remember what we see long enough to mend what is amiss. We can beautify our souls by dispatching our sins and vices. But it is folly to see our flaws, then forget them at once.

In reviewing verses 23-25, we see this contrast: One man observes his face in a mirror, goes away, and forgets what he looks like. Another observes the perfect law, perseveres, remembers, and acts upon it. The first man deceives himself. The second man is blessed. Believers must not be content to read the Bible and rush away. When we read Scripture, we gaze into it and abide by it. It deserves our attention because (1) it is perfect and (2) it gives liberty.

The law is perfect because it reflects God’s perfect character. God’s law is perfect because it is perfectly suited to life in this world. The law includes the laws of Moses, the commands of the prophets, and the examples of godly conduct from Old Testament history. When we follow the law, we flourish. When God gave the law, He said, “I have brought you out of bondage,” not, “I hereby bring you into bondage.”

James also describes the law as “the law of liberty.” That is, the law is a source of liberty. Yes, the law limits our freedom in a way. The law against false witness forbids that we say whatever we please, whenever we please. But truth-telling also gives freedom. When we know someone’s word is true, it frees us from oaths, contracts, and other human conventions designed to constrain people to do what they say.

So, James blesses those who gaze into the law, remember it, and do it. Real blessing lies in doing God’s will, not simply knowing it (v. 25). As Jesus said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it” (Luke 11:28). That doing is concrete and it proves we have true religion, as the next passage (James 1:26-27) says.

James questions his readers: Has the Word been implanted in you? Has it saved your soul? Do you persevere with the Word and with the Lord who spoke it? He also commands: If the Word is implanted in you, let it show. Yet James knows obedience is no simple matter. His call to visible obedience may be unflinching, but he knows obedience may be beyond our reach. We need to ask for wisdom (1:5) and for the strength of the implanted Word (1:18, 21). The next passage has a twist concerning our ability to obey. But for now, let us hear his call to receive the Word, to heed it, and to live in the freedom it provides.

James 1:19-25 Study Questions:

In James 1:19-20, what important truths are being taught about human anger, as well as angry speech? In what practical ways can this teaching be helpful to everyone? How is it particularly important for the follower of Jesus?

In verse 21, the command to “put away” sin precedes the command to “receive” the Word. Why might the order of those commands be surprising to us? Does the order seem to be reversed?

What does James mean that implanted Word is “able to save your souls” (v. 21)? What does this mean theologically? How should this reality shape our approach to ministry and life in the church, and affect our relationships?

Why does James speak of deception in verse 22? In what ways is self-deception present and active in a Christian faith that does not involve active obedience?

What do we learn about the Word of God through James’s extended metaphor in 1:23-24? What do we learn about our own sinful tendencies and temptations with regard to God’s Word? In what ways might Scripture illuminate certain aspects of our lives and hearts that we may want to forget?

How does verse 25 offer a conclusion to this section of James’s letter? What themes are repeated? Why might the idea of blessing have been introduced in this verse, and why is that significant?