Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
In this verse, James outlines the relationship between faith and works. He recognizes that there are some that profess to be Christians who do not have a saving faith, but he is also aware that there are those that have a genuine saving faith but show little or no outward evidence of their foundation. So he cautions all genuine Christians to do what the Word says and not just listen to the Word. James seeks to distinguish between genuine faith and false faith, but mainly he differentiates between a spiritual Christian and a carnal, fleshly, worldly Christian; between a fruitful believer and an unfruitful believer; between a spiritual man or woman and one who is truly saved by grace through faith in Christ, but is not producing the good works of righteousness which God has prepared for us to do. James knows that a carnal believer may have a genuine saving faith and yet be walking in the flesh and not showing forth any good works in their lives. And so James gives many examples of what it means to be a fruitful Christian, but he also warns against the emptiness and dangers of remaining an unfruitful believer. For doing so demonstrates self-deception. Every believer should be growing in grace, maturing in the faith, walking in spirit and truth, and bringing forth the good works of righteousness which God Himself has prepared for us to do. Every believer should become a doer of the Word and not simply a hearer only. Indeed, we are encouraged to be quick to hear, for faith comes by hearing the Word of God. However, we should also be wise in our actions and prudent in our reactions by being slow to speak and slow to anger; for angry men do not achieve the righteousness of God. James calls all fleshly, carnal Christians to repent of their ungodly ways and in humility of heart to receive the Word of God and to act on it faithfully, humbly, and wisely. This demonstrates to our brothers and sisters in Christ that we are doing what the Word says and not merely listening to it. May we who have been rooted in Christ by grace, seek to be fruitful in our Christian walk, by bearing much fruit to the glory of God…as we abide in Christ and He in us.
Spiritual Steve 