As we move through the study of deception we will continue in James chapter one. We see in verses 22-25 that we learn how to overcome self-deception by putting our faith into action. We are not just to hear the word but according to verse 22, we are to do it. In the last devotion called “self-deception,” we talked about how important it is to receive the word and how we are responsible for what we hear. It is not enough to attend church and hear the Word preached. You must allow it to change you from the inside out. If there is no change, you are deceiving yourself. If we allow God’s Word to change us we will have fruit that is lasting, and visible to others.
James 1:22 “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
These next three verses deal with the way we see ourselves when looking in a mirror. A mirror is used to observe how we appear. As women, we usually have much more time in front of the mirror than men. Ron shaves, combs his hair, and brushes his teeth – done! I dry my hair, curl my hair, brush my hair, cleanse and moisturize my face, brush my teeth, then start the process of putting the outer layer of makeup on. I begin with the face, move to the eyes, finish with the lips, and I’m done. I stated all this to show you how to look but not really see. I’ve spent a lot more time than Ron, but time is not always an indication that things are done the right way. We have looked without truly seeing. It’s like putting on makeup to cover up a blemish when medication is what we really need. We need to learn to peel back the layers and peer deep within.
So many times, we look in our spiritual mirrors and just take a glance. Many Christians read through the Bible, but it is no more than a religious exercise. It is a “checking off the box” attitude. There is a lot of time involved in reading through the Bible, but there is very little spiritual value in just reading. It is detrimental to you because you deceive yourself daily. You’re convinced you’ve studied the Word when all you’ve done is read a book. You’ve glanced in the mirror just to check and see that you’ve done the basics.
Other times we look in the mirror, but as soon as we walk away we forget what we see. “For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.” This person never changes because he never looks deep enough to realize he needs to change. When Isaiah saw God in Isaiah 6:5 it was not a glace, and he was so moved he couldn’t just walk away and ignore it. He saw himself in the perfect mirror, God.
Isaiah 6:5 “Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.”
James 1:23 – 25 “For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect “law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”
These verses are to be heeded! If we see ourselves as Isaiah did we will have no problem doing the word of God. We will understand God’s grace applied to our lives, and the gratitude will be overwhelming. We will see what a great God we have, that could love such a flawed creation. This kind of grace should send us to our knees, and cause us to be consumed with pleasing God. This kind of attitude will be a doer of the word. Not because he feels guilty. Not because someone else expects him to serve. Not because it is a duty, and he must obey but because of love for God. He will be looking deep to figure out where he is falling short of the perfect image, and seeking to allow God to change him.
James calls God’s word the “perfect law of liberty” because when we obey it God sets us free! When we do not obey we become a slave to it.
John 8:34 “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.”
Liberty is not a freedom to sin it is a freedom from sin! We are free from its control and its penalty!
Psalm 119:45 “And I will walk in liberty, for I seek thy precepts.”
John 8:31-32 “If ye continue in My Word, then are ye my disciples indeed: and ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”
