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When a Person Learns Better, He Should Do Better
When a Person Learns Better, He Should Do Better
James argued for change when he wrote, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 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. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 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” (James 1.22-25).
Compare this to secular work. Companies spend millions of dollars annually to train and equip their employees to perform at their best. In addition to hands-on training, they provide guidebooks, tools, etc. to make the employee’s job easier, safer, and more efficient. When an employee learns how to do something better, his bosses expect him to perform better.
Does our heavenly Father not do the same for us? His powerful word is meant to change us, guide us, equip us, and build us up in the faith! In fact, when one obeys the gospel he is not only saved from his past sins, but he begins a life of spiritual growth involving change. This change is noted by Paul as a transformation. Paul taught, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12.2, ESV). The one who allows the gospel to change him is the one seeking to be transformed (likened to metamorphosis) by only desiring to do what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect. Thus, as a person learns better and changes his behavior to match his new knowledge, he grows in the Lord. His attitude, love, work ethic, principles, opinions, etc. will change as he learns better. Indeed he is growing, but more importantly he changes those things that cause him to be unholy so as to remain holy. On the flip side of that, what happens to one who does not change? He is not growing! Interestingly, our Lord spoke of this lack of growth in the parable of the sower. In Luke 8, He spoke about two separate individuals who start off growing. One does not bear fruit because their love of the world supersedes their love for God (8.14); whereas the other one bears fruits (grows) because of his honest and good heart (8.15). He loves the Lord and allows God’s word to change him as the gospel is intended to do.
One who hears the word of God and yet does not do what he hears is likened to a person who learns better, but does not do better. James taught that this person deceives himself. Notice: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (v. 23) and “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless” (v. 26). Obviously one who studies the book of James will learn he ought to bridle His tongue (see chapter 3), but James contends that if one does not do so (does not do what he learns), that person deceives his heart (himself) and his religion is worthless. These are serious charges against the one whose religion does not match their profession of allegiance to Jesus.
The illustration he uses is noteworthy too (v. 23-25). In fact, it is this writer’s favorite inspired illustration because it causes all who read and understand the illustration to face a heart-piercing decision. The man in the mirror sees all his imperfections (messed-up hair, greasy face, five o’clock shadow) and he has the opportunity as he looks into the mirror to improve himself for the better. In fact, he certainly would not attend a fancy dinner or an important job interview without resolving these imperfections. Unfortunately, some look into God’s mirror (His word) and, while they see their spiritual imperfections, they walk away without correcting these things or choosing to grow in the areas where they are immature. This person is a hearer only and a deceiver of himself.
There are many applications that can be made from this. If one learns that he is to spread the gospel as a Christian what will he do with such information? Dismiss it? Push it to the side for a later date? Imagine that it is the preacher’s job? What if a Christian learns he has put secular and worldly activities before the Lord? Does he continue to push God aside, blatantly disregarding the command to seek Him first and to put Him above all else? What about our use of time? Do we find ourselves doing what we want instead of what God wants? Can one honestly say he grows when he selfishly does for himself and not for the Lord? What if Scripture challenges our opinions on a topic? What if what we think is not what God thinks (see Isaiah 55.8-9)? Should we dismiss a command because we do not agree or we think it unnecessary? What if one learns that they are not loving toward their brethren, that they are holding a grudge, or that they are not as merciful and forgiving as they ought to be? Will this person change their attitude upon learning that God’s children are to be merciful and kind, even and especially to those who are in sin or are our enemies? What if one is approached by caring, loving brethren who want to help him see that he is in sin? Will he react arrogantly, spiraling deeper into sin, or will he humbly recognize their love for him and that God wants him to be restored back to Him? What if two individuals learn they are in an unscriptural marriage? Will they seek “what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12.1-2) or will they continue to live in adultery? What if one was to learn that the entertainment he engages in is sinful? Will he make the decision to only participate in godly entertainment, or will he continue enjoying being entertained by sin, deceiving himself? Obviously, we could cite example after example! Surely, individuals ought to do better as they learn better!
Consider also our growth as a local church. Once a church has studied that we are to maintain the unity that God has given us, will we seek to “maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4.3)? Once a church has studied the principles of biblical giving, does the church continue to give as they have always given or does the giving increase so we can do more work for the Lord? What about our love? Does it increase and abound as we learn it ought to? What if a church that has repeatedly heard passages commanding the practice of New Testament discipline learns one of its members is in open sin. Does the church overlook the issue (as they may have always done) or do they deal with the erring brother or sister? Again, what if Scripture challenges our opinions on the matter? What if our opinion is that we do not need church discipline? What if God says we do? How will the church respond? Will they act as if God does not know what He is talking about? Will they make up their own ideas about what discipline should be or in some cases should not be? Once a church learns that God commands that each local church have elders, does the church see to it that the men are studying and growing to one day be qualified? Are the families equally growing in the Lord so as to not keep a man from serving? If not, why not? What about our work? If a church finds there is more to do than just coming to the assembly and worshipping, do they step up to the plate? Do we truly take care of the sick, shut-in, widows, weak and erring brethren, as God has instructed? If we learn we ought to do more for them, are we willing to change? Are we willing to serve them? Churches ought to do better as they learn better!
The Bible is replete with passages that teach us to grow (2 Peter 3.18; Col. 1.28; Eph. 4.13; Heb. 5.14, etc.). What is the point of gospel preaching each Lord’s Day if we are not going to apply the lessons to our lives? What is the point of Bible classes and daily Bible study if we are not going to change when we learn better? What is the point of the weekly bulletin if we are not going to read the articles and grow from them? Who are we kidding? Learning is of no use if there is no doing. As one person once said, “Change is the end result of all true learning”. When we learn better we ought to do better. If not, we are simply deceiving ourselves. BG
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