Doers of the Word

by Anne Elliott, August 31, 2002

You know, I think one of the toughest things about being a wife and mom is trying to actually do what I know I should.  For instance, I have studied much about nutrition so that I can feed my family properly.  I care about having healthy kids and a healthy husband.  However, those candy bars and French fries still call to me…  “Just this once, Anne… it really won’t hurt…”  Why is it so difficult to turn beliefs into action?

The Bible says that we are to “be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving our own selves” (James 1:22).  I know that I fall into this trap easily.  I was raised in a Christian home, and my head is full of biblical knowledge, but it can be really tough to apply what I know to my actions each day.  Even worse is when I deceive myself into thinking that I’m a good Christian, just because I know what to do.  Do you have this problem, too?

Don’t get discouraged.  First, remember that Jesus is our ultimate example.  Remember His weakness when Satan tempted Him in the wilderness?  No food for forty days, alone all that time.  Then Satan tempted Jesus with things that must have been very dear to Him, being the Son of God.  Things like ruling the world.  However, Jesus defeated Satan with the simple (and so-hard-to-remember-to-do) recitation of Scripture.

It might be helpful to make a list in your notebook of your weak areas.  Ask God to bring them to mind so that you can improve.  Maybe you could compare yourself to some lists in Scripture such as the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23 or the list in 2 Peter 1:5-9.  A second helpful step would be to find and begin to memorize helpful verses.  A concordance can help you, or maybe you could ask your pastor or his wife for suggestions.  After making your list, it might be helpful to write the verses on 3x5 cards and keep them with you.  Remember what David wrote:  “How can a young man keep his way pure?  By living according to your word…I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:9, 11).

Finally, as you begin to work on your problem areas, remember to take it easy on others.  Everyone has a weakness (or two… or three…).  Christ instructed his disciples to remove the plank from their own eyes before trying to remove the speck from others’ eyes (Matthew 7:1-5).  That’s tough!  We look at others and wonder why they don’t just shape up!  Can’t they see?  Well, no, they can’t.  Or maybe they can, but like us, they just have a really hard time turning knowledge into action.  Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

As a parting word of encouragement, take the time to read what the Apostle Paul wrote about his own personal struggle in Romans 7:7-8:1.  He finishes, “What a wretched man I am!  Who will rescue me from this body of death?  Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

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