what does the bible say?
The New Testament epistle of James is a hard-hitting "Proverbs of the New Testament." James gives many practical instructions to his readers and imparts truths about the character of God and the nature of faith. Toward the beginning of the letter, he writes, "Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves" (James 1:21–22). James further elaborates on what he means by being "doers of the word" when he writes, "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 1:23–25). Believers are called to hear and heed God’s Word, being doers of the Word and not hearers only.