Listening, Doing, and True Religion

 A Reflection on James 1:19-27

The Epistle of James is renowned for its practical wisdom, and one of its most striking passages is found in James 1:19-27. In this section, James outlines essential qualities that every Christian should cultivate—listening attentively, controlling one's speech, and living a life that reflects genuine faith through action. It’s a call to live out the gospel not just in belief but in how we behave toward others and in our devotion to God.

1. Be Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak, and Slow to Anger (James 1:19-20)

   

James begins with a powerful exhortation: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” In just a few words, he emphasizes the importance of self-control, particularly in our communication and emotional responses. We live in a world where quick opinions, impulsive reactions, and fiery debates are common, yet James calls us to slow down, to listen more carefully, and to avoid jumping to anger.

William Barclay comments on this passage: “In speech and in action, the Christian must always remember that he is the ambassador of Christ, and that in any moment, through him, others will form their impression of what Christianity is.”

   Why? Because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires”(1:20). Anger often leads to rash words and unwise actions that do not reflect the justice or love of God. Instead, James urges us to adopt a posture of humility and calm, which allows us to respond to others in ways that promote peace and righteousness.

 

 2. Receive the Word Humbly (James 1:21)

James follows this call to restraint with the instruction to get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you” (1:21). Here, James reminds us that as Christians, we must continually allow God's Word to shape our lives. This means casting off sinful behaviors and attitudes and receiving God’s truth with humility and openness.

Eugene Peterson, in The Message, paraphrases this verse beautifully: “In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life.” This imagery of God planting His Word in our hearts speaks to the need for ongoing cultivation—a continuous openness to let God shape our lives through His truth.

Alexander Maclaren reflects on this process of transformation: “The reception of the implanted word is the first step to all Christian excellence. Unless we accept that word as authoritative and formative, there will be no beginning of any new life in us.” Maclaren emphasizes that true change begins when we humbly allow God’s Word to take root in our hearts, shaping our desires, actions, and character.

The Word of God, planted in our hearts, has the power to transform and save us. But we must not only hear it; we must also accept it and let it take root, guiding our thoughts, actions, and desires.

3. Be Doers of the Word, Not Hearers Only (James 1:22-25)

One of the central themes in the book of James is the relationship between faith and action. In verses 22-25, James issues a strong challenge: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”(1:22). Hearing God’s Word without putting it into practice is, according to James, self-deception. He compares it to looking in a mirror and immediately forgetting what you look like (1:23-24).

This metaphor highlights the absurdity of knowing the truth but failing to act on it. When we look into the mirror of God’s Word, we see a reflection of our true selves—both our flaws and our potential to grow in Christ. But if we do not live out what we have learned, we fail to experience the transformation that God desires for us.

Charles Spurgeon highlights the danger of self-deception: “It is not enough to hear the word of God, but we must keep it, and not deceive ourselves by a bare assent to it.” Spurgeon warns that if we hear God’s commands but fail to live by them, we deceive ourselves into thinking we are walking in faith when we are not.

However, the person who “looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it”(1:25)—that is, the one who not only hears but also acts—will be blessed. Obedience to God's Word brings true freedom and blessing, as it aligns our lives with God’s will.

4. Controlling the Tongue and Practicing True Religion (James 1:26-27)

   

James concludes this passage by addressing two key marks of a genuine faith: controlling one’s speech and practicing true religion.

   “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless”(1:26). James emphasizes the power of our words and the importance of self-discipline in our speech. If we claim to follow Christ but allow our tongues to run wild—speaking carelessly, harshly, or deceitfully—then our faith is compromised. 

Alexander Maclaren observes: “If any man thinks himself to be religious, and bridles not his tongue, his religion is vain. A bitter tongue and a bitter heart cannot show forth a sweet gospel.” Maclaren stresses that our speech must align with the gospel we proclaim. If our words are harmful or reckless, they betray the very faith we profess. True religion requires integrity, not only in what we believe but also in how we communicate.

Finally, James gives a clear and concise definition of pure and faultless religion: “to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (1:27). True religion, according to James, is not about rituals, appearances, or empty words. Instead, it’s about compassion for the vulnerable and living a life of holiness. 

William Barclay comments on this passage: “Real religion does not lie in elaborate outward rituals, but in practical help given to those who need it and in keeping our lives unspotted from the world.” Caring for orphans and widows, who in ancient society were often the most helpless and marginalized, reflects God’s heart for justice and mercy. Meanwhile, keeping oneself from being polluted by the world underscores the need for purity, integrity, and spiritual vigilance in a world that can easily lead us astray.

Conclusion: Faith in Action

James 1:19-27 offers a rich picture of what it means to live out a genuine, vibrant Christian faith.  Faith is meant to transform how we live—shaping our speech, our attitudes, and our actions toward others.

It calls us to:

- Listen more and speak less.

- Control our anger.

- Humbly accept God’s Word.

- Put our faith into action, not merely listen to the Word.

- Watch our words and live out a faith that actively cares for others.

In these verses, James calls believers to a holistic faith—one that is not just about intellectual belief or religious identity but is demonstrated through transformed living. As Matthew Henry wisely concludes, “The more we hear, the more closely we should examine ourselves by what we hear.”

True religion is found not in mere hearing but in doing, and it is expressed through love, mercy, and purity.