What good is knowledge if we do not act on it? Is wisdom actually “wisdom” if it’s not acted upon? I think of so many times that I have been given advice and while I thought it was great, never put the advice into practice. Reading the Bible, I can see so many instances of advice, wisdom, and actions that I should be doing but don’t.
In James 1:23 it says,
“Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.”
I just have to say, oof. How many times have I read the Bible and didn’t do what it said to do? Too many times to count. There have been so many times when I’ve received and given the advice to read the Bible and spend time with God. But I’m not good at always making sure I do it.
Something that speaks to me about this verse is that it compares the word, or Bible, to a mirror. I know that the Bible is a picture of who God was, is, will be, and always is. I also know that part of our callings as Christians is to emulate what we see in the Bible and take it as wisdom and act on it.
Today, I have the perfect example of this: My parents have been in town for the week leading up to the fourth of July. I love my parents and one of the many reasons is the advice they give me. Advice for little things like how to take care of my home, how to deal with situations at work, and even things about God. Just 30 min. ago I told my dad what I’m wanting to write about and the first thing he asked, “Have you prayed about it?”. I told him I had but it’s always good to have a reminder. 10 min. ago my mother asked me the same thing…
Ladies, here’s the thing, God wants us to seek Him and remember. In Psalm 119:132-133 we see the psalmist cry out to God,
“Turn to me and have mercy on me,
as you always do to those who love your name.
Direct my footsteps according to your word;
let no sin rule over me.”
How often do you stop and cry out to God to help you in what you are trying to accomplish? For me I’ve seen my parents be this kind of example. Now don’t get me wrong, they are human too and have struggles like I do. But I see them pursuing God and acting on what He has to tell them. Just the other day my dad misplaced something important and what is the first thing my mom does? She prays aloud for God to show us where the item was located. A few hours later, we found the object that was lost.
Mom had faith that we would be led to the item, that God would help us find it. I believe that God was going to help us find it. But if we stopped looking for it all together, what would that have done?
“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?
(James 2:14)
Is it faith to pray and then do nothing but sit? Have you prayed for something but haven’t taken any steps? Personally, me and my husband have prayed and prayed for a baby…but what do you have to do to have a baby? Tell you what, we must do more than pray in that case. There has only been one immaculate birth, Jesus, and I don’t expect to have a baby that way. If we don’t try to conceive a baby, knowing that God has said that he will give us one, is that faith?
It what ways has your faith been tested? How has God asked you to move in Faith?
Bethany Thomas is the Publicity Coordinator and a contributing writer for Shaken & Stirred. She is a daughter of God, a wife, and a dog mom. When not writing for the blog, you are most likely to find her reading a fantasy novel or crafting at her home in Sapulpa, OK.
Photo by Михаил Секацкий on Unsplash