How often do we hear a good word, but then don’t put the word into practice? James calls this being “self-deceived”. He goes on to explain that when we live this way, we lose our identity. Perhaps a key reason the church isn’t operating in the full power of our identity is because we are bound in self-deception. 

Recently the Lord spoke to one of our leaders in a dream about the severity of self-deception in the Church. Before he had a chance to share the dream with me, the Lord put it on my heart to preach about overcoming self-deception! When He shared the dream with me the day after I preached about it, I was shocked by how specifically the Lord was emphasizing self-deception as a critical sin we must overcome. 

James 1:21b – 22 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.

Notice how James says the word is able to save our souls. But it’s not simply hearing the word; it’s doing the word that has transforming power. Faith comes by hearing the word, but the power of transformation comes by living it out.

Hearing the word isn’t doing the word. Understanding the word isn’t doing the word. Agreeing with the word isn’t doing the word. The only thing that qualifies as doing the word is … doing the word. Even if our attempts are weak, anyone who leans into the grace of God to walk out the word will experience the transforming power of the word in their life.

Our addiction to hearing and hearing without actually practicing the word is ultimately incredibly destructive. Consider Jesus’ words:

Matthew 7:24-27  "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 "But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."

Both are made of the same material, the words of Jesus. Both experience the same storm. Hear me -- Storms are coming! Nobody gets to sidestep the storms. The only difference between the two houses is the foundation. Sand is the forgetful hearer; rock is the effectual doer (James 1:25). What is the foundation of our lives, sand or stone? There is not a third option. 

In light of all of this, I want to offer three simple steps I’m going through right now to overcome any areas of self-deception in my life:

1. Take Inventory – I’m asking the Holy Spirit to show me the areas of my life that I am knowingly or unknowingly disobeying the word of God in my life. As He shows me different areas of inconsistency, I’m repenting and asking for grace to live what I’ve heard.

1. Take Note – I’m paying attention to the word that I’m reading, studying, and hearing. When I hear something that convicts me or instructs me I’m asking the Lord to help me to walk it out in my life.

1. Take Action – I’m making practical changes to how I live day in and day out so that I can walk out the word I’m hearing. NIKE’s old ad campaign offers sage advice; JUST DO IT!

We need the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with courage to walk out the word of God in our lives. Living the gospel without apology can be very challenging and awkward. Especially if others don’t understand what the Lord is speaking to you. In love and humility I encourage you today to rid yourself of any self-deception and make a commitment in the grace of God to live what you believe, even if it’s difficult. The Holy Spirit will help you. Lean into His grace and ask for courage to walk it out!