But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
James 1:22-25
Picture the members of a football team gathering in a room as the new season approaches. The coaches have prepared film of the first opponent so they can point out their tendencies in game situations. The position groups have new playbooks with each player’s assignments highlighted. The strength trainers have upgraded the weightroom and exercise equipment to ensure peak physical performance. But the players never actually go out to the practice field to run the plays—they just watch film and read their playbooks. They don’t use the gym for training—they just talk about how amazing it looks. How is their season going to go? It will be a disaster. The team probably won’t win a game, and the coach will surely be fired, most likely before the season ends.
It is great for us to know what is right. In fact, it is crucial, but it is not enough. We can understand God’s design and direction, be able to cite chapter and verse to support our doctrines and beliefs and be able to identify errors and false teaching. None of that really makes any difference if we do not put what we know into action. We have to hit the gym and work the weights. We have to go out on the field and run the plays again and again and again. We have to be doers not just hearers. Growth in the Christian life only comes from applied knowledge that is practiced repeatedly. Only then will we enjoy the victories and blessings of obedience.
