There is a subtle deception that attending meetings, conferences and seminars is doing the work of God. We listen to messages and talk about what we know we should be doing, and the delusion creeps over us that we are accomplishing His will. What we are actually doing is increasing our responsibility and deceiving ourselves. We deceive ourselves that we are spiritual when actually we might be quite carnal. We deceive ourselves that we are growing when the truth is that we are stagnant. We deceive ourselves that we are wise when we are pathetically foolish.Jesus said that the wise man is the one who hears His words and does them. The foolish man also hears His words but does nothing about them.It is not enough to listen to a sermon and walk away saying "What a marvelous message." The true test is when we go away saying, "I will do something about what I heard." Someone has said that a good sermon not only stretches the mind, warms the heart, and tans the hide but it also provokes the will to action.In the middle of his message, a preacher once asked his audience the name of the first hymn they had sung. No one knew. He asked the text of Scripture that had been read. No one knew. He asked what announcements had been made. No one could remember. The people were playing church.Before every meeting, we might well ask ourselves the following questions. Why did I come? Am I willing to have God speak to me personally? Will I obey Him if He does?The Dead Sea justly earned its name by constant input without corresponding outflow. In our lives, information without application leads to stagnation. The Savior's persistent question comes home to us, "Why call ye me Lord, Lord and do not the things that I say?"

With reverence, humor and skill, William MacDonald wove a daily devotional tapestry that challenges the reader to think deeply and Biblically, and apply God's Word to their lives.

Truths to Live By - One Day at a Time

"Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." (James 1:22)

Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. § Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart. § I sat down in his shade with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. § I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food. I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart. § My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes … More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. § Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror.

Daily Light on the Daily Path or Daily Light is a Christian daily devotional scripture reading published by Bagster & Sons about 1875. It has been reprinted continually since then. It consists of brief groupings of scripture passages which speak to prominent Biblical themes—two themes (morning and evening) for each day of the year. It appends no commentary, but simply allows scripture to speak for itself.

Morning Daily Light

 I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 

Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. § Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving. § [Cast] all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith. Why do you call Me “Lord, Lord,” and not do the things which I say? § But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Evening Daily Light

 We made our prayer to our God,and … set a watch against them. 

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

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James 1:22

 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.  

From Wikipedia: 

The New International Version (NIV) is an English translation of the Bible first published in 1978 by Biblica (formerly the International Bible Society). The NIV was published to meet the need for a modern translation done by Bible scholars using the earliest, highest quality manuscripts available. Of equal importance was that the Bible be expressed in broadly understood modern English.

The NIV is published by Zondervan in the United States and Hodder & Stoughton in the UK. The NIV was updated in 1984 and 2011 and has become one of the most popular and best-selling modern translations.

OT: Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia; additional sources;
NT: UBS Greek New Testament; Novum Testamentum Graece; additional sources;

New International Version

 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.  

Bible Verse of the Day

January 18, 2026

James 1:22 NIV

Verse by Verse Bible Study

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