James 1:23-24 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.

A dear brother once told me that not everyone is introspective. I found that amazing, not because of the truth of the matter, but because I couldn’t imagine a life lived without introspection. My failing to those people is that I don’t understand them. I have always been introspective. My problem in my earlier years is that I did not like what I saw in myself.

James tells us to be reflective, to see if we can look at ourselves in the mirror and notice change. Having done that, can you hold that image in your mind as you leave the mirror? The issue here is consistent behavior. Are you the same person alone that you are in public? No one tell you that except yourself. An honest evaluation of self is required to do that.

I have never lied to myself. Much of my life I was disappointed in myself. I lived a life of regret because I couldn’t find the strength within myself to act any other way. I even said this is the way God made me, get over it. That was true and yet not the whole truth. What was missing was Christ in me who could and would strengthen the inner man, to do what is right.

Ephesians 3:16-19 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Know Christ in you.

James 1:21-24 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 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.

Something terrible happens in the world and officials stand before the media and strongly condemn those actions. Those are just words and nothing happens, nothing changes, because they are just words. Empty and hollow are words if nothing happens.

Have you ever said, “I believe in the Word of God.” Good, what are you doing about it? “I believe in Jesus Christ.” Good, what are you doing about it? “I repent of my sin.” Great, what are you doing about it?

1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

If the Word of God is truly in you who believe, then it is effectual, meaning there is cause and effect. It changes your mind, it changes your heart and it changes how you act. If the Word of God dwells richly in your heart, then it and only it is responsible for the life it produces.

Colossians 3:16-17 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.