Addressing the persecuted and scattered believers of the early Church, James speaks to them about living out their faith in daily life. If our faith is alive and active, it should guide our every action and gradually transform us. Though his words are often surrounded by controversy, with some thinking he stressed deeds over faith, the real lesson is clear: faith in God naturally overflows into our actions, but the reverse is not necessarily true. Even today, many have forgotten the faith aspect and focus instead on works and good deeds as a way to build faith. Yet we must understand that faith comes from God alone and not through our works.
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
James 1:19-20 (NIV)
Drawing from an age-old proverb, James echoes the wisdom that reminds us of the value of careful listening and the danger of anger, which often leads to hasty and regrettable words. When we fail to listen, frustration and disappointment set in, leaving us isolated and even depressed. Our natural pattern is to judge quickly and form opinions about others without truly knowing their background, stance, or thought process. This tilts us towards hatred rather than understanding.
Instead, we are called to listen, to empathise with others, and to let God’s wisdom guide our words. We should open our mouths only when we have something meaningful to say, not fill the air with empty speech. If we only talk and never listen, we will fail to love others and, in time, their thoughts will only provoke us to anger. Anger is not from God but from the evil one. What comes from Him is compassion and love, even when faced with hatred. Jesus even equated anger with murder, for it unsettles us, makes us lose balance, and corrodes the heart. The Holy Spirit and God’s Word are planted within us, guiding our thoughts and actions. When we give in to anger, we ignore these teachings and fail to walk in step with God.
Many believe that anger is justified if it is for the right reason, thinking it can lead to righteousness. But is it truly acceptable to get angry, even for a good cause or to correct others? The truth is, anger does not help. It usually drives people into defence or forces them to agree outwardly, while their hearts grow even harder. We often see this in pastors who berate their congregations from the pulpit—yet the people remain unchanged and distant from Christ. God has not called us to rely on anger or brute force, but to depend on His Spirit and His wisdom to draw others to Him.
Doers of the Word
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.
James 1:23-24 (NIV)
Simply listening to the words of Jesus without putting them into practice does not help us. Just as listening to a health expert but ignoring their advice will not improve our health, hearing Jesus’ teachings but not applying them, leaves our spiritual life in tatters. Luke writes that the Berean Jews (Acts 17:11) were more noble than those in Thessalonica because they received Paul’s message eagerly and examined the Scriptures daily to see if what he said was true. Yet, even though they understood and believed the message, many did not apply it, and they were easily swayed. This shows that while people may understand God’s Word, very few are willing to live it out and experience the transformation it offers. Even those who believe can struggle to face trials and remain faithful because they never truly acted on their faith.
We often know the Word in theory but fail to apply it in real life. When trials come, our faith weakens, and we drift away from God. James illustrates this with the example of a mirror: people quickly correct their outward appearance when they see flaws, but when shown the condition of their soul, no one takes steps to correct it. They assume that because no one else can see their inner flaws, there is no need to act, and so they ignore the corrective Word of God in their lives. Similarly, Jesus’ teaching to give everything to the poor is often accepted in theory but rarely practiced. If we never learn to depend on God rather than on our wealth, then when uncertainty or loss comes, we are unprepared, because we never practiced applying His Word in our daily lives.
People with theoretical faith may know Scripture, agree with its truths, and even feel inspired, but when trials or challenges come, their faith does not guide their actions. Practical faith, on the other hand, is faith that is lived out. It shapes decisions, guides behaviour, and shows itself in love, obedience, and trust in God, even in difficult circumstances. Practical faith transforms the heart and life, producing good deeds naturally as a byproduct, not as a means to earn salvation.
Only Grace Can Save
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 (NIV)
Billionaire philanthropists, for example, take on social projects to build or repair their public image—transforming from corporate sharks into seemingly compassionate figures. This leads to people often focusing more on doing good works rather than cultivating a genuine relationship with God. Some believe that good works alone can earn eternal life, not knowing that salvation comes only by God’s grace. While faith and deeds are both important, deeds should flow naturally from our faith, not serve as proof of it. Ultimately, only one thing is necessary for salvation: grace. Yet we often act as if we must earn what God freely gives.
James uses the example of deeds for the poor to suggest that faith shows itself through action. However, in reality, actions alone are not proof of faith. For instance, atheists are often very active in social causes, helping many people purely out of compassion. Christians, on the other hand, may leave social work to God, relying on prayers and blessings as their “currency” for helping others, which may have little tangible effect.
If an atheist performs the most good deeds and helps the most people, does that mean they have faith in God? Clearly not. Actions alone do not define faith. God looks at the heart rather than mere actions. He knows the intentions behind every deed, whether of a believer or an atheist. An atheist may have a better heart if their actions are motivated solely by genuine concern for others, rather than a religious person seeking recognition, status, or reward for their deeds. Thus, while good deeds are valuable, they are not a substitute for true faith. Faith shapes the heart, and from a heart aligned with God, deeds naturally flow—not as proof, but as a byproduct of faith.
Abraham believed in the goodness of God, and that faith made him righteous. Depending on our own deeds alone will never make us righteous. While deeds flow from faith, faith itself is grounded in God’s grace. True deeds should naturally emerge from within us, not superficially, but in a way that brings actual transformation in people’s lives. Just as the body is dead without the Spirit, our faith is not necessarily dead if it has no deeds. God’s grace continues to work in us, guiding us to walk in His ways, even when our actions do not fully reflect our faith. He never withdraws His grace; it is present even when our deeds fall short.
Often, we view faith and deeds through the lens of public opinion rather than in the eyes of the Lord. Faith and deeds are not interchangeable, yet both operate within us through the grace of God, working together to shape our lives. Let us approach God and seek His help, allowing Him to let His grace work in us, activating true faith that can come from the Author of Faith alone.
Discussion Topics
- How is anger detrimental to our spiritual growth?
- Is there ever a time when our anger is justified when it leads someone to righteousness?
- What is the difference between faith in theory and faith in practice?
- Are faith and deeds both essential for salvation?
- Must our faith always be accompanied by action?
The Jordan Valley 
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