Today's Verse: James 1:22

Monday, July 21, 2025

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
— James 1:22
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Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Most of us try to live by the old proverb: "The proof of the pudding is in the eating." Well, the proof of biblical wisdom and understanding is in the living. Knowing the truth doesn't mean much; living the truth is everything. Jesus said that knowing the truth and not living it makes us foolish and brings destruction on ourselves and our efforts (Matthew 7:21-27). No wonder that James, Jesus' brother, made Jesus' point very clear: we must obey what we know to be the truth, or we deceive and destroy ourselves!

My Prayer...

O Lord God, please empower me with your Spirit as I seek to not only "practice what I preach," but also show my obedience to your will and live consistently to honor and obey you in my daily life. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord, and ask for the Spirit's help to be an authentic disciple of my Savior who doesn't just listen to his words, but I do what they say. Amen.

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Illustration

Illustration of James 1:22 — Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

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About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

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