BELIEVING IS ONLY STEP ONE
Tuesday – February 17, 2026
Video link: https://youtu.be/VRR-tS8T7xY
Greetings dear ones and welcome to our ongoing study of the Book of James. I will once again continue with the study of faith and the fact that faith does not stand alone. Perhaps you will recall that in an earlier study we established that faith, love, and doing (works) are inseparable. Now, to our text for today.
James 2:17-20 (KJV)
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Please do not be thrown off by the use of the word “works” in our text especially if you are used to the drumbeat of “it is not of works”. Nothing in the Kingdom of God is by works alone, nor faith alone. The word finally translated to English as “works” is ergon in the Greek meaning to work, toil, an act, deed, doing, labour, or work according to Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary. James the Just by the unction of the Holy Spirit tells us plainly that believing something is useless (dead) with an accompanying action, a doing, works. On the other hand, the Spirit tells us that our actions are proof of our faith. You have probably heard the saying “put your money where your mouth is” well that is a variation of this principle.
Entering verse nineteen of our text makes a contrasting point about those who believe there is one God yet don’t act upon that knowledge. The Spirit through Him tells us that the devils believe that and tremble. Yet, we do not tremble. Now, what is a vain man mentioned in verse twenty? The English word vain comes from the Greek kenos which is feminine in gender meaning when used of persons, it predicates not merely an absence of good, but also, since a vacuum does not exist in man’s moral nature, the presence of evil according to The Complete Word Study Dictionary – New Testament. A failure to act upon our faith, our belief is evil, it is sin. This word is feminine in gender therefore it is contagious infecting all areas of our lives and the lives of those around us. Just think of the evil impact of faith, doing, and love not being taught in our Churches as necessary to each other. Well, let’s move forward a bit before calling it quits for today.
James 2:21-26 (KJV)
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Abraham and I might mention Isaac as well had to prove their faith, their love, of God by going to Mount Moriah. Abraham had to be willing to sacrifice Isaac and Isaac had to be willing to be sacrificed. This is a type and shadow of the Father and the Son. The Law of Reciprocity in Blood Covenant was at that moment fixed in place and the Father and the Son were obligated to Calvary. Carefully meditate Chapter 22 of the Book of Genesis.
TAKE HOME:
- The Spirit tells us that our actions are proof of our faith.
- A failure to act upon our faith, our belief is evil, it is sin.
- Believing is step one, believing or faith alone is dead without corresponding action.
Lord willing, I will resume right here tomorrow. Remember, we love you, the Lord loves you, and there is nothing you can do about either one.
By: Dr. David R. Wood, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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