But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—
they will be blessed in what they do.
James 1:25 (NIV)
… whoever looks intently…
The use of the word intently implies that one is not looking casually or flippantly at something. It indicates they are carefully studying, steadfastly focused and keenly grasping knowledge of the subject of their attention. It’s not a quick glance but a time consuming effort for an extended period.
So what are you looking intently at?
What is holding your attention and taking up your time?
What are you studying and grasping knowledge about?
Distractions
This past summer, I found myself looking more intently into social media. My face was spending way too much time in the wrong book! As I reflected on my summer, I realized I wasted a lot of time scrolling through feeds instead of turning the pages of the word of God and engaging in other positive activities to encourage my spiritual walk. The need to be continually informed about what was happening came to a head when I found myself tempted to hit a link that popped up on my phone instead of proceeding to my intended destination, my online morning devotional.
Was I really considering choosing the morning breaking news as priority over my time with the Lord?
If we are not intently looking into the perfect law, that is the word of God, we are most likely looking intently into something else. They might not be bad things. However, if they keep us from growing in Christ and experiencing a more intimate relationship with God, they become bad distractions.
Freedom Blockers
Besides being a distraction from looking intently into the word, they can also keep us from the freedom that comes with allowing the word of God to find a home within us. When the perfect law has the opportunity to move in, dwell, renovate and recreate a life that honors God, that life is now free to partake in God’s blessings and free to be a blessing to others. For the word of God opens the portal to the freedom to be who we are created to be in Christ.
But it’s a freedom that cannot be fully ours if we are looking into the word inconsistently and halfheartedly. As James 1:25 shares, one must continue in it that they may not forget what they have heard and therefore forget what to do. Just as a law student continually and intently studies his law books to know the laws he needs for quick appropriate responses in court, so must we be ready and equipped to face all that life brings our way.
So what are you continually and intently looking at to be prepared for life?
Does your life reflect that you are consistently steadfastly studying the perfect law of God or does it reveal that you are spending more time soaking up knowledge somewhere else?
One Final Point
What we continually and intently look at impacts us. Here are a few examples from my own personal life to show that it does matter:
- Excessive online searches for answers stressed me.
- Constant scrolling through social media made me critical and jealous of others.
- Watching/reading news made me anxious and angry.
- Feeds encouraged gossip.
Stress, criticism, jealousy, anxiety, anger, gossip… nothing like the promise found at the end of James 1:25 for those who look intently into the perfect law: they will be blessed in what they do.
Considerations 