The passage I read
was James 1:19-27
You can find that passage here:
The verse that most
stood out to me:
22 Do
not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
As I reflect:
So many great verses
in this passage. I love the book of
James as God chose a vessel capable of putting so many lessons into so few sentences. Any one of these short paragraphs could
easily make an entire Bible study or even a series of studies. For that reason I will focus on berevity
during my reflection today.
We have a child that
has ADHD and requires certain modifications in our teaching methods. Often I encourage him to think about what he
says before he says it because he has a habit of simply shooting thoughts
straight to the mouth without consideration of impact or need. Some of the things he says get him into
trouble as he often can be offensive (certainly not meaning to) or hurtful to
others. Following his lack in self
control, I’ll often point out the effect of what he has just said so that he
can fully consider what he might have chosen to say instead had he thought
before speaking. I think this is just as
important for the adult believer as well.
We represent God with every word we speak and need to put thought into
what is going to come out of our mouth.
We all ought to exhibit self control and be sure that our words are used
as tools in doing the will of our King. In addition to thinking about what we say, I
am reminded that we learn more when we use our ears anyway. I remember as I was growing up as some point
in my teenage years I approached my mom who treated me as though I were a child
(and I was) and I asked her, “When will I be an adult?”. Her next words stuck with me and will never
be forgotten as they were deeply wise.
She responded, “When you stop saying, ‘I know’”. It’s true also of us. As we approach God’s word be it spoken from a
preacher or minister on a stage, in a podcast, a brother in Christ, or in the
written text, we ought be of the mindset to receive the word for doctrine,
reproof, correction, instruction, edification, and wisdom. This is better done without the “I know” attitude. The 1st
paragraph also warns us to be slow to anger – much as I also advise my children
to use their words. Now don’t get me
wrong, I don’t think for a second that James was saying a believer can’t be
angry. There is certainly a place and
time for it and there is such thing as a righteous anger. Simply consider what anger it is and whether
the situation really warrants it or not.
Is it a righteous and healthy response, or is it an overwhelming emotion
that has taken control of you? Something
to think about.
The next paragraph
deals with a topic that is often on my mind and often brought up in conversations
with many who say they believe with their lips, but by their deeds deny him
. It’s such a simple idea – Listening to
the word of God without obedience to it is about as useless as carrying a parachute
onto a plane, but not putting it on. The
point is when that plane goes down, you won’t be prepared simply because you
own a parachute… It must be used to save you.
Likewise, reading the word without application won’t save you. Nor will you be saved for simply believing in
the existence of God. Even Satan
believes that God exist. You must have a
belief that is evidenced by action… This is called a saving faith. It produces growth and change in fruit. Simply reading the word doesn’t produce these
things – it must be applied to have effect; to give freedom; to grow blessing.
The 3rd
and final paragraph from today’s passage makes a pretty big clarification about
religion. It’s not going to church and
following a checklist. It’s a
relationship and that relationship has a serious impact on what we desire to do
with our time here. I can’t say it any
better than James has already summed it up.
“Religion that God
our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and
widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
My response to the
Lord:
Lord, I don’t claim perfection. I do claim a great need for you and your work
in my life. Today I looked as several
familiar passages in your word and spoke as if teaching. Father, it was you teaching me. It’s always you teaching me, and I thank
you. I pray your Holy Spirit press upon
me to be slow to speak or become angry, and quick to listen much more than even
I impress upon my children. Plant your
word deep within my new heart and protect me from moral filth and evil. Help me to be a doer of your word, your will,
and to look after those less fortunate than myself; those in distress, offering
all that I can to help. Help me to be an
example for my children in the way that I serve you and rely on your to help me
do so. In the mighty name of Yeshua I
pray.
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