16 MAY 23 Tuesday: A Closer Walk Devotional
“Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do want it says.” James 1:20-22
When I have time, I watch a guy on Youtube that shares his faith regularly in the community to see how people receive his message. You get all kinds of responses, kind of like a traffic light. Some people give him the red light by either not wanting to hear it or becoming combative right from the start. As people hear the word of God spoken, some get angry because the word convicts them.
Isn’t interesting that our response to God’s word can be anger? We read it and immediately look to society’s ills and proclaim judgment and condemnation, yet we do not deal with the sin in our own lives. The anger at the word that hits us or society does not go far enough to make real change. Everyone knows in their heart what is right and wrong, but is not always in alignment with it. When we are convicted, we play down the gravity of our sin and join the rest of society as equally guilty.
We say things like, ‘Everybody does it’. James gives us the solution, but not by dilution. Let the word do its work in your heart and pull up the weeds of filth and evil in your life and get rid of it. Do what it says to do. Hearing it alone does not make you wise or strong, only obeying it. It is like going to the gym. If you only look at the weights and not lift them, then you won’t experience the benefits and become fit.
Are you spiritually fit and healthy?
Reading Plan: Psalm 78:1-39; Deut. 8:11-20; James 1:16-27; Luke 11:1-13
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