Daily Bible Reading – 10.20.2021
James 1:19-21, My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
James continues to dig down to the root of our anger problem. He tells us to get rid of moral filth and evil that is so prevalent. One of the causes of inappropriately expressed anger is our sinful nature.
So, to work on our anger, we need to work on our soul. Just as we take off our dirty clothes, we need to do the same with ungodly attitudes and behaviors that have taken hold of us. We must make the decision to stop engaging them. We may not see the clear connection, but they are a source fueling our anger. We will look at this again tomorrow.
Then, we need to humbly accept the word planted in us. It reminds me of Jesus’ parable of the soils. There are four spiritual options, only one of which is viable.
We can be the hardened path where the Word does not take any root. We can be the shallow soil where the Word begins to grow, but when trials come along, we fail to persevere and fall away. We can be the soil where our faith grows, but we are, also, filled with the worries and stresses of the world which chokes out our growing faith. Or we can choose to be the dark fertile soil that I saw recently in Iowa where the corn and beans were beautifully green and weed free along the rolling landscape.
In our redemption, the Word of God has been planted in us. What are we doing with it? When we recognize our need for God’s salvation and healing, we will humbly surrender ourselves to Christ and His Word.
By faith, we believe the Word has the power to save us spiritually and eternally. It, also, has the power to transform our lives daily. So, the more we engage and welcome the Word of Life into the deepest parts of our being, it brings healing to our souls and, increasingly, makes us whole.
Questions to Consider:
How are you receiving the Word into your life? How are you finding it to bring transformation into your life?
Weekly Memory Verse:
James 1:19-20, My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.