Hear and Do: No Outlet

“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 1:21)

Have you ever spent any time in a maze – either on paper with a pen or pencil or inside some kind of life-size contraption? The implied goal of being in a maze is to get out, to get through it, to get to the other side. You can’t escape if you keep getting stuck in dead ends.

heardo_350James makes an assumption in these verses. He assumes that our goal in life is to live “the righteous life that God desires.” If that’s not our ultimate goal for life on this side of heaven, then his book isn’t going to make much sense to us.

He told us yesterday that human anger is a dead end; it does not lead to choices that please God. Today, James drops some more knowledge on all of us maze-dwellers: “Other dead ends: moral filth and evil. The way home? It’s in the Word. The Word’s in you. Don’t resist the Word (unless you like dead ends).”

Think: Have you discovered some dead ends in life? What are worthless choices or attitudes you’re learning to avoid because they don’t get you where you want to go?

Pray: Ask God to give you a radar for worthless paths so you can keep heading in a worthwhile direction.

Do: Off the top of your head, write a quick definition for moral filth. Then look the two words up in a dictionary.