Scripture: "For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless." James 1:23-26 NASB Application: Nobody likes to be tested daily on how to apply the Word of God in a very challenging situation with a challenging person. It's also very hard to hear, "just stay in the Word" as the catch all remedy. But as we read the first chapter of James again, we see some things: 1. God isn't putting us through the test. We're being tested by the "lusts of our own hearts." 2. Christian behavior is a shaping process over time. 3. Shutting up is part of the remedy. That's mentioned near the end of the chapter. We have work to do, and the Bible has given us guidance. God will give us opportunities to do better. But they're not "tests" from Him, they're just life that our own weaknesses will confront. If we are driven to be selfish, pompous, or vindictive, those areas are going to be the first that will be confronted. Being quiet helps a lot. Prayer: When stuff bothers us, help us to be quiet as we try to remember to apply the Bible's teachings, Lord. Amen. Comments are closed.
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