James 1:21

New American Standard Version

Therefore putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.

Pastor’s Paraphrase

          Understanding that He has a plan for each of us to become more like Jesus each day, let us rid ourselves of anything that even resembles the immorality and impurity so common among those who reject the Lord.

 “How does this help me become more like Him?”

          Many years ago, I traveled to another country and witnessed something I had never seen growing up in America.  At that time in this large city in Asia, the sewer system ran above ground.  There was literally human waste running in the ditches of the streets.  As you can imagine, the smell was not pleasant and I cannot even imagine the potential health hazards that such exposure to filth posed.  I am sure that to live in such conditions, one would have to take great care and precautions not to become infected and become ill.

          Thankfully, in our country today there are strict standards and guidelines to protect our physical health from such filth and infection.  However, there is far less protection morally and spiritually.  Sin and immorality flow freely in our society.  Guarding yourself from spiritual infection is even more difficult than biological infection because the pollution of the heart and soul is much more acceptable in our culture.  We have become desensitized to that which can pollute our hearts and poison our minds.

          We find our plan to safeguard ourselves in Romans 12:2, where Paul commands us not to shape our lives according to the morality and practice of our culture.  Instead, we are to allow the Holy Spirit to teach and apply the principles of Scripture to our hearts so that He may use them to transform our lives.  We must live in a culture that flows freely with spiritual and moral pollution but we do not have to swim in it.  The challenge is to live in this world without becoming polluted by it.

          We must use wisdom and discernment to make the right decisions concerning what is immoral and unwise.  We must teach our children and grandchildren modesty and good taste.  We must help them understand behaviors that put them at risk for the attack of the evil one or a hindrance to their testimony for Christ.  Most of all, we must model for them and teach to them the priority of bringing glory to Christ with all of their lives.  As His children, we are not our own to do as we please.  We have been bought at a very high price – His own blood.

          We must remember that we are not citizens of this world – we are here on assignment from our King.  Our loyalty and allegiance, as well as our values and behaviors, must come from our homeland.  We must live here for Him for now but we’re just passing through.

“How should I pray for Him to change my life?”

Pray for the protection of the Holy Spirit upon your mind to protect you from the pollution of this culture.  Ask for strength to withstand every temptation to blend in with and become comfortable with the immorality of our day.  Allow the Holy Spirit to do His transforming work of renewing your mind each day.

 END