Word of Life

Journey through James: 1:21

Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. — James 1:21

James just told us that we need to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. These characteristics do not come easily; hence, the reason James, through the direction of the Holy Spirit, had to tell us that we need to work on these things. Therefore, James gives us instructions on how we can live this way. 

First we need to do some house cleaning. James tells us to put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness. These characteristics are not consistent with the Christian life. The word for filthiness has to do with moral defilement, and it is the only time this word is used in the New Testament. The word wickedness has to do with malice or being bad in character. If we want to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, we need to actively remove sin from our lives. This idea is not unique to James. Paul warns us to put off sin in Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, and Colossians. 

The Christian life should be an active one. We need to actively seek to remove sin from our lives. We need to make decisions to walk away from sin, not towards it. When James writes that we need to put away sin, he is giving the idea of taking off filthy garments and getting rid of them. Sin is not something that should be kept close or ignored; we need to actively remove it all the way.

It is not enough to merely remove sin, we must replace it with something. If we merely remove sin, or try to remove sin, other sin or temptation will seek to move in and fill the void. We need to remove sin and receive the Word of God. We will not have victory over sin through our own strength. If we want to have victory over sin, we will need God’s help. This is why James tells us that we need to humbly receive God’s Word. We are rooted and grounded in His Word. We will not have victory through our own plans or steps or discipline. Self-discipline is necessary in our fight against sin, but unless that discipline is grounded in God’s Word, it will not last. God gave us the Bible so that we could know Him. His Word takes root deep in our hearts and will strengthen us to stand against sin. We must rely on Jesus and His word to us. Relying on our own strength often leads to pride and failure.

Being quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger is impossible in our own ability. However, if we humbly submit to God’s Word, He will give us the strength to walk in the way He has set before us. 

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. — Colossians 2:6-7