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, the brother of Jesus, was later known as James the Just because of his impeccable character. It was only after Jesus’ resurrection that James became a staunch believer in Jesus as Savior, the long-awaited Messiah. Because he was a witness to Jesus’ resurrection, James became a man of prominence in the Church in Jerusalem. He was an upright man and wrote his book to encourage the Jewish believers in Christ to live out their faith, both as hearers and doers of the Word.
James’ words came at a time when believers were under temptation and persecution. In the 108 verses of the book of James, he was practical in his exhortations, providing 50 imperatives. He wished for his readers to be active in their faith, seeking wisdom (James 1:5), never doubting (verse 6), and remaining steadfast under trial (verse 12). Commentator Matthew Henry wrote that James, in today’s verse was telling believers to get rid of “all sin of thought and affection as well as speech and practice.”
The rest of James’ instruction in this verse is to “receive with meekness the implanted word.” Eyes will be opened to Christ’s salvation and the power He gives to anyone who believes (Romans 1:16-17).
Humbly accept the truths of God’s Word and, through it, be willing to accept correction for your faults. Yield in submission to God’s molding of your character. “There must be inward practice by meditation, and outward practice in true obedience,” Matthew Henry wrote. Pray that the people of this nation receive with meekness God’s Word and believe. In like manner, may you study His Word and live it daily.
Today’s Verse: 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.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: James 1:16-25
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
