Get Rid Of Sin

"He that hath slight thoughts of sin never had great thoughts of God." - John Owen

James 1:21 says - "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls."

There is a well-known saying that says - "The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible."

In this particular verse, the Apostle James strongly admonishes us to get rid of sin in order to receive the Word. We simply cannot receive it into our hearts if sin is present. What is implied in this verse is the fact that an impure heart - one full of sensuality and wickedness - cannot and will not take in the Truth; whereas, a pure heart is the best ground for the entry of the seed of God's Word.

"Wherefore lay apart all filthiness" - We are commanded to lay aside all sin. In other words, put it away...off...aside, cast it off, or lay it down.

Whatever it takes, get rid of it.

When referring to sin, the Apostle James used the word "filthiness." This particular word occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It signifies all impurities and lusts which have the greatest sensuality in them. It is moral dirtiness and defilement. It implies unholy affections and evil conduct which is disgusting, loathsome, and offensive.

"And superfluity of naughtiness" - The Apostle James' objective at this point is to express his deepest abhorrence for sin. Therefore, he resorts to strong and emphatic language such as - "superfluity of naughtiness."

We are commanded to rid ourselves of all filthiness and the abundance of all that is unholy and impure.

"Superfluity" refers to the abounding of or the overflowings of spiritual wickedness. It refers to evil in the highest degree.

"And receive with meekness the engrafted word" - We are to take hold of the Word that God plants in our hearts with a gentle spirit or a mild disposition. A heart filled with sin will resist the Truth and contend with it. On the other hand, one that is pure and washed freely from all sins by the Precious Blood of Jesus will reflect a mild receptivity and teachable attitude towards it.

"Which is able to save your souls" - The Word of God is able to save, deliver, heal, keep safe, and rescue us from danger and destruction.

Matthew 13 - However, as we read in the Scriptures of the Parable of the Sower, we see that it is only the good heart that brings forth fruit.

As powerful as the Word of God is, it will not produce its desired effect unless it falls on good ground.

For this cause, it behooves us to rid ourselves of all filthiness and the abundance of wickedness so that we may -

...receive the Word

...bring forth fruit abundantly

...obtain what we so desperately need from the Lord

...and keep ourselves from all death and the destruction of our souls.

May God help us to always remember to pray and earnestly cry out for the Holy Spirit's inspection of our hearts before daring to read and study the Word or hear it preached again.

Connie

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