Sunday 4 January 2015

Superfluity of naughtiness

Therefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. – James 1.21

There are some phrases in the KJV that I really like. I wish we had kept some of those words. This is one of those instances. I don’t think there is a translation that can match the words ‘superfluity of naughtiness.’ ‘Overflow of wickedness’ and the like just don’t do it quite as well.

Well, enough of my quirkiness.

Because of every good gift that God gives.
Because I am to be slow to speak and quick to hear.
Because I am to be slow to anger.

There are some things I need to do. I have a couple of things to lay aside and something to take on board.

I need to lat aside all filthiness. That doesn’t take a whole lot to explain. It means I really can’t even afford to keep a speck of filthiness in my life. There is no room for filthy living in the life of the child of God. As tempting as they might be there just is no place for them. The best way to avoid the temptations that so easily ensnare us to put anything that can lead to this ‘superfluity of naughtiness’ out of our lives.

Fortunately God offers a replacement for us. Instead of allowing the filthy things into my life I need to be meekly receiving the implanted word of God in its place. We all have choices every day. Am I going to take in all the rubbish of the world and let it control me, or am I going to humbly and meekly spend my time applying the word of God.

The filthiness may give its pleasure for the moment – but any of us who are believers know well what a waste that is. We all know the long lasting affect of God’s word. That, and only that, can deliver us from the trials and tribulations and difficulties that we face today.

So let’s forget about the superfluity of naughtiness that we are going to see around us today. As we go to church today let’s meekly receive the word of God in its place and go on to serve our God.



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