James 1:21 Part 2—Put it aside
Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. James 1:21
James was a no-nonsense man of God, and he addressed very frankly how everyday Christians could walk as overcomers whenever they were enticed or tempted (see James 1:14-15).
What he advised back then is just as relevant now. As you practice what James prescribed in verse 21, those nagging old patterns you’ve dealt with will fade away into the past where they belong.
Remember, James was writing to believers in Jesus, not to the unsaved. He, like the apostles Peter, Paul, and John, recognized what seemed to be a disconnect between New Testament realities and the real life experiences of the Christians they served.
How do you remedy that same type of disconnect in your own life? You soak up New Testament reality via the Word of God just like James prescribed. But he urged another action as well.
Therefore, putting aside all filthiness…
One minister suggested that when you read the word “therefore” in the Bible, you look to the verses before it to see what it is “there for”. The entire first chapter of the book of James focuses on how to overcome in tests, temptations, and trials. Therefore, when James wrote Therefore, putting aside all filthiness, he was refocusing attention on how to emerge victorious in the face of attacks against faith, virtue, or character.
What is the action James urged you to take when you encounter one of the multitudes of trials in life? He said to put aside all filthiness. I don’t know about you, but I’ve seen an increased availability of filthiness almost everywhere I look. James said to put it aside. Even if your trial is not moral in nature, put aside all filthiness, anyway. Filthiness is a red carpet upon which the devil sashays into your life, bringing with him confusion and an assortment of cleverly disguised, life-sucking deceptions. You are a new creature; you are more than a conqueror. Why would you want to embrace the things which seek to enslave you all over again? (See Romans 6 and Galatians 4:9.)
If laying aside filthiness is difficult for you, then I suggest you find a trusted, mature believer to assist you as an accountability partner. Let them know your issue and make a commitment to them that if you traipse back into the besetting “filthiness” that lures you, you will tell them. I have done this with two areas of my life, and when I am tempted to follow after “filthiness”, I simply remind myself that I’ll have to let my accountability partner know what happened. (And I have had to tell on myself. Not a pleasant experience for my ego, and I don’t want to have to do it again!) Exposure—and even the threat of it—cuts those grabby tentacles off at the root!
…and all that remains of wickedness…
This phrase speaks more directly to those things that plagued you before Christ. You were made a new creation when you received Jesus as your Lord. However, unfortunately, your soul and body may have retained some tendencies that are not godly—in other words, your own lust, which James addressed in verses 14 and 15. Although it’s a drag that anything could remain of wickedness, by virtue of your relationship with Jesus, those things are defeated nonetheless and have no right to dominate your life any longer. If those things still bother you, however, (and you’re not the only one who deals with habits and weaknesses from your past), what do you do with them? You put them aside.
Colossians 3:8 says, “But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.” Ephesians 4:22 states, “…lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit.” Verse 31 in the same chapter says, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” Peter stated this: “Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander…” (1 Peter 2:1). Hebrews 12:1 urges, “…let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us” (all emphasis added).
Because you are a new creation in Christ, you have both the power and the responsibility to put aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness. And since the Greater One (see 1 John 4:4) lives within you, you’re not left to do it all by yourself. He who is in you is more than capable of empowering you to set every bit of it aside. Talk to Him and trust Him; He’s faithful. And as you do, keep soaking in the Word.
…in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.
Other philosophies and religions have techniques for dealing with negative tendencies. However, none of them provide their followers the opportunity to be born from above. All equip followers with rules and guidelines by which to live; but none of those initiatives are effective to bring cleansing and deliverance from besetting sins. You, however, have the Word of God. As you purposely confront filthiness by putting it aside, and as you deliberately lay aside all that remains of wickedness, you also have the responsibility and advantage of receiving God’s Word. And as you plant it in your heart, it will save your soul.
There is something about the Word of God that is “toxic” to sinful habits. As you intentionally receive His Word in meekness, you will find that all those weights and entanglements which have tripped you up in the past will lose their power to control your life.
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37, NIV
God bless you, Overcomer!
Dorothy