Follow the Word

Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and evil excess, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save you.

James 1:21 (HCSB)

It seems so simple, right? James says get rid of it! Moral filth. Do we really need an explanation. Those many things in our lives that our conscience and the Holy Spirit clearly tell us are wrong. Get rid of it. And evil excess. Our culture, the Human condition really is full of evil excess. It may be sex, or power, or money or some other excess. It must go!

But here is the catch. Getting rid of it is one thing but something needs to be put in its place. James tells us that it should be the Word. For the Christ follower the Word not only tells him what moral filth and evil excesses are but it also replaces the bad. Out with the bad and in with the Word. If we don't replace the bad with the Word we will find ourselves right back in it.

So here is the challenge for the Christ follower get rid of the bad but replace it with the Word. This can make all the difference in our lives.