Devotional 5/23/20
“The Humble Heart”
By Dona Hake
Today we continue with chapter one of James. We have been meditating upon being a good listener, one that thinks before he speaks, and one that practices control over anger. In verse 21 James exhorts us to rid of all uncleanness and wickedness. He speaks of the value of receiving God’s Word with a humble spirit. Let us look at that scripture now…
“So get rid of all uncleanness and all that remains of wickedness, and with a humble spirit receive the word [of God] which is implanted [actually rooted in your heart], which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth].”
James 1:21-22 Amplified Version
James 1:21-22 Amplified Version
While I was going to wrap up this meditation today, the Spirit of God has prompted me to focus on one more thing before we proceed to meditating on looking into the mirror.
If we fail to heed to God’s Word we are dealing in the realm of a very dangerous pride. This pride will speak to you, and assure you that the Word you hear applies to someone else and not you.
Pride will usher you into the
most dangerous
place a believer can live,
and that is self deception.
It will cause you to stand firm on your own self created standards and unsound reasoning. It will also cause you to go forward in your own “way” and not walk in God’s way.
There is an old saying “It’s like water off a ducks back”. People often use this to describe insults or other negative actions that others do against them that do not harm them.
While this is most commonly used when someone ignores insults, I see that same application in the one that just seems to let God‘s Word roll right off their back and pretend as if they did not hear it. It is as they hear it but it has absolutely no application to helping them. Again, a very dangerous place for a believer to be.
I encourage and exhort you today as you hear or read God‘s Word to examine your heart, and make sure it is totally humble. A humble heart will receive a nourishing Word from Him that is well able to continue deep growth in you that you will live this life strong and victorious!