James 1:21 (AMPC), “So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls.”

God’s Word is powerful! It is inspired by the Holy Spirit and holds the living presence of Jesus to transform our lives - if we receive and welcome it into our hearts. In this particular verse, James drives home an essential truth: Sin and the life of the Spirit cannot co-exist. If we are going to fully embrace the life of victory Jesus fully paid for us to have, in every area of our lives - we must determine that sin has absolutely no place in our lives. And James tells us exactly how to do this! He doesn’t instruct us to zero in on the problems and shortcomings to fix them. He doesn’t tell us to dig into the reason behind the bad behavior or try to curb our wills to end wrong addictions. In fact, he tells us to take our attention off of what is wrong in our lives and redirect it to the Word of God! Think about it, if we had the power, in our own capacity, to change ourselves and get rid of harmful sin habits - we would have done it by now, and we would have no need for a Saviour, or the power of the Holy Spirit. Praise God - everything we need, to see a complete and drastic transformation in our lives, is wrapped up in God’s Living Word! When we open our lives to receive its truth with eager, grateful hearts - it will do its work and save our souls from the destructive force of sin. Look at what Paul says we should do: “Let the word [spoken by] Christ (the Messiah) have its home [in your hearts and minds] and dwell in you in [all its] richness…” (Colossians 3:16 AMPC). Even though our spirits are sanctified, the Bible teaches us our souls need to be sanctified too, something that can only be done through our minds being constantly renewed to God’s truth, and His Word is truth (John 17:17). 1 Thessalonians 5:23 says, “And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [separate you from profane things, make you pure and wholly consecrated to God]; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved sound and complete [and found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).” Did you notice that Paul said God Himself would do the sanctifying, it’s done through our minds being renewed to His Word, by His power! Get excited about receiving and welcoming God’s Word into your heart today, so it can begin its transforming work in you!