Today’s Thought “Thwarting Misdeeds” G. Ward

James 4

⁷ Submit therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Holy God’s diagnosis of mankind’s insistence to guide their own lives was/is HIS forecast from the beginning (Ge.8:21, Jer.17:9). Our human nature seeks to gratify ourselves with thoughts of deserving portions so vivid and perceivably permitted and whereas our theme on today addresses those of the church, its composition still embodies both believers and unbelievers. The verses prefacing our theme primarily deals with those unbelievers fascinated with the shiny things of the world, even discontented with ideas of being owned, constrained by a morality imposed by our Blessed Savior and while HIS desire is to throw them a lifeline, the unbeliever’s practice in seemingly having both (i.e., church fellowship and worldly affiliation of sorts), overwhelms their good judgment and is substantiated by so many proposing the same (Matt.7:13-14). A believer’s charge is to continue their pursuit in faith without relent and never serve a diluted elixir for sin sickness (outside the realm of gospel Truth – Matt.5:16, cf. 1 Cor.6:9-11). Moreover, our straining to emulate our Savior’s perseverance, must be as HE demonstrated – an unadulterated, consistent answer from what is written (*Matt.4:1-11).