Do your words reflect the person you want to be? Our words tell a story of what’s in our hearts. We can deceive ourselves by our fancy words and knowledge of God’s Word without being transformed from the inside out.  “If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are filling yourself and your religion is worthless. “ James 1:26

Jesus came to save you and I from our destructive mind, will and emotions, all centered in our “souls”. God’s word changes our heart when we ‘peer’ into it with eagerness to transform our character, our souls, into spiritual maturity that makes us perfect and complete. “But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” James 1:25

As children of God we are to reflect God’s image in our character, our behaviors, thoughts, and attitudes. Glancing at God’s Word is not enough to change us from the inside out. Trials and troubles help us to recognize what behaviors and attitudes need adjustments. 

“For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror”. 

James 1:23

Have you ever lied to yourself? It’s easy to do, especially when we spend our time presenting ourselves to the world with our successes, appearance, finances. Spending time with God will reveal truth with the love you and I need to be the man or woman God has planned for you to be. “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. “ James 1:22

Life can be difficult battling our own will, knowing we are in a spiritual conflict, yet having difficulty changing our destructive behaviors. The Good News is we don’t have to do it on our own. Jesus is alive and ready to gently guide us to the path of peace. Our part is to humbly accept the word.  “So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. “ James 1:21

When anger is out of control, it’s time to slow down, because anger can cause a domino effect of resentment, bitterness, substance use, not to mention broken relationships. If we want to experience love, joy and peace in our life, learning to practice patience will develop in us the fruit we need to live the ‘abundant life’. 

“Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires”. James 1:20

Getting to ‘know’ our spiritual Father starts with listening before we speak. Becoming a new creation in Christ is a journey of becoming like a child learning to trust, respect and honor God. It all begins with seeking to ‘understand’ and becoming a good listener getting to ‘know’ your father’s voice. 

“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry”. 

Knowing “God is Good”, is one thing, living like “God is Good”, is the challenge. We need to remember as children of God, we have been “chosen” by the Creator of the Universe. God’s power lives within every believer to overcome challenges, addictions, and problems in our life. Learn to live like you are his ‘prized possessions’. 

“He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.”. James 1:18

On the one hand trials and conflicts in life can feel like being in a dark valley. On the other hand, the only way to mature and grow is in the valleys. You will see the light as you cling to God’s Goodness where you will confidently experience the abundance of God’s presence and protection. “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow”. James 1;17

Lying to ourselves can be a habit we’ve perfected to the point we aren’t able to discern reality from fantasy. Deception is real and our enemy the devil is a master at it. Learn what the Bible says about being deceived. Deception can be a distraction from continuing to grow and mature and self deception can be the culprit.

“So don’t be misled, my dear brother and sisters”. James 1:16