Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions

“Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” (James 1:27 NLT)

In football, there are players who excel at their position on offense and players who excel at their position on defense. And then there are the exceedingly rare athletes who excel on both sides of the ball. They’re called two-way players. They have the skills to contribute both offensively and defensively.

In James 1:27, James calls for Christians to be “two-way players” in putting our faith into action. On the offensive side, he calls us to involve ourselves in the lives of people in need. On the defensive side, he warns us to guard against being corrupted by the world.

Unlike the athletic marvels in football, you don’t need to be extremely gifted to excel in both areas as a believer. You just need to align your priorities with God and follow the game plan in His Word.

In this case, the game plan begins with choosing a side. Here’s a hint: Always team up with people in need, those who fall through the cracks of our society. God loves underdogs—and the people who side with them. Proverbs 19:17 says, “If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—and he will repay you!” (NLT). And Jesus Himself, quoting Isaiah 61:1–2, said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come” (Luke 4:18–19 NLT).

Your first instinct may be to pray for the poor and needy in your community. And that’s an instinct you should certainly follow. But if you do, and you stay alert to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, you’ll probably discover that you’re the answer to your own prayer. Or at least part of the answer. There’s a very good chance that He’ll call you to get actively involved in the lives of the people you pray for.

What that might look like is hard to say. What matters is that you can make a difference. You can bring hope to people who desperately need it. You can use your skills and resources to give them assistance. You can connect them to your community. You can let them know that you care in tangible ways. You can show them what Jesus’ love looks like.

But as you concern yourself with other people’s well-being, don’t neglect your own. Especially your spiritual well-being. The world’s influence is a constant threat. What makes it so dangerous is that often you don’t even know you’re being influenced or corrupted.

You need accountability partners—people who can recognize signs of corruption, or even just worldly influence, in you. People who aren’t afraid to lovingly challenge you when necessary. The ideal accountability partner is a Christian spouse or loved one, someone who knows you well and has a deep concern and a vested interest in your spiritual well-being.

Reflection question: What are some subtle ways in which a person can be corrupted or negatively influenced by the world?

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“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” (James 1:22 NLT)

The Bible is the source of some of the most famous quotes in all of literature. “A fool and his money are soon parted” comes from Proverbs 21:20. “A house divided against itself cannot stand,” which was quoted by Abraham Lincoln in a speech on the eve of the Civil War, comes from Matthew 12:25. “Go the extra mile” comes from Matthew 5:41. And “You reap what you sow” comes from Galatians 6:7.

God’s Word also contains some of the most familiar stories ever written. Even people who have never cracked the spine of a Bible can tell you about Noah’s Ark, David and Goliath, Daniel in the lion’s den, or Hezekiah’s purification of the temple (okay, maybe not that one).

There’s a lot to admire in the Bible. But God doesn’t want us to be admirers of His Word. He doesn’t want us to be appreciators or bystanders. He wants us to be active participants. He wants us to apply those famous quotes to the decisions we make every day. He wants us to find common ground with people who were faithful to God in those familiar stories. He wants us to take steps to avoid the fate of the people who weren’t faithful.

The Bible contains wisdom that can be applied to practically any area of your life. The key is knowing how to make the connection. For instance, in 1 Corinthians 13:4–7, the apostle Paul writes, “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance” (NLT).

The way you connect these words to your life will depend on your relationship. You might resolve to learn to tolerate—or maybe even appreciate—certain quirks or habits of your spouse that try your patience. You might take steps to deal with your feelings of jealousy. You might apologize for times when you demanded your own way or brought up things your spouse did in the past.

Maybe you’re struggling in your relationship. Maybe you and your spouse have even talked about ending it. If you turn the words of 1 Corinthians 13 into a plan of action, you might choose instead not to give up. You might ask God to strengthen your faith—in Him and in one another. You might look for signs of hope that you can build on. You might talk to a Christian counselor to find ways to endure together.

If you study God’s Word for the purpose of doing what it says, you can change your relationship—and every other area of your life—in ways you can’t imagine.

Reflection question: How will you apply a specific passage of Scripture to your life this week?

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“So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 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 1:16–17 NLT)

In this passage, James is talking to people who were struggling with temptation. They were looking for scapegoats. Some even had the nerve to suggest that God tempted them to sin. James nips that talk in the bud with three words: “Don’t be misled.”

God doesn’t tempt anyone to sin. He is light; sin is darkness. The two can’t coexist. There is no dark side to Him. There’s not even a hint of a shadow.

God created with us free will. He lets us choose whether we will obey Him or not. And He allows us to experience the consequences of our disobedience. But He doesn’t tempt us. He doesn’t try to get us to do wrong.

In fact, He gives us every reason not to sin. He warns us in His Word about temptation. In 2 Timothy 2:22, the apostle Paul writes, “Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.”

God’s light exposes darkness. It shows us the ugly truth behind the attractive things that tempt us. Not only that, God gives us an escape route from every temptation we face. In 1 Corinthians 10:13, Paul writes, “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

God isn’t the tempter; He’s the Giver. He’s generous beyond belief, and His goodness is perfect. We never have to question His motives because He wants only what’s best for us—not just in the moment, but forever. And because His wisdom is as reliable as His goodness, we can trust that everything He sends our way is not just beneficial, but perfectly beneficial.

Everything good—in this world and in your life—is a gift from God. If you wrap your mind around that truth, you have something to be thankful for every day. The promise of eternal life. The view from your favorite vacation spot. The skills, abilities, and qualities that set you apart from others. The taste of your favorite food. The people closest to you.

What would happen in your relationship with your spouse or other loved ones if you treated them like the gift from God that they are? If you spent time appreciating the many ways they bring you joy and brighten your day? If you found creative and meaningful ways to let them know how thankful you are for them?

Imagine the possibilities.

Reflection question: How can you show your appreciation for the good and perfect gifts God has given you?

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“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.” (James 3:17­­–18 NLT)

Yesterday we looked at four qualities of God’s wisdom that make it so powerful: its purity, its peace loving nature, its gentleness, and its willingness to yield to others. Here are four more qualities of His wisdom that have the potential to change your life.

First, the wisdom that comes from God is full of mercy. God is merciful to us. He shows us love, compassion, and kindness, even though we don’t deserve it. He forgives us when we do wrong. He chooses not to punish us, although He has every right to.

And He instructs us to do the same for others. Mercy transforms relationships. If you forgive your spouse or loved one as God has forgiven you, you won’t hold grudges. You won’t bring up past offenses. You’ll choose not to punish, even if you believe you have a right to. Instead, you’ll look for ways to show love, compassion, and kindness—qualities that build trust, strengthen relationships, and help them grow.

Second, the wisdom that comes from God is the fruit of good deeds. It isn’t theoretical; it’s practical. It’s more than a theological concept; it’s a useful strategy for living your best life and forging your best relationship. It isn’t words; it’s deeds. We talked about love, compassion, and kindness as they relate to mercy. But what do they look like in action? Love looks like wrapping your spouse in a tender embrace after a conflict when everything inside you wants to distance yourself and nurse a grudge. Compassion looks like sitting with a grieving friend for hours, listening—or maybe just sitting in silence. Kindness looks like doing a household chore that your spouse dreads.

Third, the wisdom that comes from God shows no favoritism. It isn’t designed to help the rich get richer. It isn’t geared toward Type A personalities. You don’t have to be highly educated to understand it. It doesn’t encourage an “us versus them” mentality. Anyone can be transformed by it.

Fourth, the wisdom that comes from God is always sincere. Some people claim to offer wisdom when what they’re really doing is telling you what you want to hear or reinforcing what you’re already convinced of. But there’s no real wisdom in that. You can’t grow, mature, or learn in an echo chamber. Real wisdom stretches us, challenges us, and takes us out of our comfort zone.

James concludes the passage by emphasizing that God’s wisdom gives us a heart for peacemaking. That’s a valuable quality in our bickering culture. If you let God’s wisdom guide you, and if you plant seeds of peace in your interactions with other people—especially those who disagree with you—you will “reap a harvest of righteousness.” God will open doors that change not only your life, but the lives of others.

Reflection question: How can you plant seeds of peace in your relationship with someone you don’t get along with?

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“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.” (James 3:17­­–18 NLT)

Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr., famously said, “Some people are so heavenly minded that they are of no earthly good.” He seems to be suggesting that “the wisdom from above” (as James refers to it) doesn’t always translate to daily life. James would beg to differ. In the passage above, he identifies several qualities of God’s wisdom that make a very real difference in people’s lives every day.

First, the wisdom that comes from God is pure. It reveals God’s will. It shows us how His will impacts every area of our lives, from our relationship with our spouse or loved ones to the way we approach our work. It teaches us how to prioritize His will. And it shows us how our lives will be better, more impactful, and more fulfilling if we do His will. Period. There’s no hidden agenda or dark underbelly with God’s wisdom.

People may try to twist it or hijack it for their own purposes, but the wisdom itself is beyond reproach. We can commit ourselves to it fully. We can build our relationships on it. We can put it at the center of everything we do. And we never have to worry about what the consequences will be.

Second, the wisdom that comes from God is peace loving. Some people try to weaponize wisdom and use it to antagonize or “defeat” others who disagree with them. God’s wisdom doesn’t encourage those impulses. Instead, it encourages humility, compassion, and bridge-building. God’s wisdom doesn’t encourage us to take sides against other people; it encourages us to find common ground to build on. That’s why it’s so valuable to people in relationships. It unites us and strengthens our bond. It inspires us to work together when we face hurdles, instead of working against one another.

Third, the wisdom that comes from God is gentle. Yes, it has the power to change lives and to make us see the error of our ways. And its truth can’t be denied because it comes from God, the Author of truth. And His wisdom is the highest moral authority. Yet God wants us to handle it thoughtfully and humbly. Not with an “I’m right and you’re wrong” attitude, but with a genuine compassion and concern for others. “We will speak the truth in love,” as Paul says in Ephesians 4:15 (NLT).

Fourth, the wisdom that comes from God makes you willing to yield to others. Here’s that emphasis on humility again. God’s wisdom encourages us to recognize that we can learn from other people—especially if we are “quick to listen, slow to speak” (James 1:19 NLT). If you see other people—including your spouse, family members, and loved ones—as potential teachers, you will value them more. And your relationship with them will deepen.

Reflection question: What have you learned from your spouse or someone else close to you?

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“What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, ‘Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well’—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?” (James 2:14–16 NLT)

Most people have hidden facets—skills, accomplishments, or sides of their personality that they don’t make known. Some are truly surprising. For instance, Hedy Lamarr was one of the most popular actresses of the 1940s and was often called “the most beautiful woman in film.” What most people didn’t know—and didn’t learn until after her death—is that she was also an inventor whose pioneering work led to Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth technology.

Chances are, you have hidden facets, too—things about you that most people don’t know and might be surprised to learn. Your Christian faith shouldn’t be one of them. That’s the message James sends loud and clear.

The Lord doesn’t intend for your Christian faith to be a private matter. He wants it to spill out in every area of your life. He wants it to splash over everyone you know and everyone you encounter. He wants your faith to make a real difference in other people’s lives—not with just your words, but with your actions as well.

If you’re married, that difference-making starts with your spouse. In Ephesians 5:21–33, the apostle Paul compares the relationship between a husband and wife to the relationship between Jesus and the Church. That’s how seriously God treats marriage. And that’s the reason your spouse should see your faith in action every day, in big things and small.

We’re not talking about Christian platitudes—the marital equivalent of “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well.” As James puts it so succinctly, “What good does that do?”

We’re talking about tangible acts of love and sacrifice. About putting your faith into action to make your spouse’s life better—which, in turn, makes your relationship better, stronger, and more durable.

You show your Christian faith in the way you use your words with your spouse. You resist the urge to criticize and complain. Instead, you look for opportunities to give sincere compliments and encouragement. You also show your faith in the way you deal with conflict. You use words not to attack or blame, but to resolve.

You show your faith by listening to your spouse and offering comfort, empathy, or silence, as needed. You show it by making your spouse feel seen, heard, understood, respected, and loved unconditionally.

You show your faith by sacrificing your own needs and putting your spouse’s needs first.

You show your faith by being faithful—to your marriage vows, of course, but also in smaller things. In the promises you make—to finish a household chore, to pick up a kid from practice, or to go out for a date night. Make your word mean something to your spouse.

And you show your faith by prioritizing God’s Word. By studying it together. By praying with and for your spouse every day.

Faith in action, like charity, begins at home.

Reflection question: How will you show your faith to your spouse or loved one in a tangible way this week?

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“And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.” (James 3:10–12 NLT)

A little boy went to his pastor’s house while the pastor was doing some carpentry. The boy watched the pastor intently while he worked. After several minutes of silence, the pastor looked at the boy and asked, “Son, are you here to pick up some carpentry tips?”

“No,” the boy replied, “I just want to know what a preacher says when he hits his thumb with a hammer.”

People are watching us—not just pastors, but anyone who claims to be a follower of Christ. More specifically, they’re listening to us. They’re waiting to hear inconsistencies—words that fall short of being Christlike.

What they really want to know is whether our faith comes from the heart. And the best way to find out what’s in someone’s heart is to listen to what comes out of their mouth. It’s a tough test, but a fair one, as James makes clear.

And it’s one that even some of the heroes of Scripture couldn’t pass. Isaiah was a great prophet of the Lord who saw an amazing vision of God on His throne, surrounded by angels (see Isaiah 6:1–4). And how did Isaiah respond? He cried, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies” (NLT). As he saw God in His glory, Isaiah saw himself in his own sinfulness, and the thing he specifically became aware of was his words. Joseph, Moses, and Simon Peter faced similar struggles.

You may be wondering, If these men of God fought losing battles with their tongue, what hope do I have? Quite a bit, in fact. And you can start by remembering the acronym T.H.I.N.K. Before you speak, before you post, before you tweet, before you communicate, ask yourself five quick questions. One, is what I’m about to say True? Do you know it for a fact? Two, is it Helpful? The fact that something is true doesn’t mean it should be said. Saying, “You look like you’ve gained weight” may be true, but it’s probably not helpful. Three, is it Inspiring? Will it bring someone down or lift them up? Four, is it Necessary? Would it be better left unsaid? Five, is it Kind? Will it touch someone’s heart? Asking yourself these questions before you speak can save you a lot of trouble.

The best place to start “T.H.I.N.K.-ing” is with your spouse (or, if you’re not married, with the people closest to you). You may need to explain that you’re trying to make the love in your heart more evident in the way you speak.

Some of you might say, “Greg, if I were to apply those questions to everything I say, I’d end up saying nothing.”

Amen. So be it.

Reflection question: Which of the five T.H.I.N.K. questions will have the biggest impact on the things you typically say?

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“When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives my brothers, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends!” (James 1:2 PHILLIPS)

There are a lot of ways you can respond to the trials and temptations that daily life throws at you. One option is to give in without a fight—just surrender to despair or to your sinful urges. That’s one extreme. Let’s call it The Worst Possible Thing You Can Do.

Another option is to blame God, which is actually the same as playing God, if you think about it. You start with the assumption that trials and temptations are bad things, and that if God doesn’t spare you from them, He’s doing something wrong.

A third option is to hunker down and wait for them to pass, like a coastal resident riding out a hurricane.

James offers a different suggestion—one that’s so jaw-droppingly unexpected that it might make you do a double-take. Welcome trials and temptations as friends? Is that even possible?

Look at Proverbs 27:17: “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend” (NLT). You could also substitute the word spouse. Spouses and friends do the hard things that other people won’t do. They challenge us. They lovingly knock us down to size when we need it. They make us better people.

Trials and temptations do the same thing. They just use different methods. That is, God uses those methods. He created you. He knows your potential. And because He knows exactly how you’re wired, He knows which parts of your potential can be unlocked through successes and victories and which parts can be unlocked through trials and temptations. And that’s why He allows them into your life.

In 1 Corinthians 10:13, the apostle Paul writes, “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure” (NLT).

Because God is faithful, we can endure anything life throws at us. Knowing that, we can look for His lessons in every trial and temptation.

God allows hardships to remind you of His power. Sometimes He allows a difficulty so that He can deliver you from it. Sometimes He allows it so that He can remove the difficulty from you. And sometimes He allows hardships to produce or strengthen a necessary quality in your life.

James wrote, “For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing” (James 1:3–4 NLT).

Think of it as a spiritual workout. I go to the gym, but I don’t like it. I’m there with the weight slammers, the guys who drop their barbells so everyone else can hear the heavy clang. And the people who sweat all over everything. And the people who take pictures of themselves while they work out. My favorite part of the gym experience is when I leave.

But I go to get stronger. And that’s not an easy process. You have to break down muscle in order to build it up. God does the same for us. Trials and temptations are like God’s gym, where He strengthens us for the present and for the future.

Reflection question: How might a trial or temptation that you’re facing right now ultimately strengthen your faith?

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“You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.” (James 2:19 NLT)

In Matthew 7:21, Jesus warns about the most tragic surprise imaginable. “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter” (NLT). In this context, He’s talking about false prophets who pretend to serve Him while they lead people astray with their lies. But His words apply to anyone who claims to be a Christian but doesn’t have a relationship with Him.

Well-meaning people who call themselves believers will find out too late that they aren’t. The devastating mistake they make is relying on their own ideas of what it means to follow Christ. I grew up in a Christian family. I’m a good person. I go to church every Sunday. I say my prayers. I was baptized. I receive communion. I tithe. I believe in God.

James counters their thinking with a stark reminder. “You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.” Your faith resembles that of a demon. Now that’s a spiritual wake-up call!

But it’s true. Demons know all too well the truth about Jesus. The devil himself acknowledged that truth. Look at his words to Jesus during the temptation in the wilderness: “Since you are God’s Son, jump” (Matthew 4:6 MSG). The devil knew Jesus was the Messiah, the Savior. But he rebelled against that reality.

Knowing the truth about Jesus doesn’t make you a Christian. It’s a good start, but it’s not enough. Being part of a church doesn’t make you a Christian. It’s highly recommended for spiritual growth, but it’s not enough. Marrying a believer doesn’t make you a Christian. Your spouse’s faith doesn’t count for you.

Living a moral life doesn’t make you a Christian. You can’t follow Jesus on your own terms. In John 2:23–25, we read, “Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in him. But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew all about people. No one needed to tell him about human nature, for he knew what was in each person’s heart” (NLT).

The people wanted what Jesus had to offer, but they weren’t willing to commit to Him, to put their faith in Him, to give their lives to Him.

Let’s make this clear. You become a Christian by admitting that you’re a sinner and that your sin has broken your relationship with God, recognizing that God’s punishment for sin is death, believing that Jesus died to take the punishment for your sin and rose from the grave to destroy the power of death, believing that Jesus’ death and resurrection is the only way to salvation and eternal life, and by confessing your sins to God, asking Him to forgive you, and inviting Jesus into your life.

Reflection question: How do you know that you’re a Christian?

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“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” (James 1:19 NLT)

You can tell a lot about people by the things they’re quick to do and the things they’re slow to do. For instance, some people are slow to get to a party and quick to leave. Some people are quick to make a mess and slow to clean it up. Some people are slow to promote themselves and quick to praise others.

How would your family, or the people who know you best, describe you in terms of being quick to do one thing and slow to do another? How would you describe yourself? What do you think that says about you?

How well do you align with James’ model in the verse above—being “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry”? Most of us get it completely backward. We’re slow to listen, quick to speak, and quick to get angry.

We listen just long enough to convince ourselves that we have pearls of wisdom to contribute. We’re quick to interrupt by offering advice or steering the conversation where we want it to go. And if our pearls of wisdom or attempts to “solve the problem” aren’t appreciated, we get angry and blame the other person.

This is a challenge many married couples face. When your spouse comes to you with a problem, instead of cutting him or her off by saying, “Here’s what you need to do,” try saying something like, “Tell me why this is bothering you.” And then listen—closely, and for as long as your spouse needs to talk. Even—and especially—if your spouse’s problem is with you.

Resist the urge to dismiss the problem as something insignificant. Find a way to work it out calmly. Avoid raising your voice. If you feel rage boiling up inside you, walk away until it goes away. Follow the advice of the apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:31–32: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you” (NLT).

Ruth Graham, the wife of Billy Graham, once said, “A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers.” That’s part of being slow to get angry. You must learn how to forgive, how to keep short accounts, how not to bring up things that happened twenty years ago. Remember, your goal is to work things out and find a resolution. Paul also says in Ephesians 4:26, “Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry” (NLT). So don’t go to bed angry at each other. Fight to resolve, not to win.

Of course, you can often avoid the anger by being quick to listen. And by being slow to speak—and making sure that when you do speak, you’re considering your spouse’s needs in that moment. And by keeping a long fuse on your anger by refusing to get mad about things that ultimately don’t matter.

Reflection question: How can you become quicker to listen, slower to speak, and slower to get angry?

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