James 4:17- Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
Doing the right thing is not easy, emotions get in the way. Fear, ego, pride, rebellion, lack of knowledge and the urge to belong get in the way of our decision making. A while back I had a conversation with a group of teens and asked how they felt about skipping school. They said it was wrong, they were cheating themselves out of learning, and one even said it was deceitful. I asked who has skipped school at least once and most raised their hands. I asked if you know better, why don’t you do better? They all looked puzzled, one honestly said because I feel like it. Another said, I do not know.
Have you ever thought about why when we know better, we still don’t do better? At an earlier age we do things because we don’t know better. You may touch the hot stove when you are two years old because you are curious and want to know if it is really hot. Once you touch the stove and find out that it is truly hot through the burn you sustain, you should learn the lesson. You should understand never to touch a hot stove again. However, as we mature, many of us know better but don’t do better.
Today’s verse is a reminder that it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. If you know better, you should do better. No excuses. Is there an area in your life where you know better but refuse to do better? I encourage you to dig deep and be honest with yourself.
Dear God,
Thank you for the reminder that it is sin to know what I ought to do and then not do it. I pray that all your children take to heart this reminder that it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. I ask this in your son Jesus’ name. Amen
Ilka V. Chavez