James 4:8
“Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
If You Knew Suzie was a popular song in the 20’s or 30’s. I had never really paid attention to a particular line from that song, but it is spiritually revealing: She goes to church each Sunday, to sing and praise the Lord; but then come Monday she’s as busy as a Ford. I have no idea what “busy as a Ford” implies, but it evidently was something quite far removed from praising the Lord.
I believe that might be the pattern of many so-called Christians — act spiritual or righteous when around “church” people, but live like the world the rest of the time. We seem to deceive ourselves into thinking that we can compartmentalize our lives. It’s as if we call a “time out” to do our carnal thing, and then at our convenience return to being “nice.” I do not think that God is at all pleased with this double-mindedness.
The common practice of calling sin by some other name is unacceptable. Sin is sin and God hates sin. We are to confess our sin before Him and allow Him to bring forgiveness and cleansing. Then we are to turn from our former ways and follow Him. This is the only way to get rid of the double-mindedness that plagues the church of Jesus Christ.
James 4:7 seems to give the necessary steps in submitting to God and resisting the devil! When we resist the devil, James says he will flee from us. We resist the devil by submitting to and focusing on God! Let God deal with him!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil