James 1:21

James 1:21
Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls


Our society is a cesspool of spiritual filth. Unbelief, fear, doubt, idolatry, pornography, cynicism, anger, and confusion are being pumped out by the mass media daily. The only way to be an overcomer in the midst of a fallen and corrupt world is to receive the power of God's Word in your inner being. the Word of God penetrates the depths of our being ( Heb. 4:12) and energizes us with the Word of God's dynamic force. When we are filled with the Word of God, we have the spiritual power to overcome.
"which is able to save your souls" (1:21)
Spirit Filled Life Bible
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NLT: So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the message God has planted in your hearts, for it is strong enough to save your souls.
 Stated very clearly, the Word of God has the power to SAVE OUR SOULS!
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1:21 Putting Aside Filthiness And Wickedness



Because it is a Spirit vs. fles problem, James says, "lay those things aside. Lay aside all that remains of wickedness, then receive the Word."


You can't really receive what the Bible is saying unless you are willing to lay aside your sin. You see, if you are in sin, you justify the teachings in your mind. You think, "Oh, I wish Joe were here. He really needs to listen to this." Or, "Nice preaching, but that's not realistic." Or, "That doesn't apply to me."


If these are your thoughts, then sin is keeping you from receiving the Word. You need to turn from it, get rid of it, before you can receive.


If you do turn from sin, and begin to receive the Word, it is able to save your soul. Now, this is not talking about eternal salvation, forgiveness of sins, and heaven. These people to whom James is writing are already saved. No, the salvation that he is speaking of is a "preserving or saving" of your soul.


Your soul is the internal "you." From your heart spring emotions, from your mind come thoughts. And all of those things roll up into your soul to make you. This is what the Word can preserve when you receive it.


Have you ever known a Christian who backslid into sin for a long period of time? When they come back, they're still saved, but they've lost something. They're less of who they were, they're a bit burned out, they're a little emptier. That's because sin rots your soul. It eats away and evaporates who you are. And the longer you live in unrepentant sin, the less of you will be there on the other side when you come out of it.


After David's sin of adultery with Bathsheba, he didn't repent, he tried to cover it up. And as he tried to keep it hidden, his soul was decomposing. This manifested itself even physically. He wrote,


Ps. 32:3-5 When I kept silent {about my sin} , my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was drained away {as} with the fever heat of summer. Selah. I acknowledged my sin to Thee, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”; And Thou didst forgive the guilt of my sin. Selah.


David's sin was forgiven, but he was never the same man. He had lost some of his soul. Receiving the Word protects and preserves you from this soul decay.
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