LEARNING DAILY

James 1:16, Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.

There is that warning again – “Do not be deceived.” It is speaking to Believers warning them not to get off the narrow way, to not go in a direction that is contrary to God’s will, to go outside of His plan. What was James writing to warn Believers?

Since he has been writing about trials faced by Believers and the devil enticing and trying to lure them away from walking in the truth, James is writing to not be deceived by sin. Do you remember that at the beginning of his letter, James said “to count it all joy when trials come” or do not dwell on how bad situation(s) are when facing difficulty. Now he is writing for Believers to be careful about the good things that come their direction. The truth is sin deceives many. The last verse in Judges speaks of people having no king and because of that they did what was right in their own eyes. It comes as no surprise that people today do what they want because they believe there are no absolutes. “I see it and it seems good to me, so I am going to do it!” “It feels good to me, so no one can tell me I cannot do what I want!” And James writes, “Do not be deceived!” Each person is responsible for their own sin. Thankfully, Jesus Christ took the penalty for the Believer. Knowing that is not a license to do as one wants; it is a responsibility to walk the narrow way in obedience and confession when one sins.

There is the belief by many who believe that telling someone their morality or lifestyle is wrong is intolerant. Those who believe they can live and act as they want follow absolute relativism or moral absolutism. Moral absolutism is the belief that truth is based on culture, one’s situation, or one’s feelings. The Believer’s belief for living their lives is based on God as the ultimate source of right and wrong, good and evil, on what God says in His Word. God never changes; He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Therefore, morality never changes either.

It is important to know that God’s ideas of moral behavior do not change. Changing culture, changing situations or times do not change moral standards. Because I believe in God’s moral standards, I will probably be labeled as intolerant, and I should tolerate all behavior and all views. I am not going to tolerate evil any longer. Tolerating all views and behavior has gotten this country into the terrible situations being faced with today. I guess I could also throw out the thought that those who say I am intolerant are intolerant of my views. Right!? The insistence of tolerating all views is the Biblical view that people should always treat others with kindness. But that is absolutism again!

“Do not be deceived!” Do not allow your desires to cloud your judgement and lead you to stray from the narrow way. James is writing to Believers. Stay connected to God and His teachings, stand firm when tempted, and make choices based on the word of God – the entire Word not just something you can twist to meet your desires. Live each day in the light of God’s Word and His will.