Together - Daily DevotionalSample

Spiritual Exercise

Reading: James 1:19-27

Key Verse: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” verse 22

We briefly considered the importance of exercise on Nov 2nd but in today’s key verse James presents another viewpoint. Food and drink is essential for fitness but all that input without significant output can be dangerous. It is dangerous physically but it is also dangerous spiritually. The Pharisees were a prime example of people who developed a tremendous knowledge of God’s ways but neglected to put them into practice. Jesus called them hypocrites who used their religion as a status symbol to impress struggling people they did not even try to help.

Food and drink are not meant to make us slouch on a couch but provide fuel for our bodies to be active, creative and purposeful. God’s Word and God’s Spirit give us faith and energy to be a blessing to others (Matt.25:31-45). It was as Joshua gave himself “to do everything written” that he would be successful. James explains that failure to put God’s word into practice can lead to self deception. He gives examples of spiritual exercises such as helping the poor and living in purity. We are all blessed by God’s grace through simply believing but such a person will also “be blessed in what he does” (Jam.2:25).

Prayer: Lord show me how I can put Your word into practice