James 4:17

I read this verse the other day, and it really messed with me. James 4:17 says, "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins."

This verse stung me a bit. Because most of us view sin in just the things that we do or commit (sins of commission). AKA: The "don't" list. Don't do that. Don't do this. Never do that.

But here, God is saying that often times our sin is that of stuff we know is right to do, but choose not to do (sins of omission). I think this verse captures a lot of Christians. We know the right answers, we know what we should do. We just don't do it. We struggle to obey and follow through.

It goes with an earlier verse in the same book. James 1:22: Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

It is not more information that transforms our actions and attitudes. It is the applying of Biblical truth to our everyday lives that causes life transformation in us. Many Christians want to puff themselves up by saying how much they know, but if that isn't followed by the obeying of that truth, then we are falling into the trap that James 4:17 refers to.