Implant the Word
Scripture: James 1:21; Matthew 13:55; John 7:3-5; First Peter 4:11
In my final message of 2021, I talked about faith and time. At the close of that message I asked you this question: “In 2022 will you have words of faith on the inside of you and use them to help you use the time that your Heavenly Father has given to you as a blessing to Him here on earth?” In short, have you planted God’s Word on the inside of you to help you deal with what you will face in 2022? You have heard me speak hundreds of times about the importance of God’s Word in our lives. You have heard me implore you to take notes during the sermon on Sundays and attend Bible Study – both of which could help you further plant the Word of God in your hearts. Still some of you do not take notes during the sermon, and even though you can attend from the comfort of your own home, you do not make the effort to attend Bible Study or simply do not see it as something that’s important to you. Now some might say that the topics (sermons and Bible Study) are not interesting or you’re just not getting anything out of it. And you know what, I can accept that if people were studying on their own and the Word was bearing fruit in their lives by the choices they make. We all know that what we have implanted in our hearts relating to God’s Word is demonstrated daily in how we live. This morning, in follow-up to last week’s message, I am not asking a question, I am simply going to tell you what the Word says. The title of my message this morning is “Implant the Word” and I will tell you now that some of our toes will be stepped on as mine were as I prepared this message.
James 1:21 says, “Therefore putting aside all filthiness and all that remain of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your soul.” This James was the brother of Jesus and a leader of the Jerusalem council (Acts 15), not the Apostle James. It is believed that he was the oldest of Jesus brothers based on Matthew 13:55 which says, “Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And his brothers, James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas?” James said that we should put aside all filthiness and what remains of wickedness and receive with humility the word of God which, when implanted, will save our souls. I want you to concentrate on the “putting aside” part of this verse. First of all, “putting aside” is a decision. It’s not something that just happens and James understood what it meant to put aside “bad attitudes” and receive the word of God with humility. If you recall, James did not believe that Jesus, his brother, was the Messiah and even challenged Him concerning His mission. Turn with me to the book of John where a story is referenced of James and his brothers confronting Jesus. We will begin reading at verse three.
“His brothers therefore said unto Him, ‘Depart from here, and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You do. 4 For there is no man that does anything in secret, when he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world. 5 For neither did His brothers believe in Him.” (John 7:3-5) James initially did not believe in His brother. Based on Scriptures in the books of Acts and Corinthians, Jesus appeared to James after His resurrection and this caused his conversion and he joined the Apostles after he saw Jesus. His conversion was sure, as Paul referred to him as a “pillar” of the Church in Galatians 2:9. Paul would visit James when he had the opportunity and when Peter was released from prison, he told his friends to tell James of his release (Acts 12:17). Although James started out as a non-believer, once he was converted, he became the prominent leader in the Church, winning the respect of the Apostles and other disciples. So James was speaking from experience when he said “Therefore putting aside all filthiness and all that remain of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your soul.” James was talking about an attitudinal shift that he had to make in reference to Jesus and the people had to make in reference the His Word. He said that we should implant the Word in our hearts with humility because once implanted it could save us. The word “implanted” is important. In the King James it’s “engrafted.” Regardless of which word you use, this is what is important: the Word of God will not be a part of you until you make it a part of you. And one of the things that many Christians miss is this: once the Word of God is inside of you, you have to nurture it so that it will grow. That’s when it becomes “implanted.” We put the Word of God inside of us and then we nurture it so that it will “grow or spring up, or produce” in us what God desires for it to produce.
Everyone one of us has an attitude towards the Word of God. That attitude can be positive, neutral or negative. Our attitude towards the Word of God will determine what we do with it and what it will do in us. If our attitude is positive, then we will take the steps to know it and implant it in our life. If our attitude is neutral, we can literally take it or leave it as we believe that it neither offers anything of importance to help or hinder our life. Finally, if our attitude is negative, and this is the worst case scenario, then we believe the Word of God offers nothing for our life and we spend no time with it at all. There are few Christians who are willing to say they have a neutral attitude towards God’s Word. There are “no” Christians willing to say out loud that they have a negative attitude towards God’s Word. Well folks, let me be blunt with you. Whether you say it or not, how you live with it says it all. If you never make time to study the Word, then your attitude is negative because the Word is not important to you. This is a simple truth. You can listen to gospel music all you want, and it does not change this simple truth. The Christian artist might have a positive attitude towards the Word of God based on the song that they are singing, but that attitude does not transfer to you just because you are listening to and like that song. You can listen to me and any other number of preachers of the gospel, and enjoy the message that you hear. But our attitude towards the Word of God does not transfer to you just when you hear us speak about it. You may have a positive attitude about the speaker, but not necessarily about God’s Word itself. You can read the Daily Word devotional religiously every day as a substitute for reading the Bible and it will not change your personal attitude towards God’s Word. While there is nothing wrong with this devotional in and of itself, it is not and cannot be a replacement for studying God’s Word. If my words are stinging you, so be it. We are out of time. Our lives are at stake. If we do not change our attitude towards the Word of God then nothing in our life is going to change. As a matter of truth, if God’s Word is not in us and we are not utilizing it, we are going to lose every time we face the devil and his demonic influences. He is always going to be a step ahead of us. So let’s take a moment and talk about attitudes.
Attitude is defined as “a bodily posture showing mood, action, etc; a manner of showing one’s feelings or thoughts; one disposition.” Although some people classify everyone with just one attitude “good or bad”, in reality each of us have several attitudes that we display depending on the circumstances we are in. We can have what I call a “core attitude” that is like our foundational attitude for responding to a situation. For example, a core attitude could be someone being describes as optimistic or pessimistic. No matter what situation they are in, they are either optimistic or pessimistic about it. Again, this core attitude has an impact on the other attitudes that we display throughout our lives in every situation we encounter. Regardless of the core attitude that we have adopted as our own, when we yield ourselves to the Spirit of God, we may be faced with a crucial decision of change and that is what James was talking about.
When you think about your attitude towards God’s Word, does your attitude allow you to be an ambassador of Christ? Do you know what it means to be an ambassador? Let’s say you are the ambassador to France for the United States. When you move into the French Embassy, as the highest ranking diplomat, you are the United States in France. Your appointment says that you are living in France but your allegiance is to United States in all matters. Your every word, your every action, represents the United States. If you disagree with a policy as it relates to France, you may occupy the French Embassy, but you do not speak for the United States. Now I want you to stay with me on this. We can call ourselves Christians, never read God’s Word for truth to be implanted in our lives, and subsequently begin to agree with the policies of the world. When we agree with the policies of the world because we do not have God’s Word implanted within us, we are not able to be ambassadors for Christ even though we call ourselves Christians. Why? Because an ambassador is a representative of the one who sent them. They only speak what the one who sent them tells them to speak. So our attitudes towards God’s Word will determine if we are truly able to be Christ’s ambassadors – if we truly represent God’s Kingdom here on earth. Do you speak for Jesus based on your attitude towards God’s Word? Do you represent Him? You should as First Peter 4:11 says, “If any man speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man ministers, let him do it as of the ability which God gives: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
James said we should implant the Word of God in our hearts because it will save our souls. If we truly believe this, then it stands to reason that for those who choose not to do this could be lost. The Word of God says we should implant it within us because, in doing so, it saves us! I shared the history of James so that we can better appreciate what he is saying to us in verse 21. James was telling us to change our attitude as he had to change his attitude. When he speaks of humility, he is speaking from experience, what he went through when he finally accepted that his brother was the Messiah. Remember, it wasn’t until after Jesus died and was resurrected that James accepted Him. And just so you understand the full extent of his conversion, he was martyred for his belief. So when we read the book of James, we can identify with him because he was speaking to us as one who had experienced firsthand a change of attitude toward the Word of God, and in his case, his attitudinal change towards his brother. But let’s look a little closer at what James said in verse twenty-one.
When you look up the word “filthiness” in the Greek, it is the word raparian. It describes filth that is so bad that it affects everyone who comes into contact with it. Vile is also a word that can describe the filthiness that James is speaking of. This Greek word describes a man whose body and clothes are so encrusted with filth that he emits a disgusting odor that affects everyone who comes near him. If you need a visual of this, think about the Peanuts’ character “Pigpen”. Pigpen always had a cloud of dirt around him, even in the winter when there was snow on the ground. This is what James is referring to, that our attitudes can be so bad that they stink and offend everyone around us, just like a bad body odor. When a supposed believer, a child of God, has a negative, cynical and even neutral attitude towards His Word, it stinks. I dare say it stinks to the high heavens!
It is understandable that someone who is not a Christian would hesitate to even consider reading the Bible. It is understandable that a new Christian might struggle initially with the Word of God and how to read and understand it. They may have the desire but not know how to execute on it. Well I am not talking to non-believers in this message. I am not talking to new baby Christians in this message. I am talking to each one of you, who have been a Christian for at least 10-15 years. I am talking to you, who have had access to God’s Word since you were a child; those of you with several Bibles in your homes and on your smart phones. I am talking to you, who can spend hours implanting football and other sports statistics in your mind, but you haven’t taken the time to implant God’s Word that can save your soul. I am talking to you New Light and to all of our friends who join in and/or watch the broadcast remotely. I am talking to all of you who have received my sermons via email for years and may/may not ever open them and read them. Our lives are supposed to be changed when we become Christians, but that change can only happen when we implant the Word of God in our hearts. Our attitudes towards God’s Word will determine if we ever change.
James said, “Therefore putting aside all filthiness and all that remain of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your soul.” (James 1:21) Now I want you to focus on the words “putting aside”. They come from Greek words that mean “away” and to “place or lay something down.” When used together it gives the idea of putting something down and pushing it far away, out of reach. The attitudes that we have about God’s Word that do not line up with the expectations that God has for us should be put down and pushed away from us. You can picture this when eating a meal. To keep from overeating, after you are full or satisfied, you literally put the fork down and push the plate away from you. This is what James is talking about. Put the neutral or negative attitude about God’s Word down and push them away from you. In pushing them away from you, you put them out of reach of your hand – so that you cannot just reach back over and pick them back up.
Another meaning in the New Testament describes someone who takes their dirty clothes off at the end of the day. What is important to understand is that our dirty clothes do not come off by themselves – we must do something. When we get home and we know that we are dirty and smelly, we do not go into our rooms and stand in the middle of the floor waiting for our clothes to come off automatically. No, we have to take action to make it happen. Whether we are unbuttoning or unzipping or just pulling off, there is something that is required of us in order to get the dirty clothes off. Once we get the clothes off, we do not just stand around naked waiting for our bodies to all of a sudden become clean. No, we have to do something more. We have to get in the shower with some soap and water and wash in order to get the filth off. This also applies spiritually. We are in total control of our attitudes towards God’s Word.
Before I close I want to show you in God’s Word what it will do in our lives when we implant it in our hearts. And this addresses the last part of the verse – “save your souls.” You see, James is not talking about salvation. It’s the Greek word sozo, which means “to make whole, deliver or protect.” This is what God’s Word will do to us if it is implanted in us. My desire in this is to change your attitude towards the Word of God believing, that once you understand what it will do in your life, you will spend 2022 implanting it. Let’s look at what the Word does in our lives once it’s implanted. Let’s start with John 8:31-32.
John 8:31-32: “…..If you continue in My Word, then are you My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” The Word is truth and truth saves! However, it’s only the truth that we know that will set us free! The truth that comes from the Word of God! That’s the truth that saves us.
Hebrews 4:12: “For the Word of God is living, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” His Word gets to the heart of the matter and is able to discern our deepest thoughts which when exposed to God’s Word can be dealt with – leading to our salvation. God’s Word pierces through the body and laying open the innermost recesses of the soul (our feelings, passions, desires, appetites) and mind (thoughts and intents of our hearts.)
Jeremiah 23:29: “Is not my Word like a fire? Says the LORD; and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” It’s a fire that refines us and a hammer that breaks us – convicts us of our sins. Think of it this way: the more we implant the Word of God inside of us, the more it will burn up and break up the unbelief that is inside of us.
James 1:22-24: “But be you doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a mirror: 24 for he beholds himself, and goes his way, and immediately forgets what manner of man he was.” It is a mirror to reflect truth. New Life, it’s not enough to have the Word implanted inside of you. It has to be seen in how you live.
Ephesians 5:25-26: “…..Even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it. 26 That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word.” It is a basin from which we are washed and cleansed from wrong thoughts, attitudes and behaviors.
Psalm 119:105: “Your Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” The Word of God is a lamp that guides us – it provides light!
Isaiah 55:9-11: “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. 10 For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and returns not there, but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater. 11 So shall My Word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Just as rain and snow refreshes and accomplishes a purpose on this earth, so does the Word of God in our lives. God said that His Word would accomplish what He said! It would fulfill its purpose.
Psalm 19:7-9: “The law (Word) of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony (Word) of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes (Word) of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment (Word) of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever: the judgments (Word) of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.” God’s Word converts the soul; makes wise the simple; causes our hearts to rejoice and provide enlightenment. This is what the Word does in our lives and it will accomplish everything that God set forth for it to accomplish. This is what God says about His Word. Do you believe it?
Romans 10:17: “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” Our faith comes through the Word of God. It is impossible for you to have faith outside of God’s Word. You can confess and lie all you want, but if you are not studying God’s Word for yourself – if you are not implanting it in your life – and not just what man says about it - but God’s Word itself, you will not have much nor grow in faith! It cannot happen. It is not possible!
So New Light and everyone else who might hear or read this message, you need to make the decision for 2022 to implant God’s Word into your heart. I am not asking you to do it. I am not asking you to consider doing it. God is commanding you to do it, not Rodney as I am just the messenger. I am only delivering His truth. So if you have a neutral or negative attitude towards God’s Word as evident in how much time you spend with it, you need to change. We cannot just pray that it happens; we must do something to make it happen.
I do not know where you are with your understanding and willingness to deal with your attitude towards God’s Word but God knows. For me personally, I continually take a long look in the mirror to make sure my priorities are aligned correctly. The first step in changing your attitude towards God’s Word is to be honest and acknowledge that your attitude is wrong and thus not pleasing to God the Father. Next you must be willing to change – to do something differently. Remember, only you can “make the choice to remove those filthy, stinking garments (attitudes about the Word of God) from your life, to permanently lay them down and then deliberately push them out of range forever……” If you want to see change in 2022, then you must change. Stop praying about it and stop asking God to change your situation. Your situation is not going to change until you take the first step and begin implanting His Word in your heart. It may not be your situation that needs to change, it could be you! If you are not implanting God’s Word in your heart, then it is you!
I know this was a hard message. But God gave it to me to give to you and to me. Everything I’ve said this morning applies to Rodney. So take this message as God giving us our New Year’s resolution because He’s our Father and He wants the best for us. So, Happy New Year New Light and friends! I pray that this year you will see God move in your life as never before because you implanted His Word in your life as never before.
Until next time, “The Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up His countenance on you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
(We are once again conducting live services on Sunday morning beginning at 9:15 a.m. We will continue to broadcast live on Facebook Live at 10:00 a.m.. Please tune in to "New Light Christian Fellowship Church" and like our page if you wish to watch our broadcast and be notified when we go live. If you are ever in the Kansas City, KS area, please come and worship with us at New Light Christian Fellowship, 15 N. 14th Street, Kansas City, KS 66102. We also have Thursday night Bible study at 7 p.m. via Zoom that you are also welcome to attend – please email me for the link. Also, for use of our social media, you can find us at newlightchristianfellowship on FB. To get our live stream services, please make sure you “like” and turn on notifications for our page so you can be notified when we are live streaming. We also have a church website and New Light Christian Fellowship YouTube channel for more of our content. If you would like to donate to our ministry you may do so through our website: newlightchristianfellowship.org by clicking on the PayPal or Cash App buttons. May God bless and keep you.)
