Do What is Needed to Do
Devotional Reading: James 4:17 NLT
Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
Knowing and doing are two different things. We can know what God wants us to do, but actually doing it requires obedience and faith. James 4:17 reminds us that knowing the right thing to do but not doing it is just as wrong as doing something wrong.
Imagine a doctor who knows the right treatment for a patient but fails to administer it. The patient suffers, not because the doctor didn’t know what to do, but because they didn’t act. Similarly, when we know God’s will but don’t obey, we can cause harm to ourselves and others.
For instance, if we know we should forgive someone but choose not to, we’re harboring bitterness and sin. Or if we know we should help someone in need but don’t, we’re neglecting an opportunity to show God’s love.
The Bible says, “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). Our knowledge and faith are meant to propel us into action. When we fail to act, our faith becomes stagnant and ineffective.
As we reflect on James 4:17, let’s ask ourselves: What is God calling me to do today? Am I obeying His voice or just knowing what’s right? What’s holding me back from obeying God’s voice?
Prayer and Confession
I declare that I move from knowledge to action, trusting God’s guidance and empowering grace to yield His instructions.
Further Reading: Galatians 6:9, Romans 12:21
