Lay Apart

Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. James 1:21

Rick Renner shares in Sparkling Gems about how “lay apart” is an intentional action, like taking off clothes or pushing aside a plate of food. It doesn’t happen by accident.

The word that caught my attention was naughtiness. I don’t know why, but the word is something I like to say. I don’t like to be naughty anymore, but I like to say the word. I realize this verse echoes David’s words in Psalms:

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11

It is as I go deeper in the Word that the naughtiness or the sin inside of me comes to light. Only then can I make an intentional decision to set the naughtiness aside.

I think about addiction. Many that I work with think that the craving will just go away. The problem is the cravings will only go away if they intentionally don’t give in to them long enough. And even then there is no guarantee. There are tools that can be used to help with cravings, but ultimately overcoming it will come by intentionally choosing not to give in to numbing their feelings. The coping mechanism of not wanting to deal with the emotions that are lying under the surface, or numbing often is what leads to addiction. It isn’t easy but it is possible with God because all things are possible with Him.

Any sin requires an intentional decision to lay it aside or apart. God offers us the way out of temptation, but it generally is our choice which way we choose. The opportunity to make the choice each time temptation comes is what He offers. Sins hold on us will lessen until it is finally broken the more we chose to lay aside our sin.

Lord, I know there is a lot of sin in my life that I have intentionally chosen to set aside, but I know I still have a lot of things in my life that I still need to set aside. Help me to develop that habit during this time of prayer and fasting. I also lift up my friend and her husband to You and pray that you would strengthen, comfort and encourage her. I ask for complete healing from the cancer for her husband on this side of heaven. I pray for the delivery of their grandchild to go smoothly for mom and baby and that the baby be healthy. Lord be with this family as only You can. I ask these things for the glory of Your name amen