Devotion Pure and Undefiled
Exploring the Book of Ya’aqov, Pt. 8
If anyone thinks himself to be devout—not bridling his tongue, but rather deceiving his heart—the devotion of this one is vain. Devotion pure and undefiled with the God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their oppression, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. (יַעֲקֹב Ya’aqov 1:26-27, mjlt)
If you were truly devoted to God—if you were devout—how would you conduct yourself? What would you do? What does that mean? Does it mean that you would spend an hour each morning at dawn reading your Bible, praying, listening to music, and sipping Starbucks? Does it mean that you would be religious—regularly attending worship services, reciting the prayers or affirmations, and embracing the rituals, accoutrements and calendar of the established traditions?
But what if devotion is deeper than that? Simpler? What if true devotion has nothing to do with religion or “devotions” at all, but is instead about being consumed with God in every single thought, word and action?
“If anyone thinks himself to be devout,” he may want to think again. Devotion is not something that God simply credits to our account just because we have reduced our walk with Him to manageable, repetitive religious habit. Rather, by nature, it is supposed to be dynamic, spontaneous and responsive in any given situation. Devotion is the intersection between our daily lives and the degree to which we welcome God to rule it. It is an accurate reflection of how we are really relating to Yeshua—right now.
For example, when everything we have to say is negative and critical and prideful, or we speak out harshly in anger or frustration, or we simply run off at the mouth, saying whatever unfiltered thought that pops in our head, we are “not bridling [our] tongue, but rather deceiving [our] heart,” demonstrating without doubt how truly undevoted we are to God. On the contrary, this shows how dedicated we are to ourselves—our own mind and thoughts—and how devoid our spirit is of divine and Scriptural influence.
So whether we are deficient in our words and attitudes toward others, or we speak and act insensitively or selfishly in our relationships, or we automatically follow our fleshly instincts whenever we feel desire, or we give in to our emotions rather than seeking the mind of God, or we ignore or fail to consult the Scriptures when faced with choices and decisions, or we neglect to proclaim the Messiah in our everyday encounters—or especially when our daily interaction with God is rote and vague and trivial and lifeless—“the devotion of this one is vain.”
When God is not sufficiently invited into our normal, ordinary daily lives—and we are not sufficiently engaged with Him in it—no amount of compartmentalized prayer, Bible study, praise, worship, congregational attendance, tradition or ritual will amount to “devotion pure and undefiled” in the eyes of God. Instead, it is “vain,” empty, useless and worthless. It is devoid of anything that would connect us to God and the world around us in a significantly meaningful way.
Instead, “devotion pure and undefiled with the God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their oppression, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” A defiled, impure devotion is self-pleasing and introverted, pursuing God with self-serving motives, or in obliviousness toward outside causes and needs. But an undefiled, pure devotion is set on pleasing God and meeting the needs of others. It is extroverted—it serves and runs after God with self-sacrificial motives, consciously aware of both the need to act outwardly on behalf of others, as well as the necessity to act inwardly in pursuit of purity and sinlessness.
It’s time to evaluate and reflect upon the quality and kind of our devotion. Does it reveal that we have relegated God to one religious corner of our lives? Or does it reflect the self-sacrificial walk of a slave whose life is consumed with the will of his Master? Don’t deceive your heart any longer; today, make your devotion pure and undefiled.
What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
I needed to hear this. So on time. Didn’t see it coming either.
Yes, it was a very Inspirational message that needed to be heard.
May our hearts be hungry to receive more “meaty” messages like this one.
You know it. We need more of it. Bring it on. Keep them coming. Thank you and the staff for your relentless labor of love. Shalom.
Your article was very insightful and caused me to examine my actions and clarify what Yehovah sees as true devotion not what I think it is. Thank you for your ministry and the work you did on completing the new translation.
We are no longer to live for ourselves but for The One (Yeshua) who died for us. It isn’t about us it’s all about Him. YHWH says “Be Holy for I am Holy”.
Wow! He came to serve.
May the Holy One get us to this place.
You are right on, Kevin, thanks for sharing this message. We get so caught up in doing that we forget it is really about being. God is not so much interested in the good things we do as He is in our having an intimate relationship with Him then we will do good things but in His time and His way and not ours. That will make all the difference in making what we do more effective in conveying God’s love and care to others. Abiding in Him is being conscious 24/7 that I am His child and then living every moment of my life with that in mind.
Kevin, Your latest newsletter spoke deeply to my heart..Bless you for being His vessel to speak out the uncompromising truth of His Word.. ‘Devotion Pure and Undefiled’ was Fathers perfect timing for me..Seeing myself in the mirror of a slippery slope in critical thought, self pity, attitude, negative speech, all listed (as examples) cut to the core..Full of myself! Being pulled down and all the while in the back of my mind knowing this isn’t a good place to be at all..Life is full of highs and lows and I was moving pretty low..Not keeping focused and centered on Him..But Praise God, He broke through those crusty areas of Deception I had allowed to take place in my life..A huge heaviness lifted..To quote you:”It is time to evaluate and reflect upon the quality and kind of my devotion.” I have, very carefully, reflected in honesty and repentance..Yes, I desire my life to “reflect the self sacrificial walk of a slave whose life is consumed with the will of the Master.”
I just read James 5:19-20 which is a perfect closing..Praise Him and thank you.. I love my MJLT..
Blessings to you,your wife and four beautiful sons..
MaryBen Thomas
Excellent and thanks again Kevin. This rendition of scripture using the word “devotion” instead of “religion” brings out it the true meaning more in my opinion. MJLT way to go!