Bible Devotions

A Millstone or a Milestone?

But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. (James 1:25)


Some people see the Christian life as rules and regulations and hardships, but God's law is the law of liberty...which means that it's not a list of do's and don'ts, but rather wills and won'ts. Unless God's Word has made a change in our lives, it hasn't really entered our lives. God's Word becomes a millstone if we don't make it a milestone. In James 1, we find three tests that can help us determine whether we are truly spiritual.

First, a truly spiritual person will control his or her tongue (see verses 19-20). We may take pride in the fact that we aren't immoral or violent, but we can inflict pain on others by wounding them with our words. David wrote, "I will guard my ways, lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, while the wicked are before me" (Psalm 39:1).

Second, a truly spiritual person will care about others (James 1:27). Jesus said that when we give a drink to strangers, invite them into our homes, clothe them, or visit them when they are sick or in prison, we are doing it for Him and even to Him (see Matthew 25:34-40).

Third, a truly spiritual person will not be polluted by the world (James 1:27). As 1 John 2:16 says, "For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-is not of the Father but is of the world." We want to keep ourselves from being corrupted by this world.

If we are truly spiritual men and women, then our good works will be clearly evident.