04.02.04

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. - James 4:7-8.

Sadly, the Passion of the Christ is no longer playing at a movie theater near us. The Passion did have a long run compared to many movies; however, it would have been nice if it could have stayed on through Easter at least. Instead, it appears that “Hell Boy” has replaced it. Now I don’t know what the replacement movie is about but the title seems to say it all.

What a drastic change! From Christ demonstrating His love through sacrifice to a movie in opposition to all that He represents. Our culture is bi-polar - a large segment loves what is right and a large segment loves what is wrong. Or, is it the same segment of the population that loves both? This is even worse that we want what is good on one hand but also want what is bad. It would be interesting to poll those going to see “Hell Boy” to ask them if they had also viewed the “Passion.” I think we know the sad answer is that many will watch both movies.

The Psalmist said that he hated the double-minded (Psalm 119:113). It seems to be God’s attitude as well at least toward the attitude of double-mindedness. The Psalmist goes on to say, “But I love Your law. You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word (Psalm 119:113b-114).”

If we are one of those who have a love for the good and a love for the bad, all rolled up in us how do we ever change to single-mindedness? The Psalmist gives us direction when he says in Psalm 119:112, “I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever, to the very end.” He then says, “I love Your law,” and says a few words later, “I hope in Your word.” The Word of God which is the “Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17)” appears to be the weapon of choice against double-mindedness.

James adds, “Come near to God and He will come near to you.” But there is something more that is needed. There is an evil that has crept into our hearts and lives that must be dealt with. It must be confronted. It must be shown the door and pushed out into the street. James says, “Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” We cannot do this by ourselves but we must want it in our hearts and then we can come to our Lord Jesus confessing our sins (1 John 1:9) and he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Once we have been cleansed and purified, what do we need to remain in that condition? We need to continue in His Word, saturating our hearts, and minds so much so, that it runs over into every area of our lives and out into the lives of those around us.

Let us rise up against this evil of double-mindedness that has invaded our lives and push it back into the hell from which it came. Through His power and for His glory!