Add the word "How"

"So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it,

for him it is sin." James 4:17 ESV

photo © 2006 Jim Fischer | more info (via: Wylio)


I memorized this verse wrong some time ago. As a result, it didn't have quite the impact it should have until today. I was saying "whoever knows what he should do..." instead of "... knows the right thing to do..."
That little change allowed me frequently place the question of right and wrong into some dangerous context. Regardless of right and wrong, is God calling me to do this thing?
Is God calling me to help that person?
Is God calling me to change the tone of our argument?
Is God calling me to apologize? Be patient? Stop cussing? Work less? Love more? Pray more fervently?
God calls us to do something by putting it on our hearts. So ff we are asking the question, 'should I be doing something about this?' The answer is most always a resounding 'YES you should'! After all, often times I find that it's not a prayer of what should be done, but should I do it. And in that case, it is me that knows what "the right thing to do" is.
So I repeat God's admonition, "whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin."
To be on the safe side, when you are asking yourself these questions, add the word "how" to the front of them.


It's not, 'Does God want to use me in this case?' 
It's ,'How does God want to use me in this case?'