“Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” (James 4:17)

Sometimes it can be hard to stick to what you ought to do, especially when the urge to act outside of what you ought to do is coming from fellow Christians. You may have friends, brothers or sisters in Christ, who may watch movies that you should avoid due to a previous porn addiction. Others may have the occasional drink of alcohol, but due to a previous addiction or abuse, you ought to avoid it. It can be tempting to join in rather than being the odd one out or the stick in the mud, but James gave us a crucial reminder: it is a sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” (Romans 3:23)

None of us are perfect. We have all been in some kind of situation where we knew what we ought to have done and decided not to do it. Being born again, putting on this new life in Christ, we need to remember that our old ways are gone. The days of knowing what you ought to do and yet choosing something else should be waning. Do not fear being the odd one out; this is a personal verse that focuses on the individual. It does not focus on what others ought to do—it focuses on what you ought to do. Remember you can never be totally alone or ostracized, because Christ is always with you. 

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” (Romans 8:38)

Paul was convinced that nothing can separate us from God’s love. It may be hard to stand on what you ought to do, you may be the only one, but you are never alone—Christ is always with you. Just because others are doing it, doesn’t mean you ought to do it. It is better to stand with Christ and not sin than to give in to the pressure of others and end up sinning. Keep in mind, the conviction of what you ought to do may not come from previous life experience and choices—it may come directly from the Holy Spirit. If you are convicted and know what you ought to do but choose to not do it, then for you it is sin. We should be more concerned over what God says we ought to do, rather than what we see other people doing, even if those other people are Christians. Stand with Christ, firmly knowing that you will not be alone, and do what you know you ought to do. 

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

—Redeemed