Doing Good Isn’t Optional It’s Our Calling ... Unpacking the Message of James 4:17
- Anthony Speciale
- Oct 6
- 12 min read
Greetings,
Doing Good Isn’t Optional—It’s Our Calling
James 4:17 - “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”
Unpacking the Message of James 4:17
James 4:17 is one of those verses that stops us in our tracks. It’s short, direct, and deeply convicting. “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” This single sentence pierces through all our excuses, all our procrastination, all the times we tell ourselves, “I’ll do it later,” or “Someone else will handle it.” It draws a line in the sand between knowing what’s right—and actually living it out.
When James wrote this, he was speaking to believers who had become comfortable with saying the right things but not necessarily doing them. The early church was wrestling with pride, self-sufficiency, and judgment toward others. People were planning their lives without consulting God, talking about faith without living in obedience. So James drives home this truth: faith that knows what is right, but does nothing, is not faith at all. In other words, our knowledge of good becomes accountability before God. Once you know what’s right, you’re responsible to act on it.
This verse forces us to examine not only the sins we commit, but the good we neglect. It’s easy to identify sins of commission—lying, stealing, gossiping, disobeying God outright. But James confronts the sin of omission—the sin of not doing what we know we should. If you have the opportunity to encourage someone and you stay silent, if you sense the Holy Spirit prompting you to give, to serve, to forgive—and you hold back—James says that’s sin. Not because God is harsh, but because He knows that obedience is how we reflect His heart to the world.
This verse pushes us to maturity. It reminds us that walking with God is not just about avoiding evil but about actively pursuing good. It’s about becoming people whose actions align with the convictions God has written on our hearts. When you know what you ought to do and still hesitate, you begin to grieve the Spirit within you. Disobedience dulls your spiritual sensitivity over time. But when you respond in obedience, even when it costs you, your faith strengthens, your discernment sharpens, and your relationship with God deepens.
Consider how this plays out in daily life. Maybe you know you should reach out to that family member you haven’t spoken to in years, but pride or pain holds you back. Maybe God’s been nudging you to give more generously, but fear of lack has silenced that step of faith. Perhaps you’ve been delaying forgiveness because the wound still aches. James is saying, when you know the good you should do, doing nothing is not neutral—it’s disobedience. And disobedience always leads to distance from God’s presence.
But the beauty of this verse isn’t just its conviction—it’s the invitation. It’s God saying, “I’m showing you what’s right because I want to draw you closer to Me.” His commands are not burdens, they’re pathways to blessing. Every act of obedience, no matter how small, aligns your life more closely with His purpose. Maybe that act of good you’ve been delaying is the very key to unlocking peace or healing in your life.
When we think about this verse in the context of Jesus’ life, it becomes even more powerful. Jesus always did the good He knew He ought to do. He healed when others turned away. He forgave when others condemned. He gave when others hoarded. And He did it all not because it was easy, but because it was right. He lived out perfect obedience—and through His example, we see what it means to live as a true follower of God. To walk as Jesus walked is to respond to the needs we see around us, to follow the prompting of the Spirit without hesitation.
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James 4:17 calls us to wake up from spiritual passivity. It challenges us to stop living by convenience and start living by conviction. Every day, God places before us opportunities for obedience—moments to speak kindness instead of criticism, moments to act in faith instead of fear, moments to extend grace instead of judgment. The difference between a believer who grows and one who stays stagnant often comes down to this: the willingness to do the good they know they ought to do.
If you’ve been avoiding a step of obedience, let this verse stir your heart. Don’t let hesitation rob you of intimacy with God. Don’t let procrastination steal your purpose. The moment you obey—whether it’s making that phone call, forgiving that person, or surrendering that habit—you align yourself with the will of God, and peace floods your soul. Obedience always precedes blessing.
And here’s something we must never forget: God doesn’t just call us to do good; He equips us to do it. The same Spirit that convicts you also empowers you. When you step out in faith, you’re not walking alone—you’re walking with divine strength. God delights in your obedience, not because He needs your works, but because your obedience is evidence of your love for Him.
So as you meditate on this verse, ask yourself: what is the good I’ve been avoiding? What’s the small act of obedience I’ve been postponing? The Christian life isn’t about perfection—it’s about direction. Each act of obedience turns your heart a little closer toward Christ, until your life itself becomes a testimony of His goodness.
James 4:17 isn’t meant to condemn—it’s meant to awaken. It reminds us that knowing what’s right is never enough. Faith without action is dead, but faith that acts on what it knows becomes alive and powerful. When you begin to live this way, you’ll find that doing good no longer feels like a duty—it becomes a delight, because you’re walking hand in hand with the One who is Good Himself.
In the end, obedience isn’t just about doing the right thing—it’s about reflecting the nature of Jesus. It’s about showing the world what love looks like in action. When you know the good you ought to do, and you do it, you become a vessel through which God’s light shines into a dark world. And that’s how lives are changed—one obedient act at a time.
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Here’s our 7-Day Journaling Plan based on James 4:17 — “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”
This plan is designed to help a believer move from awareness to action, through honest reflection, conviction, and grace-filled obedience.
Each day includes a theme, a short devotional thought, reflection questions, and a prayer prompt to guide a rich, Spirit-led journaling time.
🌅 Opening Prayer (Before Journaling)
“Father God, as I open my heart before You today, teach me what it truly means to do good. Help me to see the opportunities You place in front of me and give me the courage to act on them. Remove distraction, pride, and fear, and fill me with a heart that obeys quickly and loves deeply. May Your Word guide my thoughts, convict my spirit, and renew my purpose. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.”
Day 1 – The Weight of Knowing
Scripture Focus: James 4:17
Reflection Thought: Knowledge of God’s will brings responsibility. When you know the right thing to do, you’ve been entrusted with divine revelation — an opportunity to reflect God’s goodness in the world. The question isn’t, “Do I know what’s right?” but “Will I do it?”
Journal Prompts:
What areas of my life has God made His will clear, but I’ve hesitated to act?
Why do I find it easier to delay obedience rather than embrace it?
How can I honor God by responding immediately when He prompts me?
Prayer Prompt: “Lord, thank You for revealing what’s right. Give me the courage to act on what You’ve already shown me. Let me not be just a hearer of Your Word, but a doer.”
Day 2 – The Sin of Omission
Scripture Focus: Luke 10:30–37 (The Good Samaritan)
Reflection Thought: Sin isn’t always doing the wrong thing — sometimes it’s doing nothing when you could have done good. The priest and Levite passed by the wounded man. They didn’t harm him, but they also didn’t help him. God calls us to see those moments of inaction for what they are: missed opportunities to love.
Journal Prompts:
Who is lying “on the side of the road” in my life that I’ve been walking past?
What excuses do I make for not getting involved or offering help?
How can I reflect Christ’s compassion this week through small acts of obedience?
Prayer Prompt: “Father, open my eyes to the needs around me. Break my heart for what breaks Yours. Give me a willing spirit to respond to the hurting, even when it’s inconvenient.”
Day 3 – Listening to the Holy Spirit
Scripture Focus: John 16:13
Reflection Thought: The Holy Spirit guides believers into all truth — but guidance only matters if we follow it. Many times, we sense the Spirit’s nudge and rationalize it away. Today’s challenge is to slow down and listen for His prompting, then move when He says move.
Journal Prompts:
When have I felt the Holy Spirit prompting me to act and I ignored it?
How can I cultivate a more sensitive heart to His voice?
What’s one act of obedience I can take today, even if it’s small?
Prayer Prompt: “Holy Spirit, train my heart to listen and respond quickly. Help me not to question or delay when You call me to act. I trust that Your leading always leads to life.”
Day 4 – Obedience as Love
Scripture Focus: John 14:15 – “If you love me, keep my commandments.”
Reflection Thought: Obedience isn’t about rules — it’s about relationship. Every act of obedience says, “God, I love You more than my comfort, pride, or fear.” When we obey, we show love in motion.
Journal Prompts:
How does my obedience reflect (or not reflect) my love for God?
Is there an area where I’ve been choosing comfort over commitment?
What does loving obedience look like in my relationships today?
Prayer Prompt: “Lord Jesus, teach me that obedience isn’t a burden but a blessing. May my actions today declare that I love You more than anything else.”
Day 5 – Repentance and Renewal
Scripture Focus: Psalm 51:10–12
Reflection Thought: When we fail to do the good we know we should, God doesn’t abandon us — He invites us into repentance and renewal. Repentance restores fellowship, clears the heart, and renews purpose.
Journal Prompts:
What good have I left undone that I need to repent for?
How can I receive God’s forgiveness and start again without shame?
What changes will I make to live more intentionally in obedience?
Prayer Prompt: “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Wash away my hesitation, my pride, my excuses. Renew a steadfast spirit within me and give me the strength to begin again.”
Day 6 – Doing Good Without Recognition
Scripture Focus: Matthew 6:1–4
Reflection Thought: Doing good isn’t about being seen — it’s about being faithful. True obedience seeks no applause. The Father sees in secret and rewards in His time. When you live to please God rather than people, your good deeds become worship.
Journal Prompts:
Do I ever hesitate to do good because no one will notice or appreciate it?
How can I shift my focus from earthly recognition to heavenly approval?
Where can I serve quietly this week, purely out of love for God?
Prayer Prompt: “Father, keep my motives pure. Let me do good for Your glory alone. May every act of obedience be an offering of love and gratitude to You.”
Day 7 – Living a Life of Active Faith
Scripture Focus: James 2:17 – “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
Reflection Thought: Faith that doesn’t act isn’t alive. God’s desire is for His children to live out what they believe — not just in moments of crisis, but in the ordinary rhythm of daily life. Obedience transforms belief into movement, and knowledge into purpose.
Journal Prompts:
What would a “life of active faith” look like for me right now?
How can I be more consistent in doing the good God places before me?
What step of obedience is God calling me to take this week?
Prayer Prompt: “Lord, I want a living faith — one that moves, serves, loves, and obeys. Give me the courage to step into action and the humility to depend on You every step of the way.”
🌿 Encouragement for the Week:
You don’t have to get it all perfect — you just have to get started. Every small act of obedience is a seed that grows into righteousness. God isn’t waiting for you to have it all figured out; He’s waiting for you to move with what you already know.
🌙 Closing Prayer (After Journaling)
“Lord, thank You for meeting with me in this quiet space. I’ve heard Your truth — now help me live it. Give me strength to act on what You’ve shown me today and grace to walk in obedience when it’s hard. Let my life reflect Your goodness and bring light into the lives of others. I surrender my will to Yours and trust that Your way is always best. In Jesus’ precious name, amen.”
Closing thoughts as we pray for those reading or hearing this verse today...
Dear Beloved in Christ,
Doing Good Isn’t Optional—It’s Our Calling
There’s a quiet conviction in the words of James 4:17 -
“If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”
This verse reminds us that righteousness isn’t just about avoiding wrong—it’s about acting on the good we know to do.
God calls us not only to believe but to move, to let our faith be visible through compassion, service, and obedience.
How many moments in our day present an opportunity to do good—a kind word, a helping hand, a prayer for someone in need—that we might overlook?
Today, let’s not ignore those small nudges from the Holy Spirit. They’re divine invitations to bring light into the world.
You don’t have to change everything overnight. Just start with what’s in front of you.
Do the good you already know to do, and watch how God multiplies your obedience into blessing. Be the good. Reflect His goodness.
Because to know the good—and to do it—is to walk in the will of God.
Grace and peace 🙏🏻
Be Relentless In Pursuit Of The Will
Which God Has Set Upon Your Life,
❤️ Anthony and Anna Speciale
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