James 3 - 5

James tells it like it really is and sometimes it’s hard for us to hear.  He gives more practical advice on how Christians should act - things like fighting, anger, quarreling, showing favoritism, controlling the tongue, boasting, patience and prayer.  Remember your actions may be the only Bible someone reads.

James 3 – Godly Speech & Wisdom

James warns that many of us should not be teachers.  Why?  Instructing in the Word of God is such a serious responsibility that God will judge teachers more harshly than others.  Teachers are held to a higher standard.  People look up to teachers as they are in positions of influence and authority.  They are molding minds.  God has given us an instrument called the tongue and is to be used in the service of teaching, but we should be cautious.  Without preparation teaching is like the blind leading the blind.  He said that we all stumble in many ways, because we are not perfect (James 3:1-2).

 

We should realize that the smallest objects have great power.  He used the examples of the bit in the horse’s mouth which guides and controls the horse, a small rudder steers a large ship and a small spark starts a forest fire.  The tongue is small, but has great power and can do harmful things.  We should be careful what we say.  Words have a lot of power.  We always remember the negative words, but most likely we will forget the positive words.  Before speaking ask yourself, “Does it give a blessing?” or “Is it going to better the other person?”  So James said to watch our tongues. – (James 3:3-10).  How can we do that?  Recognize we need to watch what we say and then ask God to help us control our tongues and of course think before we speak.

One little word of discouragement to someone can stay with a person the rest of their lives.  The childhood saying “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me” isn’t really true.  Experts say it take 5 positive comments to offset 1 negative.  When people are called dumb, stupid, lazy, hopeless, etc, they never forget.  Some of the sins of the tongue are:  coarse jesting, gossip, lying, slander, swearing, ungraceful speech, criticism, unkind words.  “For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” – (Matthew 12:37).  Instead use the tongue to comfort, encourage, warn, worship and pray.

When have you been challenged with your speech?

Do your words speak blessings and encouragement or are they hateful?

If we surrender our minds to God, our tongues will follow.  Paul speaks of mind control, which will lead to tongue control.  “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Rom. 12:2.  Not only should we control what we say in a negative way, but we should speak positively.  Say something to encourage someone this week.  Praise God for how He’s provided, protected, comforted, or guided you.  Be a witness to others how He has done this in your life.

“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.  The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value.  The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment.” –Prov. 10:19-21.

“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.” – Prov. 16:24. 

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” – Prov. 18:21

How has your tongue been tattling on your heart?

Does your tongue show who you really are?

Have you surrendered you mind and tongue to God?

James tells us there are two kinds of wisdom – earthly and heavenly.  Earthly wisdom harbors bitter envy, selfish ambition, is boastful, denies the truth and is not from heaven.  It shows itself in inconsiderate actions, arrogance, selfishness and bitterness.  It is unspiritual and from the devil.  Heavenly wisdom is pure, peace-loving, considerate, gentle, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, sincere and comes from heaven.  True wisdom is evident by meek actions.  It shows us how to do good works.  Doing good works in a way designed to bring attention to yourself shows lack of true wisdom.  (James 13-18).

 

Wisdom is not only knowledge, but application.  When we hear words of wisdom, it reshapes our thinking and focus.  God’s wisdom is totally pure, because He is holy.  Man’s wisdom is competitive and leads to strife and can make a person hard and stubborn.  Take time to evaluate those places when you have been stubborn.  His wisdom is impartial and brings strength and is sincere.  Man’s wisdom is insincere and fake.

How can we gain more heavenly wisdom?  God gives heavenly wisdom by the study of His Word.  The book of Proverbs is a good book on wisdom.  We can ask God for more heavenly wisdom.  Don’t try to please everyone, only please God.

What kind of wisdom do you have?

What sources do you turn to for wisdom? 

Have you ask God for heavenly wisdom?

Where does the Bible fall on that list?

Where is disorder in your life? 

Can you trace it back to worldly wisdom?

Do you see the wisdom of God as an option or an obligation?

Principle:  Applying God’s wisdom by His Spirit will change how we talk and think.

James 4 – Problem and Solution to Worldliness

We are to have self-control.  When we believe, we put on a new nature.  Our old nature is not transferred instantly, but is a process.  The cause of all quarrels is inside our hearts and comes from our own desires.  James said that if we are friends with the world, then we hate God.  We can’t be both friends of this world system in rebellion against God and be friends of God at the same time.  The Holy Spirit in us yearns for our friendship with God.  The Spirit convicts the Christian who lives in compromise.  He wants total devotion of our hearts.  – (James 4:4-5).  The world hates God and hates us for following Him.  If you choose to be a friend of the world, you become an enemy of God.  As believers we are in a relationship with the Lord.  Being friends with the world is an adulterous relationship.

Pride is a great sin. “God opposes the proud, but give grace to the humble.” – James 4:6.  We are to rid ourselves of worldly thinking.  We are to submit to God and resist the devil.  “Come near to God and He will come near to you… Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” – (James 4:8-10).  True submission is outward and inward.  You can go to Bible study and church, but you also need confession. 

Why should we submit to God?

Because He created us.

Because His rule is good for us.

Because all resistance to Him is futile.

Because submission is absolutely necessary to salvation.

Because it’s the only way to have peace with God.

Because He gave His son to die for what we deserve.

What does it mean to draw near to God?

We are near to Him when we worship, praise and pray to Him.

We enjoy communion with Him.

We seek and follow His ways in the course of your life.

It helps us resist the devil.

It helps us to become more like Jesus.

It helps us to think of eternal things.

We depend on Him.

How can we draw near to God?

We can get to know Jesus.

We can get in His Word.

We can get to praying.

We can praise and worship Him.

We can go the church regularly.

We can be thankful and stop complaining.

We can make Him the center of our life.

When was the last time you brought a sin to God?

What kind of worldly thinking do you have? 

Are you depending on God or on yourself?

We are not to slander each other.  We are not to judge others.  When we do that, we put ourselves in the same place of judgment.  People are criticized for their appearance or if they don’t meet the right standards.  They compare one person to another or to themselves.  People want others to measure up to their own standards.  Only God can judge and only He knows the heart.  Christians are to speak the truth in love. (James 4:11-12).

James warns about boasting.  We should not have the kind of heart that lives and makes plans apart from the awareness of God.  We should be aware of our limitations.  He wants us to realize that human life is fragile.  We live this life that He gives us only by His permission. We can plan and do things, but we need to do in on the reliance of God.  It is arrogance and prideful when we move about being independent of God.  James said it is easier to think about and talk about humility and the dependence on God than to actually live it.  If we know what we should do and don’t do it, it’s a sin. (James 4:13-17).

Principle:  As we humbly surrender our desires and plans to the Lord, He will lead us by grace into His perfect will.

James 5 – Patient Endurance

James gave a warning to the rich.  There are 4 crimes of the rich man mentioned in James 5:1-6:  hoarding wealth, failing to pay workmen (theft), living in self-indulgence, condemning and murdering innocent men.  Are these actions the actions of Christians?  We are not supposed to judge, but these actions are not how Christians are supposed to act.  Remember James was writing to all Christians so he is reminding them how to act.  None of us are perfect and will never be until we reach heaven.  That’s why we need scripture and the Holy Spirit to convict us and guides us.  Wealth in itself is not sinful.  It’s one’s attitude toward it and how you use it.  God always knows how we are being treated and how we treat others.

Jesus is coming so be patient and stand firm.  We are not to grumble against each other or we will be judged.  Be an example of patience when faced with suffering.  We are also not to swear. – (James 5:7-12). 

There are many lessons in James about prayer.  You are to pray when in trouble, call the elders of the church to pray over you when you are sick.  A prayer offered in faith will make you well.  Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so you may be healed.  The prayer of the righteous man is powerful and effective. – (James 5:13-18).  I think this is talking about spiritual weakness or a sick soul and spiritual healing not physical; however it isn’t limited to physical healing.  We can never limit God.  With God all things are possible.

We as Christians have the privilege to bring those back who have wandered from the faith.  If we turn a sinner from the error of his ways, it will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. – (James 5:19-20).  There are times when a Christian has been deceived by immoral friends or false teachers.  Maybe he has strayed from the truth in worship, doctrine or morals.  This could happen to any Christian.  We can have an impact on him by turning him back to God.  Then the person sees his sins and is restored.  He is forgiven by God.  These verses show God’s heart.  He will come after us when we wander away, because He loves us so much.

Prayer is a privilege and at great cost, the life of Jesus Christ and with that comes a great power.  Prayer will change your heart.

Principle:  Humbly surrendering to the Lord in prayer provides us with strength, hope and love for others.

How are you praying today for someone in trouble?

Who is in your path that is drowning?  Will you say, ‘I am here to help’?

Are you known as a person of prayer?

Wow! What a study of the Acts of the Apostles we’ve had this year with Acts, 1 &2 Peter, Hebrews, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 Corinthians and James.  We have an Unstoppable God!  Join me here in the fall when we will study the book of Genesis.  Until then join my posts throughout the summer.  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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