Week 12

Genuine Wisdom
Two Kinds of Wisdom
The Test of Humble Wisdom
Heavenly vs Demonic Wisdom

As we begin studying these verses together, I pray that your heart is open to whatever Words God will be speaking to you. I personally was extremely convicted. I cannot say that I have had a radical change in my tongue, but I know for certain that I am “thinking” about everything that I speak. The first step in any type of change is first acknowledging that there is sin in your heart. I want to encourage you to evaluate your words, and measure them against the characteristics of God’s wisdom. Let’s dig in!

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his
good life, by deed done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if
you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about
it or deny the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from heaven but is
earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16 For where you have envy and selfish
ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace- loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy, and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

13 Who - James is asking the question … Which one of you…WHO! Which one of you is truly skilled in the art of living?

is wise (sophos) spiritually wise, showing the character of God in your behavior). Whom among you have learned naturally from turning to God as you have gone through the trials in your life.

Wisdom – the kind that comes only from God. Being able to apply our understanding of our faith into practical living.

1 Cor 1:30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

God is the source of and the reason for our personal and living relationship with Christ. Because of that union with Christ, we have God’s wisdom and knowledge, possessing right standing with God (righteousness), being holy (holiness) and having the penalty of our sins paid by Jesus (redemption).

and understanding among you? Understanding means – having the mind of Christ thereby living our faith.

Let him show it (that Godly wisdom) …. HOW? by his good (godly character which is consistent with the WORD. Maintain, hold fast, not grow weary of doing good.

life, (from now on…….till you die. No turning back.

by deeds (doers, works, working at, becoming whole spiritually, mentally, and physically)

done in the humility (lowliness of mind) Humility means lacking vanity – regarding yourself as unimportant…no self importance, not putting the emphasis on yourself.

that comes from wisdom. James is making a contrast between the tongue of the wise believer and the tongue of the foolish believer.

If you want a GOOD LIFE you must being doing GOOD DEEDS.

14 But if (you have a choice)

you harbor - harbor means to shelter, to hide the feelings in your mind.

bitter –cynicism – faultfinding character

envy – harsh, resentful attitude towards others

and selfish ambition – care more about yourself than others. Your motives are to distinguish yourself above others.

Do not boast – talk/brag too much about something one has done. This could be about what one has (possessions), ones looks, how spiritually you are, how much you have accomplished, how mistreated you are…What you had to do because no one else would or could. Martyr mentality.

about it (your wisdom) or deny the truth. Refuse to acknowledge where that wisdom came from.

REPHRASED: Do you think I can say unkind, unnecessary remarks about people Monday through Friday and then come in here on Wednesday and lead a Bible Study?

Do you think you can do whatever you want to Mon-Saturday and then waltz into to church on Sunday praising the Lord?

We have one tongue and it can speak righteously or stir up strife. The Mon- Saturday mirror (don’t turn away from it) is more important to God than the Sunday mirror.

15 Such wisdom does not come down from heaven (is not what God wants)

but is earthly, - limited to flesh – disharmony, disagreement

unspiritual, - sensual – characteristic of human frailty. .an unredeemed spirit

of the devil. – demonic – generated by satanic forces (1 Cor 2:14) The devil wants your soul.

16 For where you have envy, and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

Envy – selfishness leads to disorder in your life. Confusion, instability, chaos results from human wisdom.

Disorder – undisciplined – lack of regular arrangement
Envy – desires to deprive another of what she has
Jealous – desires to have the same thing as someone else.

The confusion of the mind that we find in the world today is a confusion brought about by earthly wisdom, responding in the flesh.

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; (TRUTH from the WORD not mixed with anything, not combines with anything, undiluted and with original meaning)

then peace-loving, freedom from strife

considerate, - thoughtful to others and their feelings

submissive – yielding to power, control, authority of another; obedient; humble

full of mercy – kind feelings, sympathy, compassion for those in trouble

and good fruit – result of a good life. Fruit of your saving faith.

impartial – showing no more favor to one side than the other

sincere – free from pretense or deceit – genuine, real, honest.
(without hypocrisy).

18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

Peace – no external battles…no internal battles.

Peacemakers – one who brings harmony – not strife, not contentiousness, not hostile living.

Anxiety (uneasy thoughts or fears over the possibility of a coming misfortune; troubled, worried, or uneasy feeling) is often our first reaction to conflict, problems, or even our own fears.

Our best problem-solving resource is peace. Solutions arise easily and naturally out of a peaceful state. Often fear and anxiety block solutions.

Peace is available if we choose it. In spite of chaos and unsolved problems around us, all is well. Things will work out.

Relax. Your Father is perfect. Whatever happens is perfect. Why sweat it?

Today, let go of the need to stay in turmoil. Cultivate peace and trust that timely solutions (God’s timing) and God’s goodness will prevail.

Who sow in peace – sow means to scatter/spread the peace that you have that it will grow in others

Harvest means results – results in doing right (righteousness).

Righteousness flourishes in a climate of spiritual peace.

Matt 5:9

Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God.

Would you like to be called a son of God?

Romans 12:9-21

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the yes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

God gives us a choice: Choose between the two kinds of wisdom:

Harboring bitter envy and selfish ambition type worldly wisdom

or

Pure peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy godly wisdom.

Remember we are to be-

Gentle – such a person will submit to all kinds of mistreatment and difficulty with an attitude of kind, courteous, patience, and humility.

Willing to yield – someone who is teachable, compliant, obedient to God

Full of mercy – showing concern for those who suffer pain and hardship

Without partiality – a consistent unwavering person who is undivided in his commitment and conviction, and does not make unfair distinctions

Keep the following handy as a reminder of what true wisdom is:

Learn the Wisdom of God. True wisdom comes ONLY from God.

1. The wisdom of God is pure. It isn’t mixed with selfishness. It seeks the good of others.
2. The wisdom of God is peaceable. It doesn’t quarrel. It is willing to be insulted but doesn’t insult others.
3. The wisdom of God is gentle. It isn’t forceful. It listens to others and speaks at the right time.
4. The wisdom of God is merciful. It doesn’t pass by people in need. It reaches out to help wherever it can.
5. The wisdom of God treats everyone fairly. It doesn’t play favorites.
6. The wisdom of God is sincere. It doesn’t pretend to be something it is not.

One final thought -


Talking too much is dangerous!


I have nothing else to say!

j.

Week 10

Ladies:

If you are following along with this study and live close to Central Community Church, I want to encourage you to come on Wednesday night and join our small group. Nothing can replace the healing that takes place when hearts are shared. It is indescribable. If you do not have a place to go each week to grow in TRUTH and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, please come and join us. We would love for you to be there.

James 2: 14-26

Thank you Kelly for pinch hitting for me last week. It is comforting to know that you have me covered whenever I can’t make the meeting.

I will warn you up front ladies, verses 14-26 of James are straight-up convicting. These verses are point blank. This lesson is not about me pointing a finger or questioning anyone’s faith. It is not about making you feel guilty, but when we have completed this lesson, you will either leave here with the assurance that we are truly a born again Christian or we will leave here with major doubt about your salvation. What we have to make sure is that we get these truths in our hearts and begin today making them our life’s goal. The more I study James, the more painful this operation of cleaning out my insides becomes.

Should you be experiencing any doubt, now is the time to make a commitment to living your life for your Savior, Jesus Christ.

First of all I will be using the expression, a saving Faith in this teaching. This means believing that your faith in Jesus Christ is genuine (real) and it has saved you from spending eternity in Heaven. But in addition to that, your life (works) reflect equal evidence.


Title: Faith Without Works is DEAD

14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? (righteous behavior that conforms to God’s Word. A doer of the Word is works!

That verse explains the word and works confusion back in Chapter 1! The faith that saves you will produce works of faith.

What evidence so you have in your life that you possess this saving faith?

In verse 14 what does Profit means (ophelos) n. – advantage (to increase something that contributes to or increases one’s well being.

In other words; What is the advantage…what benefit will there be…if you say you have faith but you don’t have works. You say (profess) that you are a Christian but you aren’t doing anything to show that you are.

Can faith alone save you?

Gal 2:16 …knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might me justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

Paul says that the Works of the Law will not save you and that only faith in Christ will save you. (Romans 3:28) Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.

He is saying that only saving faith (genuine) will transform a person’s life.

Paul sounds contradictory to what James is saying, but if you read Gal 6:9, 10 you will see that Paul says, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Therefore, Paul and James agree that we are saved by faith, but works must follow. We are to be doers of the Word, not just hearers.

That is why we must pay special attention to

1 Cor 15:1-2 ..unless you have believed in vain.
That means: you may have an empty faith.

When I prayed the sinner’s pray in January 1989, I began going to church. But because of moves and more moving, I did not really connect with my saving faith until over six years later and then honestly I don’t think I truly understood my faith until I read the Bible from cover to cover two years ago. So that was many years of wondering whether or not I truly had a saving faith.


Gal 6:6-7 Let him that is taught in the Word share in all good (spiritually excellent things learned from the WORD) things with him who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

John Calvin said: Faith alone saves, but the faith that saves is not alone.

A saving faith is alive. An abandoned faith is dead!

How do you know then that you are saved? Romans 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Bottom line: We cannot have our own way and still have a saving faith.

A woman who says she is a Christian doesn’t do as she pleases, she does as Christ pleases for her life.

Scripture teaches that salvation is not based on works but is a free gift, but it also teaches that God’s judgment is always on the basis of a man’s deeds!

Jeremiah 17:10 I the Lord search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.

John 5:28-29 Do not marvel at this for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. CHOICE – doer of good, doer of evil.

The works (deeds) of a saved man are not the basis of their salvation but the evidence of it.

What are the signs of a woman with a saving faith? John 13:34, 35 A new commandment I give to you that you love one another as I have loved you so you must love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

Emphasis – Love one another.

You know I am peeling back the onion when I say that I have been too afraid (fear) of getting hurt by someone and protecting myself from hurt that I won’t love. But what I am doing is hurting others because of that wall I have created.

15 If a brother or sister is naked (undergarments only) and destitute (lacking, wanting) of daily food and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace (goodbye. Get out of here) be warmed (hope you stay warm), and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?

We often say, “Let me know if I can do anything to help!” Or “call me and I’ll be right over”, or “I’ll pray for you”, as casual remarks hoping they really won’t call for help.

We really don’t want them to say they’ll take our help, do we. Because when they do we gripe about it and tell everybody how over extended we are because of all the needy people in our lives.

Or how often do we have an opportunity to help someone but don’t for fear (we have all kinds of fear) of the unknown, or it is just easier for someone else to do it.

17 Thus (so) also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (if you are not doing the Word, you are not genuinely saved and you are spiritually dead.

2 Pet 1:5-8 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (You will bear fruit…action…doer)

18 But someone will say, “you have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works!

If you truly have faith, it will be evident by your works.

19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble. (phrisso – shudder…cognizance of their appointed doom!

Do we tremble in reverence for God, Jesus our Savior?

20 But do you want to know, O foolish (you don’t understand) man, that faith without works is dead (the actual spiritual condition of an unsaved man).

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?

22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?

Abraham’s offering of Isaac demonstrated the genuineness of his faith and thereby was justified (righteous…to be right before God)

Salvation is determined by faith alone (Eph 2:8, 9) and demonstrated by faithfulness to obey God’s will alone (Eph 2:10)

A fruit tree shows itself to be certain kind of tree by the fruit it produces.

True faith is demonstrated by the righteous (your obedience) life.

23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says (Gen 15:6) “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

Romans 4:1-5
And he was called the friend of God (because of his obedience)

2 Chron 20:7 Isaiah 41:8

24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?

Joshua 2:11

She showed her faith by her works. She jeopardized her own life by turning her back on her old life and on her own people. She said, “I am going to do something”, and that is exactly what we need to say. She believed God, so she got involved.

She got involved. We don’t like to get involved. It is too complicated. I’ll get hurt and … it is just too complicated. But James says, the more we say and the less we do is indicative of our saving faith.

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, (the lost are dead), so faith without works is dead.

Rotten roots means rotten fruit.

GOOD NEWS: Phil 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

GOT TO PRESS!

Week 9

Joanie likes to say, “The teacher needs the lesson more than the student!” I guess this is why I get the next two weeks of James!

Let’s read James 2:1-13. (I would like to encourage you to write out each lesson’s verses, you’d be amazed how some things pop out at you when you read it in your own handwriting.)

Take a look at James 2:1: My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with {an attitude of} personal favoritism. (NAS)

My brethren, refers to all believers. We’ve seen that one before.

do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ

The word “hold” popped out at me. It means to consider, account. Are you thinking about your faith in the Lord Jesus and comparing it to another’s faith?

MH’s commentary says, “Christ’s being the Lord of glory should teach us not to respect Christians for any thing so much as their relation and conformity to Christ…In professing the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, we should not show respect to men, so as to cloud or lessen the glory of our glorious Lord:”

with {an attitude of} personal favoritism.

Favoritism: made accepted, similar to grace, but has nothing to do with grace. Favor is deserved or gained, grace is a free gift. If it’s personal favoritism, we’re using a standard of measure that may be out of kilter—our own. If we compare our faith to Mother Theresa, we consider her a faith giant. If we compare it to Brittney Spears, we feel oh so superior. Leviticus 19:15

Let’s read Luke 15:1-2. Who did Jesus hang with? Who needed to hear from Him? Who was grumbling?

Matthew 5:45-48 Let’s start with how we treat our fellow Christians. Did you know that the church is the most segregated place in the world on Sunday? Why is that?

What about all those denominations? Why do I feel uncomfortable walking into a cathedral for mass? Am I a religion snob? If they all agree that Jesus is the Lord of Glory, why do I not associate with very many Catholics?

Let’s read on: James 2:2 For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes,

For if a man comes into your assembly

Assembly-that doesn’t necessarily mean church. It does not specify worship. One commentary mentions a church business meeting such as income reporting, votes, discussion, judgment.

with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes

This denotes a rich man. A gold ring usually meant a signet ring—signing power for his family if you will. If you do a word study on gold ring and fine robes, you might also land on the following scripture: Luke 15:22, Genesis 41:42, Luke 23:11

and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes,

This normally describes the poor man. Someone just come in from the fields—directly from work maybe.

What about the rich and poor in spirit?
Do we look down on those who are not saved?
What about those in charge at the church, do we hold them in higher esteem than the ones who clean the kitchen or wipe the noses of our kids in Sunday school?
Why don’t we treat everyone special?

“It is not great men, nor worldly wealth, nor corrupt practices among professors themselves that must guide us, but the scriptures of truth.” Matthew Henry Commentary

and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, "You sit here in a good place," and you say to the poor man, "You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,"

Footstool-under foot, a very low position. Matt 22:44 Reserved for enemies. ouch.

have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives?

Why so pious, oh my soul? We are guilty of partiality (a divided mind) as between the two strangers.

Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world {to be} rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?

Luke 6:20

There is also the counter-productivity of such conspicuous partiality. As a matter of fact, the poor visitor at church is a hundred times more likely to become a Christian than the wealthy visitor; and it is a sin against the growth of the church to exhibit the kind of partiality that would tend to discourage the poor. - Coffman Commentaries

But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court?

The Sadducees were big time oppressors of the poor. The Romans would look for anything to arrest a Christian.

Drag-- implies force, just one more excuse to drag a Christian into court to be persecuted.

Court-both the Jewish and Roman courts.

Do they not blaspheme the fair name by which you have been called?

Literally “which was called upon you”, the name in which you were baptized. The Gentiles and Jews blasphemed Christ’s name frequently.

If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF," you are doing well.

Impossible to think that the “royal law” was Moses’ 10 commandments—because Moses was never a king. That’s why royal law is Jesus’ law: love the lord with all your heart, mind and soul and love your neighbor as yourself.

Are we loving our neighbor as ourselves? Who is your neighbor?

Luke 10:27-38
Matthew 5:46-48

It is easy to like someone who likes you. But to like someone who doesn’t know you, even someone who doesn’t like you...That takes strength only God can supply!

But if you show partiality, you are committing sin {and} are convicted by the law as transgressors.

Are you loving your neighbor if you show partiality to another?

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one {point,} he has become guilty of all.

"Transgression of one precept of the Christian rule of faith is a breach of the whole, because it breaks fellowship with the object of faith." - Coffman Commentaries

Foye added, “God does not allow selective obedience.”

For He who said, "DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY," also said, "DO NOT COMMIT MURDER." Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.

Snubbing the poor is equal in Christ’s eyes as murder. This is serious stuff. No more can we hold up a gauge and say, “At least I’m not as sinful as that other guy!”

All during this lesson I had a crystal goblet of water sitting on the table. There was a question on how does breaking one law break them all. I took a dropper and said, "If I were to take a drop of water from the toilet and let it fall into this goblet, it would ruin the whole glass full of water, right? So it is when we sin, when we break the royal law, we break fellowship with God. Breaking one of God's laws is like breaking them all, we're tainted. We must confess and ask to be washed clean again, or that chasm will remain between us and God. We need a Savior so badly!"

Another question came up about how we'll be asking forgiveness every day, all day...how long will God put up with that? Our Heavenly Father is patient, he'll keep forgiving as long as we keep asking. And Jesus is there to intercede on our behalf!

So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by {the} law of liberty.

The teachings of the Son of God are characterized by freedom. What a freedom we have! I'd rather be under God's law than under the slavery of sin. It's like the birds of the air--they have to obey the law of gravity, but they fly using that law. Why can't we fly spiritually? Our sin of favoritism keeps us grounded!

For judgment is without mercy to him that hath showed no mercy: mercy glorieth against judgment.

Matthew 6:14, Matthew 5:7

Mercy stands higher than the law as the guiding principle of God's relationship with men.

Micah 7:18, Romans 12:8

The one who is harsh and short with his neighbor, or else does not help him, he shall find God a hard and rough judge to him.

But the mercy of God in Christ towards us should produce mercy towards others, making us victors over discrimination and judgment. We don’t deserve this grace, so why not be a vessel of His mercy?

What did Jesus pray for? John 17:15-21

Can you think of someone who is very difficult to be around? What if you were to make that person your homework for this week? Try and see them as Jesus sees them. Try to see the hurt and frustration in their lives. See if you can lighten their load a bit this week.

In Christ,
Kelly

Week 8

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Doer means your entire personality should be of impeccable godly character.

Don’t just do something, following a bunch of rules…no it is your entire personality must be totally one-sided with no outside worldly influence.

Deceiving yourselves – mental straying, error in morals. Miscalculation. You who are content with only hearing the Word have made serious miscalculations.

Instead: Set yourself apart with the Word of Truth –Psalm 4:3

Greek word for doer – means performer

We must not only receive the word, but we have to obey it. You must have a deep desire to hear God speaking to you and an unquestionable willingness to do whatever He says.

The Bible must be translated into action. Every time you go to Scripture you are asking God to change you to become more like HIM.

If you profess to be a believer, your likeness to Jesus Christ should be increasing every day.

John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As you sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

Set apart to be used by God. That’s you my friend. REJOICE!

23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word – hearer (akroates) – one who hears but quickly forgets what he has heard. Your knowledge of the Bible does not lead to change.

Believers who hear the Word of God must receive it with a teachable spirit, applying it to their everyday lives. To hear and not obey is to be deceived.

It is easy to read the Bible casually or because of a sense of duty without being effected by what we have read.

and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;

observing means to look carefully, not casually.

Natural face means how God made you…the face of your birth. Outer appearance. Going your own way.

A mirror reflects the perfect image of you. It shows every wrinkle, every blemish. The Word of God will do the same. It reveals or brings forth who you really are.

If you looked into the mirror and you had dirt (filth) on your face, you would wash your face immediately. You fix the problem.

When you see a flaw (sin) when you compare yourself to God’s Word, do you fix it or overlook it? The Word of God is a mirror that reveals what is wrong with you. Our sin.

Vs 24 for he observes (looks carefully) himself, goes away…(turns his back to) and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. (Your sinful nature is going to be revealed when you look carefully at yourself against the Word of God.

What will you do? Go away…turn your back? Say it is too hard to change?

Did you know that the Bible is the only book that has sold more copies than any other book, but it is the only book that is bought but seldom read.

Why is that? People want to be religious, but they don’t want to change.

Why are churches empty? Why don’t sinners want to go to church? Perhaps it is because the light of truth is blinding to those choosing to live in darkness.

Ever wonder why roaches scatter when the light is turned on? They are filth loving creatures and they prefer to remain in the dark. They are discovered when the light comes on.

Ever thought of yourself as a roach? I haven’t until this teaching.

This is saying that we cannot look casually at ourselves when we are comparing ourselves to the Word. We need to look carefully. God will not be mocked and we should not gamble with His mercy and grace.

Why do we make excuses not to study? Are we really too busy or are we afraid that the Word might reveal some of the fifth that we allow to remain in our lives.

Here again, God gives us a choice. Either choose to fix our flaws or turn our back to them and think that they have gone away.

Vs 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty (freedom in Christ) and continues in it,

In contrast to verse 24, we have to be the believer who looks into the word of God and practices it in his life. As you obey it, you find true freedom from your old human nature and your human thinking. WHO NEEDS THAT MESS. It never got us anywhere ever.

The perfect law of liberty is the law of love. Loving God and loving one’s neighbor sums up the Law (see Matt 26:36-40). But Christ’s love (Eph 3:17-19) frees us from our sins so we can truly love others (John 8:36-38); Gal 5:13).

What’s that mean? The Truth is the only thing that will set you free. We can have genuine freedom from sin. The Holy Spirit is in us and He will help us to change.

And is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed, in what he does. (remember what blessed meant? Receive gift/eternal rewards from God).

You don’t forget what you have read, rather you seek to live it out in daily practice. Your obedience brings blessings to your soul.

26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceived his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.

First of all, we must know that Christianity is not a religion, it is a person and that person is Jesus Christ. That is your faith, not your religion.

People often asked the question, “What religion are you”? I usually answer, Christian. They look at me funny. I don’t know if that is the correct answer anymore. I will never be a part of a denomination because I believe denominations are not Biblical but have only caused barriers or dissention between Christians.

Verse 26 is very interesting. Because to the world, being religious is a good thing. Webster’s dictionary says: the service and worship of God...commitment to your God (faith).

Religious to the world means works. Singing in the choir, attending church on Sunday by obligation.

Religious in Latin meant that emphasis is put on external trappings, rituals, routines, formalities that were not followed sincerely.

Emphasis needs to be on internal godliness.

What we appear to be in the mirror, rather than what we really are inside is what we need to carefully observe.

Bridle is a metaphor which means to control or keep a tight reign on. Chalinagogeo – to lead, to hold in check, restrain…head gear used to control a horse.

Purity of heart is often revealed by speech (Matthew 12:36)

Tongue – an organ of speech Look up Job 5:21, Ps 34:13, Pro 10:31, Pro 15:4, Pro 21:23, James 3:5, 3:6, 3:8

But what part of every person’s body will be tamed when judgment day comes? Phil 2:10,11

That at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

27 Pure and undefiled religion God wants us pure and undefiled. Pure means unmixed substance – free from contaminants! Confess Him today as your Lord, and mean it!

before God and the Father is this: to visit (comes from the Greek word usually translated bishop, a person who oversees people. (1 Tim 3:1) orphans and widows (were among the most needy classes in ancient societies) in their trouble,

Orphans and widows are those who cannot reciprocate in any way. Caring for them clearly demonstrates true, sacrificial Christian love. Simple outward practical actions are found in acts of grace and a walk that is totally opposite of the world.

and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. (pure and undefiled)

We are to keep ourselves unspotted, free from the evil condition of the world, without moral blemish, and free from all defilement in the sight of God.

Are you ready to stop following your own desires and start following His Word? I am. Commit to spending more time listening for His voice and get ready for Him to change you from filth to purity.

We are not going to get it right … right away. And don’t beat yourself up because you can’t seem to get it right. His mercies are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness. Can I be honest? I am the teacher, and I just lost my peace. I was not slow to anger, was very quick to speak and I was not listening for God to guide me through this parenting explosion.

Now you know why I am the teacher. The teacher needs the message the most.

This is one powerful book.

j

Week 7

Let’s start this lesson by backing up to read verse 18: Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of His creatures. NJK

Remember back to last week what conception meant?

Vs 15 Conception – the joining or union of two

And what is the conception of sin? Sin – the desire of your old nature + temptation. Temptation alone is not sin.

Opposite of sin is: Sinless…doing the Father’s will

Conception of will – The Father wills that all will be saved ..that no one should perish

Mathew 18:14 It is not the will of your Father who is in Heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

HIS WILL + YOUR WILL = a new birth

We are responsible for our choices, not God, not the enemy, not other people. We are.

Believing the Word … and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

When you are willing to come (your will) when you believe the Word of God and accept Jesus Christ as your Savior…that’s your new birth.

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth, so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 1 Peter 1:22, 23

God chose to give you birth, but you had to choose God.

There must be that union. You + God = New Creation

Or

Your sin nature + temptation = sin

Your choice!

Verses 19-27 gives us practical (“possible” to practice) instructions as to how we can be firstfruits of His Creation, choosing God’s way and not sin. Our character should reflect God’s character because we are born again by the Word of Truth.

Who is the Word of Truth? And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. 1 John 1:1

Let’s discuss these practical instructions that God’s Word teaches us. Want to be more Christ-like? Build Godly character? Follow along! But always remember to study God’s word in anticipation of what He is about to change in your life. READY?

19 So then my beloved brethren, (those of you who believe in Jesus as the Messiah)

let every man be swift (tachus) – speedy, quickness, to respond

to hear (to listen to, to be alert)

Hear what? The Word. You see, the Creator of the Universe wants to talk to you through the Holy Spirit that is in you. Did you know that you can read the Bible without every letting it speak to you? Hmmmm

Be ready to hear the Word of God. We have to be teachable by the Holy Spirit.

1 Kings 19:11, 12 …in a still, small voice. He is not going to yell to get our attention. We need to be alert and quiet. When you are talking all the time, you can’t hear. When you are being bombarded by the world’s loud voice, you cannot hear the still, small voice.

Be swift to hear. We are not listening. Why? Because we are listening to the world.

slow to speak (pseudologos) *Is being too talkative a sin? Perhaps if you talked less, we would listen more!

"slow" means cautious – take care what you say. Less talk, more listening. Guard your conversations.

Ref: Prov 10:19

"speak" – to utter words. Believers are to eagerly pursue every opportunity to know God’s word before you speak/teach/preach.

Psalm 119:11 – Your word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee.

It is you that must make it your own personal relationship.

Remember, it is not my responsibility to make you holy or happy. Only you can do that. It is crucial for you to study the Word for yourself and not just take everything I say as the inerrant Word. I error, not intentionally, and I commit to teaching what I feel God has taught me. But I am human and I will not always be “right on” target. I am learning too.

You might have heard this as a joke, but God gave you two ears and one mouth so that you would listen to Him twice as much as you talk to Him! (asking for things)!

slow to wrath - greek meaning (deep internal resentment and rejection of God’s word.

That’s interesting.

So what is wrong with anger? Refer to these verses: Matt 5:21-24, 38-48, 6:14-15, 7:1-5

20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God

Wrath – anger never produces righteousness. There is no place in righteous (a godly character) living for an angry spirit.

Righteousness – faithfulness – believers are brought into a right relationship with God. This righteousness is unattainable by obedience to any law, any merit by man…only faith in Christ. The man who trusts in Christ becomes “the righteousness” of God in Him.

What kinds of things make God angry? Proverbs 6:16-19, Exo 4:1-17, 32:7-14 Deut 1:26-36, Zech 1:2-4, Mark 3:1-6

Our anger should be the same as God’s anger.

2 Cor 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

21 Therefore, lay aside – apotithemi – to put off from oneself – every weight

all filthiness – rhuparia – dirt, filth – moral defilement (impure – to render unholy, unclean) , filthiness of the flesh, wrong behavior – spiritual, mental, and physical

and overflow of wickedness – evil, morally bad, naughtiness, malice

original meaning – ear wax – anything that impedes the believer’s spiritual hearing!

Overflow means – too much, surplus, abundance

and receive with meekness – condition of the mind and heart, humble

You must have a meek, humble, teachable spirit

Titus 3:2 Christians are charged to show “all meekness” toward all men for meekness becomes God’s elect – Col 3:2

Meekness: inwrought (embroidered in the soul) grace of the soul. Gentle, submissive, enduring injury with patience and without resentment – mild.

3rd beatitude – Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.

Meekness is the opposite of being out of control. It is not weakness, but supreme self-control empowered by the Spirit.

Psalm 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

the implanted (emphutos) word which is able to save your soul. – rooted – the word of God is the rooted word – it should root itself in our hearts.

The implanted Word is able to save your soul. It saves you from eternity in hell and hell on earth.

{Hi this is Kelly. We stopped the study here because it was late, we will continue with James 1:22-27 this week. Stay tuned!}

Week 6

Praying God’s Word:

Father, you have given us your Truths so we can live freely and without sin, but often times we make the wrong choice, and choose to give into our flesh. We ask that this lesson will penetrate into our innermost being and that we will live victoriously and free of sin after receiving these truths. We ask for forgiveness Lord, that there is no willful sin in our lives. We need your strength to break the bad habits we have allowed into our lives. Open us totally, body, soul and spirit, to receive your living Word. We pray these things through your Son, Jesus…Amen.

I am so thankful for the book of James. I was talking with my sister about how relevant this book is to us today. It seems almost impossible not to believe the Bible was written by God. It doesn’t matter if it was written 2000 years ago, it is just as alive to us today as it was to the Christian Jews.

There’s some amazing teaching in these verses, so let’s get started!

Lesson 6 – vs 13- 18

The book of James teaches a practical faith…being a doer of the Word and not just a hearer. But practical faith does not just happen. It must be rooted in true belief. The Word of God has to penetrate our innermost being. Trials are going to come. And this lesson will teach you that during those trials will also come tests and temptations. Some of those temptations will come from within us and some will come from outside of us. Neither are from God, although God does allow them.

The only way we will be prepared when the trials, tests, and temptations come is to be steadfast in God’s Word, not doubting our faith, but single mindedly following God. We know these trials are there to mature us.

What are the two choices that we have when trials come?

We can choose godly wisdom and to seek Truth in His Word or we can choose to act in the flesh. We always have two choices: Righteousness or sin.

Consequently from whichever one we choose, the lost will either see a reflection of Jesus or they will see a reflection of themselves.

Trials are from God. Temptations are allowed by God, but are not directly from God.

Verses 13-18 is entitled: Refer back to 1st outline

True faith does not attribute evil to God

Handout 2nd outline with the same division of paragraphs (sorry online readers…contact rosieskye@hotmail.com for this list.)

The Test of Blame in Temptation

When temptations come, and they will come…who do we blame? We will see by studying these verses that God will never lead a person to commit sin because that would go against His nature. God’s purposes during these trials are to mold us into His image so that the lost will see Jesus in us.

Please know that temptation itself is not a sin, for even Jesus was tempted by Satan. God allowed Satan tempt Jesus in the desert.

Matthew 4:7…Jesus said to him (Satan), “It is written again, “You shall not tempt the Lord your God.” Jesus quotes Scripture to overcome Satan’s temptations. Interesting to note that God was even testing his Son! It was to demonstrate what we are to do when it happens to us.

Jesus had no sin in him, therefore could not sin. Why was Jesus tested then? To show us that he had no sin in him. How did Jesus handle this temptation? He quoted Scripture. He knew how to handle Satan’s temptations.

Satan came to tempt Jesus’ human side, physical, mental, and spiritual side…just as he does us, but we are to copy Jesus’ example by guarding ourselves with the TRUTH. That is why it is so important to imitate Jesus’ example and not the worlds.

Jesus could not fall, so the testing was given to demonstrate that He could not fall. If He would have fallen into temptation, He would not be God and everything you believe would be a joke! The minute He yielded to sin, we would have no Savior.

Think about the prayer, The Our Father. Luke 11:1-13

Our Father, who are in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Now we know that we need to be in constant prayer that we too can demonstrate the power not to fall into temptation.

There’s a lot to grasp here….so let’s dive in!

Vs 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; (Let no one say when he is going through a trial, “Why is God putting me through this trial?”

We remember that the word Let meant: to neither forbid nor prevent. God gives us a choice. Keep that truth in mind as we continue the verse.

…no one say when (trials are going to happen) he is tempted: verb; greek- peirazo (to test, try, prove… The word peirzo means holy trials or holy temptations that come from God to us to see what we will do. Will we be in communion (be as one with God) (harmony, agreement, spiritual oneness, constant rapport) finding an even keel JOY, or will we revert back to fleshly responses.

“I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil,

The testing is permitted by God, in order to make us realize that we are helpless sheep in need of a Savior and our dependence needs to be totally on God.

Trials are sent to draw out our grace not our sinful nature.

Are you confused? Hang on! It seems contradictory because we are familiar with the following

God led Israel into the wilderness to test the people’s faith (Exodus 20:20) and God also tested Abraham’s faith by commanding him to sacrifice his son (Genesis 22:1)

Hebrews 11:17
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son.

Is that contradiction of Scripture?

It sounds like doubletalk but God permits (Let – neither forbid or prevent) us to experience trials and within that trial He allows temptation to occur. I believe they can come from two different places.

1. within our own hearts/souls
2. outside our temple from the enemy who is ready to devour us at any weakness to our armor. Eph 6:13. We will discuss this further in verse 14

But the good news is, God has promised not to allow more temptations to come our way than we can endure and never without a way to escape (1Cor 10:13).

That is so comforting.

But again, God gives us a choice.

Luke 11:4 believers are commanded to pray not to be led into such forces beyond their control!

Luke 22:40 watch and pray against entering into “temptations” by their own carelessness or disobedience – yet God provides “the way of escape.”

We can choose to walk through the trial with God or give in to the ways of the world. (2 Sam 24:1). We can choose to resist our fleshly temptations and the temptations of the enemy or we can give in to them.

1:14 But each one is tempted – this tempted means temptation either within us or outside of us through Satan.

James says we can have temptation that come from our own uncontrolled appetites for evil passions! Mark 7:20-23

The devil is called the tempter, but we will see that the devil is not always the one to blame for these temptations. The true origin of evil is in our own hearts.

when he is drawn away –

The Greek word exelko (draw away or lure forth) used metaphorically meaning being drawn away (lured by lust) of the world…to come near to what the world lures you into believing is right.

As in hunting or fishing, the game is lured from its haunt (the place where they live) into the trap (sin)!

So man’s lust “allures” him from the safety of the loving arms of his Savior and into the sin trap.

Then when we fall, we begin the blame game.

Eve blamed the serpent. Adam blamed Eve. “The woman you gave me tempted me. And then Adam blamed God for giving him the woman (temptress). We know that over history women have been blamed for tempted men. But God Word says, “You have a choice”. The only one whom you can blame is yourself!”

Think this through. We must be constantly aware of what the world is luring us into believing. We have to make the decision to stop blaming everyone else and use the Word of God to stop us from repeating the same stupid godless mistakes.

It is like a wild animal being lured into a trap. Just as an animal can be drawn to their deaths by attractive baits, temptation promises people something good, which is actually harmful.

by His own desires: this refers to lust, the strong desire of the human soul to enjoy or acquire something to fulfill the flesh. Lust means: passion, strong desires, bodily appetite, fleshly desire, crave, desire intensely, seek sexually

Man’s fallen nature has the propensity to strongly desire whatever sin will satisfy it (Rom 7:8-25). “His own” describes the individual nature of lust.

We can look at our own self and know that our lusts are different from the person sitting next to us. Many things can influence these desires. Inherited tendencies (lifestyles), environment for which you are living, upbringing, and personal choices. These desires are the direct agent or cause of one’s sinning. (Matt 15:18-20). It is here that we have to recognize our lusts and begin to rid ourselves of them.

We cannot be lured by false teachers if we are strong in the Word. False teachers prey on the weak, the unstable, and the young in the faith. Eph 4:14.

and Enticed – deleazo (to lure by a bait) metaphorically to mean of the enticement of lust (2 Pet 2:14) of seducers, (synonyms – beguiling, allure, induced, tempted, persuaded to give in to)
Antonyms are: repel, run from, flee

(2 Cor 11:13) Just as Eve was beguiled by Satan …beguiled means: lead astray, deceived, ensnared, lured, tricked

Enticed – a fishing term that means “to capture” or to catch with bait. It means the same thing as drawn away.

1:15 Then, when desire has conceived, - Sin is not merely a spontaneous act, and it doesn’t just happen…It has a beginning…it has a cause/roots…it comes from somewhere. The Greek words for “has conceived” and “brings forth” are compared to physical conception and birth.

Conception is the joining of two to make one union. The desire of our old nature joins with the outward temptation that faces us and then this becomes sin!

Remember, temptation alone is not sin. It is when the desires of our old nature yield to that temptation and give in. THEN…

it gives birth to sin;

and sin; when it is full-grown,

What is the only form of birth–control that we need to take from sin? What is the only thing that can stop sin from originally being conceived and consequently being born at a later time?

TRUTH found only in the Word of God!

We have to stop rationalizing sin. We rationalize by blaming our past, our current situation, our genes, our husbands, our children, our church. But the Bible calls it sin and the Bible says we are to blame.

What are some of the ways sin can originally be conceived? The things that God hates perhaps?

Brace yourself! Proverbs 6:12-19

12 A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth; 13 He winks with his eyes, He shuffles his feet, He points with his fingers; 14 Perversity is in his heart, He devises evil continually, He sows discord 15 Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly; Suddenly he shall be broken with remedy. 16 These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him; 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.

brings forth death.

3 kinds of death
a. physical
b. spiritual death – the condition of the lost many dead to trespasses and sin (Eph 2:1)
c. eternal death – the fate of man who dies an unbeliever

sin brings forth death means “separation” from God.

Remember James is talking to the Jewish Christian. For a believer, it means that when sin is born in his life, when it becomes an action, his fellowship with God is broken.

1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not tell the truth.

You cannot have fellowship with Him and permit sin continually to happen in your life.

Temptation cannot be conceived until it is joined with the desire of your evil nature. If it is joined, it will bring forth sin, and sin brings for death (separation from God).

1:16 do not be deceived Greek planao (led into error or sin, led astray, to wander or roam about, be lured or seduced into…same word is used as a title for the devil, the deceiver, the slanderer or false accuser. Satan means adversary, enemy, antagonist contending against God for your soul!

James is saying, “Don’t do it!” Don’t even set yourself up to fall. And don’t think you can get by with your sinning either.

Christian should not blame God for God gives them freewill to act whichever way they choose. The Christian can only blame themselves for the sins for which they commit.

17 and 18 switch to our rewards for obedience…just like the end of 8-12’s crown of life. Awesome!

1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above.

This goes back to the reward or the crown of life for which we will receive if we can be obedient.

Gift (greek dorema) translated boon, meaning the thing given, the act of giving.

Every – means all the time, continuous, unceasing, perpetual … God above from Heaven gives to us continuously if we resist temptation and are obedient like His son Jesus.

And comes down (descends) from the Father of Lights – ancient Jewish expression for God as the Creator, with “lights” referring to the sun, moon, and stars.

Jesus is the “light” of the world.

From whom there is no variation (without partiality) or shadow of turning.

From man’s perspective, the celestial bodies have different phases of movement and rotation, change from day to night, and vary in intensity and shadow. But God does not follow that pattern-He is changeless.

18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

will – Greek - thelema – fulfilling what is good and perfect

brought (apokueo) us – to beget, bring forth – the divine act of rebirth (born-again)

word of truth – scripture or the word of God. He regenerates sinners through the power of His Word. (Col 1:5)

that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.

OT expression referring to the first and best harvest crops, which God expected as an offering. Giving God that initial crop was an act of faith that He would fulfill His promise of a full harvest to come (Proverbs 3:9,10).

Each year in Israel, the first sheaf of harvested grain (the firstfruits) was offered to God as a sign that everything they had belonged to Him. The firstfruits were their first in quality…not their damaged grain.

1 Peter 1:22-24 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, ...

I feel so unworthy to be His firstfruits; He thinks of me as His top quality!

It makes me want to stop the twistedness of my thinking and start living up to His definition of me! He thinks so much better of me than I think of myself. It is time that I live in obedience to His will not mine; to His opinion of me, not mine; and for Him ONLY, not for me.

Let’s pray:

Father, You are Whom I want to honor in my everyday living. I want to be alive for You. My desire is that my heart be made aware of how I blame everyone else other than myself for my life’s trials. You have shown me through Your Word that I have a choice as to rejecting the temptations that come my way through Your strength, or I can repeat my human reactions and continue repeating the same sins over and over and over.