March 31, 2008
Good morning! I hope that this study in James has been encouraging for you. Instead of moving ahead, I believe that it would be very profitable to go back over chapters 1-3 this week. I don't want us to lose sight of the entire message that God is communicating to us. So, go through the last 3 chapters and meditate on what God has taught you so far and how it has changed you from the inside out. Remember, you are meeting with God Himself and He is meeting with you!
Enjoy your time with God today and don't forget to share what you are learning with others. It may be just what they needed to hear! We will begin chapter 4 next week.
.
As you read today's passage, look for these words or phrases: jealousy, selfish ambition, wisdom, gentleness, mercy, and fruit.
Passage for the day: James 3:16-18 (NASB)
16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Questions for thought: Take a few moments to answer these questions before you go on to the next section.
What does jealousy and selfish ambition lead to according to verse 16?
What does true wisdom from above look like according to verse 17?
How is the wisdom in verse 17 contrasted with the wisdom of verse 15? You can notice a progression in this verse. Meditate on each characteristic and evaluate whether your life demonstrates this kind of wisdom (pure, peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy).
Explain the picture given in verse 18. How is the seed planted? Who are the ones who plant it?
CHEW ON THIS:
James picks up right where he left off in this passage. Envy and selfish ambition are seen as the “secret agents” behind evil and disorder in the church. It is no wonder since this kind of attitude comes from a wisdom that finds its source in hell itself! But is this situation any wonder? Envy and selfish ambition will destroy our church if we do not take action. The way we do this is to live out the wisdom of God! James shows us in this passage exactly what wisdom from above will look like: pure, peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. This wisdom is, first of all, pure. The pure religion of James 1:27 has this wisdom as the source of its purity. This pure, divine wisdom leads to the second dimension as peaceable or “peace-loving.” This fruit of wisdom which counteracts the disorder caused by envy— reminds us of the blessing of those who are the peacemakers, which Jesus taught us in Matthew 5:9. Those who make peace are committed to the unity of the body of Christ, and not seeking to divide or break up the fellowship we have with one another. In other words, peacemakers are unity-protectors! In this progression, the next fruit of God’s wisdom is quality of gentleness or the act of being “considerate.” This wisdom, when applied, is seen in Proverbs 15:1 – “A gentle answer turns away wrath.” We also see this same exhortation in Titus 3:2. The gentleness of Jesus Christ is the greatest example, especially as He hung from the cross, forgiving those who sought to kill Him. Along with gentleness comes reasonableness, or a willingness to yield or submit. This reveals a teachable and humble spirit. Beyond that, James tells us that this divine wisdom is linked to the virtue of fruit-bearing faith. When we are living this way, our lives will produce a harvest of mercy and good fruit. Mercy forgives others and does not hold sins against them – when it is not deserved. Mercy is also to act generously to others – especially those in need. James then builds upon this good fruit by telling us that divine wisdom will result in a life that is unwavering and genuine. This means that we are people of integrity whose actions match our words.
James ends this chapter by telling us that the ones who have this kind of wisdom from God are called “peacemakers.” Peacemakers act like a sower who sows the seed of peace. Like God, who sows the seed of the living Word (cf. Matt 13:19), believers are to sow peaceable deeds that will produce a harvest of righteousness. These acts that make for peace are the deeds of mercy, as we show genuine love for one another.
How will you live out these truths this week? Will you be someone who is filled with the wisdom of God? If you are, then it will be evidenced in your genuine actions of peace, gentleness, and mercy toward others!
For His Name,
Pastor Stephen
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
James 3:13-15
March 28, 2008
As you read today's passage, look for these words or phrases: wise, gentleness, jealousy, and selfish ambition.
Passage for the day: James 3:13-15 (NASB)
13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.
15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.
Questions for thought: Take a few moments to answer these questions before you go on to the next section.
What is the difference between “understanding” and “wisdom?” See Proverbs 9:10 for help on this one.
What does James mean by “gentleness of wisdom?” Give a practical example.
What is bitter jealousy and selfish ambition? What are you jealous about and why? Is that true wisdom with gentleness? If not, what steps do you need to take to change?
Why do you think that James describes earthly wisdom as demonic in verse 15?
CHEW ON THIS:
In these verses, James introduces us to true wisdom. Those who are truly wise and have knowledge according to God’s standards will prove it by attitudes and good actions. So what is understanding and wisdom? Understanding comes from getting to know God and seeing His wisdom in action. Understanding knows where to how to get wisdom and why wisdom is worth getting. Wisdom takes that knowledge of God and applies it in everyday life. Wisdom knows what is good and knows how to do the good, as a result of knowing God. Wisdom then concerns the conduct of one’s life. Wisdom from God gives birth to deeds and a way of life that grows in understanding.
However, there is another kind of wisdom – the kind that is found here on earth. The character of this kind of wisdom is bitter envy and selfish ambition. It is also seen as earthly, natural, and demonic! Wow. James is really going for shock value in these verses! He does not want us to miss the comparison. Any wisdom that does not come from God is not worth getting. It is Satanic and will result in a life of jealousy and selfishness. This is in complete contrast to the wisdom God gives, which results in a life that is characterized by gentleness and humility. We see this lived out even in the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve sinned. They listened to Satan’s so-called “words of wisdom” and it resulted in selfish ambition – not a life of humble submission and obedience to God’s words of wisdom. The words from Proverbs 14:12 characterizes this “wisdom” as well as any in the Bible: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”
So where are getting your wisdom to live your life? Don’t buy into the lie that the world’s wisdom has all of the answers! Only the wisdom of God will give you what you need – and it can only be acquired by getting to know Him. Let's be committed to knowing God and then humbly obeying Him with our actions and attitudes.
For His Name,
Pastor Stephen
As you read today's passage, look for these words or phrases: wise, gentleness, jealousy, and selfish ambition.
Passage for the day: James 3:13-15 (NASB)
13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.
15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.
Questions for thought: Take a few moments to answer these questions before you go on to the next section.
What is the difference between “understanding” and “wisdom?” See Proverbs 9:10 for help on this one.
What does James mean by “gentleness of wisdom?” Give a practical example.
What is bitter jealousy and selfish ambition? What are you jealous about and why? Is that true wisdom with gentleness? If not, what steps do you need to take to change?
Why do you think that James describes earthly wisdom as demonic in verse 15?
CHEW ON THIS:
In these verses, James introduces us to true wisdom. Those who are truly wise and have knowledge according to God’s standards will prove it by attitudes and good actions. So what is understanding and wisdom? Understanding comes from getting to know God and seeing His wisdom in action. Understanding knows where to how to get wisdom and why wisdom is worth getting. Wisdom takes that knowledge of God and applies it in everyday life. Wisdom knows what is good and knows how to do the good, as a result of knowing God. Wisdom then concerns the conduct of one’s life. Wisdom from God gives birth to deeds and a way of life that grows in understanding.
However, there is another kind of wisdom – the kind that is found here on earth. The character of this kind of wisdom is bitter envy and selfish ambition. It is also seen as earthly, natural, and demonic! Wow. James is really going for shock value in these verses! He does not want us to miss the comparison. Any wisdom that does not come from God is not worth getting. It is Satanic and will result in a life of jealousy and selfishness. This is in complete contrast to the wisdom God gives, which results in a life that is characterized by gentleness and humility. We see this lived out even in the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve sinned. They listened to Satan’s so-called “words of wisdom” and it resulted in selfish ambition – not a life of humble submission and obedience to God’s words of wisdom. The words from Proverbs 14:12 characterizes this “wisdom” as well as any in the Bible: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”
So where are getting your wisdom to live your life? Don’t buy into the lie that the world’s wisdom has all of the answers! Only the wisdom of God will give you what you need – and it can only be acquired by getting to know Him. Let's be committed to knowing God and then humbly obeying Him with our actions and attitudes.
For His Name,
Pastor Stephen
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
James 3:7-12
March 26, 2008
As you read today's passage, look for these words or phrases: tongue, tame, bless, and curse.
Passage for the day: James 3:7-12 (NASB)
7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.
8 But no man can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.
9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;
10 From the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.
11 Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?
12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.
Questions for thought: Take a few moments to answer these questions before you go on to the next section.
James says that no man can tame the tongue. How does this relate to Psalm 141:3 and Proverbs 21:23?
According to James, is the root of the problem of evil speech in the mouth or tongue? What does Matthew 15:11, Mark 7:20-23, and Luke 6:45 say about the tongue?
Why ought not both blessing (praising) and cursing to come from the same mouth? Explain.
Do you bless God with your words and then use your words to curse and destroy others? How you will guard yourself from sinning with your tongue this week? What is your plan?
CHEW ON THIS:
If you have not gotten the picture already – WAKE UP! Your tongue – the words you speak have incredible power! Here James emphasizes what we learned in the previous verses. Even though man has been able to tame wild beasts, no man can tame the tongue. The tongue is not like the domesticated animal, technology, or even wild beasts. There is nothing that a man can do in his own strength to control this great power within him – the power of speech. The tongue, the power of speech, is a restless evil and deadly poison. WOW! Now that is some harsh language. However, it is the real picture of what our tongues are capable of doing. We are capable of using our words to destroy and poison others. But where does this poison and evil come from? According to Christ’s words in Matthew 15:11, Mark 7:20-23, and Luke 6:45, it all stems from the heart. So where is the hope of ever being able to control our speech and change our heart?
As you read earlier in Psalm 141:3 and Proverbs 21:23, the answer is that we must look to God for control. We also read in Galatians 5:16 about walking in the Spirit so that we won’t fulfill the desires of our flesh. God has given us the power to change and the hope we need to keep going! Without Him, we are hopeless. With Him, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Phil. 4:13)!
James also confronts us on how the tongue can praise God one moment and curse others the next. This blessing is the act of speaking in adoration of your God in both private prayer and in the public assembly of the believers. To use the gift of speech to praise the Lord is the proper use of the tongue. But at nearly the same moment the same tongue turns against others who have been “made in God’s likeness” and curses them, while professing faith in God. You’ve seen this happen. You’re in church on Sunday praising God with your fellow Christians, and then on Monday you are using the same tongue that praised God to curse and destroy others. Just as fresh water and bitter water cannot flow from the same source, blessing and cursing should not flow out of our mouths.
Why is this such a BIG deal? We are taking the tongue that God gave us to praise Him and using it for our own ends. We are all made in the image of God and when we use our words to tear down each other, we are really dishonoring God Himself! Let’s seek to build and encourage each other and use our words to bring honor to God today.
For His Name,
Pastor Stephen
As you read today's passage, look for these words or phrases: tongue, tame, bless, and curse.
Passage for the day: James 3:7-12 (NASB)
7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.
8 But no man can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.
9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;
10 From the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.
11 Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?
12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.
Questions for thought: Take a few moments to answer these questions before you go on to the next section.
James says that no man can tame the tongue. How does this relate to Psalm 141:3 and Proverbs 21:23?
According to James, is the root of the problem of evil speech in the mouth or tongue? What does Matthew 15:11, Mark 7:20-23, and Luke 6:45 say about the tongue?
Why ought not both blessing (praising) and cursing to come from the same mouth? Explain.
Do you bless God with your words and then use your words to curse and destroy others? How you will guard yourself from sinning with your tongue this week? What is your plan?
CHEW ON THIS:
If you have not gotten the picture already – WAKE UP! Your tongue – the words you speak have incredible power! Here James emphasizes what we learned in the previous verses. Even though man has been able to tame wild beasts, no man can tame the tongue. The tongue is not like the domesticated animal, technology, or even wild beasts. There is nothing that a man can do in his own strength to control this great power within him – the power of speech. The tongue, the power of speech, is a restless evil and deadly poison. WOW! Now that is some harsh language. However, it is the real picture of what our tongues are capable of doing. We are capable of using our words to destroy and poison others. But where does this poison and evil come from? According to Christ’s words in Matthew 15:11, Mark 7:20-23, and Luke 6:45, it all stems from the heart. So where is the hope of ever being able to control our speech and change our heart?
As you read earlier in Psalm 141:3 and Proverbs 21:23, the answer is that we must look to God for control. We also read in Galatians 5:16 about walking in the Spirit so that we won’t fulfill the desires of our flesh. God has given us the power to change and the hope we need to keep going! Without Him, we are hopeless. With Him, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Phil. 4:13)!
James also confronts us on how the tongue can praise God one moment and curse others the next. This blessing is the act of speaking in adoration of your God in both private prayer and in the public assembly of the believers. To use the gift of speech to praise the Lord is the proper use of the tongue. But at nearly the same moment the same tongue turns against others who have been “made in God’s likeness” and curses them, while professing faith in God. You’ve seen this happen. You’re in church on Sunday praising God with your fellow Christians, and then on Monday you are using the same tongue that praised God to curse and destroy others. Just as fresh water and bitter water cannot flow from the same source, blessing and cursing should not flow out of our mouths.
Why is this such a BIG deal? We are taking the tongue that God gave us to praise Him and using it for our own ends. We are all made in the image of God and when we use our words to tear down each other, we are really dishonoring God Himself! Let’s seek to build and encourage each other and use our words to bring honor to God today.
For His Name,
Pastor Stephen
Monday, March 24, 2008
James 3:1-6
March 24, 2008
As you read today's passage, look for these words or phrases: teachers, horses, ships, tongue, and fire.
Passage for the day: James 3:1-6 (NASB)
1 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.
2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.
3 Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well.
4 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.
5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!
6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.
Questions for thought: Take a few moments to answer these questions before you go on to the next section.
Why are teachers held to a stricter judgment?
Look at the examples of horses and ships in verses 3-4. You can bridle and lead horse, and you can steer, but how do you bridle or control your tongue?
James uses the example of a little fire that starts out small, but quickly turns into a blaze that destroys and wreaks havoc on anything in its path. How can someone use their tongue to do this kind of damage to others? In other words, what are your words capable of doing?
Read verse 6 again. What is the tongue compared to? What is it capable of doing to you?
CHEW ON THIS:
James begins the third chapter by talking about those who desire to teach. He is not telling us that desiring to teach is wrong or sinful – only that those who teach are going to be held accountable by God. We know that all of us will be held accountable by God for our lives, but James’ message here is those who teach will be judged with even greater severity. But what kind of judgment, you may ask? We are left without an answer, since James does not say. However, it serves as a warning shot to all of us who are teaching the Word of God – God is not absent, but is watching us and will keep us accountable.
The next statement is all-inclusive: everyone stumbles and sins in many ways, falling short of what is taught and required by the Lord. This statement balances the warning of the previous verse. Even teachers stumble at times – as well as those who do not teach. James wants us to keep all of this in perspective so that we will learn control our tongues.
This leads us into the next section, which contains some very powerful and graphic illustrations of the tongue. The tongue is compared to a ship and a horse. A controlled tongue is like the bit under the horse’s tongue by which the rider controls the entire horse. Just as the rider can control the horse, the body’s willfulness and appetites can be controlled. Though a horse is much larger than a human being, the rider is able to make the horse obey by employing a small, simple device. As we have learned already in James, it is wisdom from God that provides the capacity for bringing usefulness out of these things, whether they are the physical body, institutions, or movements of people. Only if the Word of God is actively applied to the situation will there be the guidance required for virtuous action and beneficial results.
The bringing under control of a very large object by a small but effective instrument hardly could have been better expressed than by the analogy of the ship and the rudder. Against the wind an immense, rudderless boat is uncontrollable. Out on the sea, without a mechanism for steering, the pilot would have no way of keeping the ship on any course. The ship would be tossed and driven with the wind and the waves. But with the rudder, the will of the pilot is sufficient to direct the ship.
James pointed to the small size of the rudder. Like the small bit in the horse’s mouth, the rudder, James said, is among the smallest of instruments on the ship. The rudder’s size is insignificant by comparison to the rest of the parts of the ship. The effectiveness of the instrument is what counts. Even in the harshest winds the boat will turn in the direction the pilot desires. The tongue, representing the believer’s speech, is not easily mastered. But the tongue must be mastered by acquiring the great skills of wisdom through careful and diligent study of God’s Word. Only by such study can the skill to face the great issues of life be obtained.
However, as James tells us, if our tongue is uncontrolled and left to do as it pleases, evil speech will result. As such, evil speech proves its true nature as an extension of hell itself! In a most powerful image, the fire that is the little tongue, a little spark that causing great fires and destruction, has its source from the wickedness of hell. This should cause us to re-evaluate our speech and how we are using our tongues. Just as the tongue has the power to destroy, it also has great power to build up and encourage!
How are you using your tongue today? Let's seek to build each other up with our tongues today instead of using it to destroy!
For His Name,
Pastor Stephen
As you read today's passage, look for these words or phrases: teachers, horses, ships, tongue, and fire.
Passage for the day: James 3:1-6 (NASB)
1 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.
2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.
3 Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well.
4 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.
5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!
6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.
Questions for thought: Take a few moments to answer these questions before you go on to the next section.
Why are teachers held to a stricter judgment?
Look at the examples of horses and ships in verses 3-4. You can bridle and lead horse, and you can steer, but how do you bridle or control your tongue?
James uses the example of a little fire that starts out small, but quickly turns into a blaze that destroys and wreaks havoc on anything in its path. How can someone use their tongue to do this kind of damage to others? In other words, what are your words capable of doing?
Read verse 6 again. What is the tongue compared to? What is it capable of doing to you?
CHEW ON THIS:
James begins the third chapter by talking about those who desire to teach. He is not telling us that desiring to teach is wrong or sinful – only that those who teach are going to be held accountable by God. We know that all of us will be held accountable by God for our lives, but James’ message here is those who teach will be judged with even greater severity. But what kind of judgment, you may ask? We are left without an answer, since James does not say. However, it serves as a warning shot to all of us who are teaching the Word of God – God is not absent, but is watching us and will keep us accountable.
The next statement is all-inclusive: everyone stumbles and sins in many ways, falling short of what is taught and required by the Lord. This statement balances the warning of the previous verse. Even teachers stumble at times – as well as those who do not teach. James wants us to keep all of this in perspective so that we will learn control our tongues.
This leads us into the next section, which contains some very powerful and graphic illustrations of the tongue. The tongue is compared to a ship and a horse. A controlled tongue is like the bit under the horse’s tongue by which the rider controls the entire horse. Just as the rider can control the horse, the body’s willfulness and appetites can be controlled. Though a horse is much larger than a human being, the rider is able to make the horse obey by employing a small, simple device. As we have learned already in James, it is wisdom from God that provides the capacity for bringing usefulness out of these things, whether they are the physical body, institutions, or movements of people. Only if the Word of God is actively applied to the situation will there be the guidance required for virtuous action and beneficial results.
The bringing under control of a very large object by a small but effective instrument hardly could have been better expressed than by the analogy of the ship and the rudder. Against the wind an immense, rudderless boat is uncontrollable. Out on the sea, without a mechanism for steering, the pilot would have no way of keeping the ship on any course. The ship would be tossed and driven with the wind and the waves. But with the rudder, the will of the pilot is sufficient to direct the ship.
James pointed to the small size of the rudder. Like the small bit in the horse’s mouth, the rudder, James said, is among the smallest of instruments on the ship. The rudder’s size is insignificant by comparison to the rest of the parts of the ship. The effectiveness of the instrument is what counts. Even in the harshest winds the boat will turn in the direction the pilot desires. The tongue, representing the believer’s speech, is not easily mastered. But the tongue must be mastered by acquiring the great skills of wisdom through careful and diligent study of God’s Word. Only by such study can the skill to face the great issues of life be obtained.
However, as James tells us, if our tongue is uncontrolled and left to do as it pleases, evil speech will result. As such, evil speech proves its true nature as an extension of hell itself! In a most powerful image, the fire that is the little tongue, a little spark that causing great fires and destruction, has its source from the wickedness of hell. This should cause us to re-evaluate our speech and how we are using our tongues. Just as the tongue has the power to destroy, it also has great power to build up and encourage!
How are you using your tongue today? Let's seek to build each other up with our tongues today instead of using it to destroy!
For His Name,
Pastor Stephen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
