The Book of James Week Five Lesson Four

“Standing Firm”

“Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.” James 5:7-8

Have you ever been told by someone not to pray for patience because the Lord will teach it to you? The good news is this, if we are followers of Jesus, we are equipped with patience powered by the indwelling Holy Spirit. To be patient we must, by faith and obedience, tap into this gift. 

Read Galatians 5:22-23. List the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Do you see that patience is listed? We are indeed equipped with the tools we need to live our lives the way God intended. The problem is this; the world around us is fallen and bad things happen, people misbehave and all this effects us. How we deal with our environment is the question.

Read James 5:7. What are we to be?

How long?

What example does James use for patience?

James uses the example of a farmer waiting for the rain to fall on his crops. Everyone knows that it takes rain to make the crops grow. This is a good example to use.The Summer is very hot and dry in Israel. The rains come in the Spring and Fall. It took patience to get through the Summer. There was nothing the farmer could do about it but trust that the rains would come.

Much like the farmer, we go through dry times. It takes patience to wait for the rains of God. He gives us the ability to wait on Him through the power of the Holy Spirit. Each believer is equipped for waiting. It is an act of faith to wait on the Lord.

Read Galatians 6:9. What will we reap when we trust and do God’s good?

It’s hard not to lose patient when we do things on our own power. We must remember that we are given what we need to get through rough times. When we don’t depend on the Holy Spirit we can get angry, frustrated and depressed. Our tendency is to fix things on our own instead of allowing God to work in His perfect time.

Read 2 Corinthians 4:16-18. What are we to do when we have problems in life? Why?

Our spiritual stability requires that we fix our eyes on Jesus and trust Him. We cannot take our eyes off of Him because whatever direction you are looking, that is the way you will fall. For example, if you depend on a glass of wine to ease your weariness, or eat to calm your nerves, you will eventually fall down in over-dependence on these things rather than trusting Jesus.

Our aim is to do good things according to God’s will and not depend on ourselves. We must have quality in the character God as given us instead of our old sinful selves. However, just doing good things may not be the good God has in mind for you. Sometimes we can compensate for our emotional needs by doing “good things” to fill up the need we have for God. We get worn down and burned out. It’s imperative to ask God to show you what He wants you to do.

Read 1 Timothy 1:18-19. What instruct does the Apostle Paul give to Timothy? 

What does Paul say happens to those who have rejected fighting the good fight and holding on to their faith with a good conscience?

We must hold onto our faith in Jesus no matter what and fight the good fight by being obedience to Him as our Master, Leader and Savior. This good fight is to keep our minds focused on Him and carry out the plan and purpose He has for us. 

My mother always told me, “God’s timing is perfect.” She was right. We are to live our lives righteously towards our Lord. It takes patience to wait on Him and we are equipped with the patience we need. All we need to do is rely on Him. When we get discouraged it should prompt us to get down on our spiritual knees and pray, continually depending on His power.

Read Acts 17:24-28. God made the world and everything in it. What does God determine for the world and everyone who inhabits it?

Why did God do this?

Write out verse 28. Apply it to your life.

God sets the times for our lives. If this is true, why do we worry about life? Whether we want to admit it or not, God’s timing is perfect and will be carried out no matter how much we try to change things. The only thing we can change is our attitude. We can change the direction of our wills to line up with His perfect will.

Read 2 Peter 3:8-9. What does this verse mean to you? How can you apply it to your life today?

Being patient is understanding God isn’t slow, but desires that everyone will have a chance to come to Him. We are to pattern our Christian walk after Jesus and be patient, knowing He in ultimately in control. He still sits on His throne and rules perfectly.

Read James 5:8. What do we do as we wait for Jesus to return?

Since God has provided a solid foundation made up of His love, His Word, His plans, His purposes and His statutes, all established through His Son Jesus, we have a solid place to stand and live out our lives. To do this, we have to step onto this foundation by faith in Jesus. God’s foundation does change or shift. It stays firm.

We’ve studied putting on the full armor of God and choosing between building our lives on rock (Jesus) or sand (the world). Let’s dig further and learn how to stand firm. 

Read 1 Corinthians 15:56-58. What is the reason we should stand firm in Christ Jesus?

In verse 58, we learn three things we are to do. What are they?

1.

2.

3.

We learn there are three components to standing firm in our faith. We must not let anything move us, give ourselves fully to God’s work (which are His plans and purposes for us) and live daily in the knowledge we do not labor in vain when we are obedient to Him. He alone is our Hope. Nothing can harm us. Yes, we can lose our physical bodies to death, but because Jesus has been victorious over death, we own this same victory. When we die our lives continue on in eternity. 

Read 2 Timothy 2:19. What stands firm?

What is God’s foundation sealed with?

Write the inscription that is written on the foundation of Jesus:

God has provided us with a solid foundation on which we can build our lives and that is Jesus. We stand firm in His presences and His presence is always with us. We don’t have to stand on our own. He provides the ability to stand firm. We can’t do it on our own. As we live our lives in Jesus, we are provided with the tools we need. We wait on His rain to fall on our dryness. He nourishes those He loves and who love and serve Him. Without Him in our lives we will fail. What is written on the foundation you choose to stand on?

The Book of James Week Five Lesson Three

“Self-Indulgence”

“For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The wages you held back cry out against you. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter. You have condemned and killed innocent people, who do not resist you.”  James 5:4-6

Society has become a self-indulgent, need-it-now, expect-it-now, get-it-at-any-cost, McDonald’s-fast, it’s-my-right, type of world. We (especially those in the free world) have become so used to having everything we think we need and want that we have become a society that expects to have everything we think we need or want NOW. We are all guilty of it. This fallen world is centered on “self.” 

My complacent attitude toward those in true need is disobedience to Christ’s command to love others as ourselves. The good news is this; God is merciful and gives us the ability to learn how He wants us to live as believers. Bible study and prayer help with it tremendously. But, it takes a conscious decision to act with love and respect to our fellow human beings. 

Read James 5:4-5b. What did the wealthy forget to do?

What has reached God’s ears?

How have the wealthy lived their lives?

You may not consider yourself wealthy, but in the world’s eyes, if you live in the USA or the free nations of the world, you are. There are poor here, but most folks eat at least once a day. For example, the diet industry is a billion dollar market. Lots of people are trying to lose weight. If you are trying to lose weight, then you are considered wealthy compared to the real poor who don’t eat for days.

Read Matthew 23. What are the seven woes Christ speaks about? List them.

What does Jesus say about “self-indulgence” in verse 25?

Jesus is talking to the Pharisees and the Teachers of the Law. Don’t tune this out and think it’s not about you. We can all be self-indulgent. Some are better than others with hiding their “me-first” attitude. In this fallen world, if we are disobedient to Jesus, we are thinking about what we want before what He wants. It applies to all of us. Christ asks us to examine our hearts.

Read Luke 12:15. What does Jesus warn us about?

What does He teach us that our lives should not consist of?

Read Psalm 62:11-12. What two things did the Psalmist hear from God?

1. ____________________________________
2. ____________________________________

Even though we may have eternal life. God does reward us by what we have done for Him on this earth. Jesus warns us that “self-indulgence” is not something worthy of reward. In fact, it is a time-waster. We waste time thinking about our needs and don’t work for Christ’s purposes. While we are thinking about how things will effect us, we forget or neglect the work God has for us to do. There is true reward in being obedient. Self-indulgence creates a thirst which can never be filled. Giving, having a generous heart like our Savior, fills us to overflowing.

James’ message to the wealthy of his time transcends through the generations and teaches the Lord’s will for our lives. In order for us to truly receive from the hand of God through Christ Jesus, we must lay ourselves down and pick up the life He has for us. Our true calling is to love God and love others.

Has anyone ever gotten in your way of getting what you want? What were the emotions you felt?

Did you feel the conviction of Christ’s Holy Spirit living within you? How did you respond?

I can think of many times when I put my desires above God’s command to love Him and love others. I feel frustration, anger, depression... When I think of Him first and how He wants me to behave in my life I am filled with joy, peace, patience, fulfillment...

He fills me with all good things and He is pleased. I’m learning. I still fall, but I’m learning.

Read Luke 6:38. What does Jesus promise will happen when we give?

What how does Jesus give back to us when we give as He tells us to?

We give, He gives back, pressed down, shaken together and running over. It reminds me of how I measure brown sugar. I scoop it out of the bag, I press it down, put some more on, press it down, put some more on, press it down....I heap it up so I can get as much of the brown sugar as I possibly can. Jesus gives this way. He gives more than enough. He gives to overflowing.

There is great benefit to being obedient to Jesus. In our self-indulgence, we only receive from our own hand. With obedience we receive from the hand of the Life-giver Himself. We receive the best from the King of Kings. Which would you rather have? Let’s give ourselves to Him and receive back more than enough.

The Book of James Week Five Lesson Two

“I’d Rather Have Jesus”

“Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags.Your gold and silver have become worthless. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This treasure you have accumulated will stand as evidence against you on the day of judgment.” James 5:1-3

When I was growing up, there was a lady in town, Mrs. Ellenburg, who was 100 years old. She attended my church and had two daughters in their seventies and eighties who took care of her. My friends and I would ride out bikes to their houses just to visit ~ always unannounced. Mrs. Ellenburg lived with her oldest daughter, Mae in an ancient Victorian house that was as old as Mrs. Ellenburg herself. We’d visit, eat cookies and drink lemonade. It was always fun. 

When I was 10 or 11 Mrs. Ellenburg died. The preacher talked about her favorite hymn and it really made an impression on me. We sang together the words that truly reflected her life and the things she held dear. Her treasures weren’t of this world and it showed in the way she and her daughters took time for a few little girls. To this day I enjoy the elderly. I learn so much from them. This experience with her, for me, is a treasure God given to me that I store up in heaven. One day we’ll sing this song together again, “I’d Rather Have Jesus.” Now that’s a real treasure.

Here are the words:

       “I’d Rather Have Jesus”

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;

I’d rather be His than have riches untold;

I’d rather have Jesus than houses or land;

I’d rather be led by His nail-scarred hands.

Chorus:

Than to be the king of a vast domain,

Or be held by sin’s dread sway.

I’d rather have Jesus, than anything this world affords today.

I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;

I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;

I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame.

I’d rather to true to His Holy Name.

He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;

He’s sweeter than honey from out of the comb.

He’s all that my hungering spirit needs.

I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead.

Our treasure should be like Mrs. Ellenburg’s. It should be a treasure that will last for eternity. True treasure are the gifts that Jesus gives His own.

Read James 5:1-3. What does James warn the reader about?

What happened to their wealth?

What about their clothes?

What happens to their silver and gold?

What testifies against the rich? Why?

James has spoken about the rich early on in his letter. He focuses on the people who love their wealth more than God and other people. It is the most important thing to them. They spend their time and energy in making more and ignore the needs of those who are hurting. God is way down on their list, if at all. 

Read Luke 6:20-26. Read these verses and not the difference between the blessing of the poor and the woes of the rich. 

                   Blessings                                                                       Woes

James is saying that placing the god of desire of earthly things, as your main concern, will lead you to destruction. Even though James has already spoken about the sins and trappings of wealth, he deems it so important, he repeats it.

In the Middle East, during the time when Jesus and James were on earth, there were three sources of income. They were:

1. Corn and grain (Income of Wealth)
2. Clothing (The Appearance of Wealth)
3. Silver and gold (The Hoarding of Wealth)

Let’s look at each source of income:

Corn and Grain (Income of wealth)

Being a farmer was a common occupation.  People must work to provide for their needs and there is nothing wrong with that. However, when the focus becomes how much one works to make it, it becomes a sin ~ a god ~ an idol. What we worked for on this earth will rot and decay. Instead, we should seek the eternal.

Read Deuteronomy 8:17-18. What do people sometimes say about their wealth? 

What should we remember?

What does the ability to have an income confirm? In other words, what does the ability to work for a living, a gift given to us by God, confirm between God and mankind?

God wants us to remember He gives the ability to make a living. He may choose to give us the ability to make great wealth or just enough to get by. Whichever way, He asks only that we give Him the credit and thank Him for it. Christ promises us that God provides for His children.

Clothing (The Appearance of Wealth)

Clothing was a status symbol and was even used as a form of currency in the Old and New Testament times. They didn’t have closets full of clothes like we do. So, to own a nice tunic or sandals was a sign of wealth. Even the color made a difference. Purple was very expense the way it made it then. They would crush up a certain kind of shell that came from the bottom of the sea, to get the purple dye. Purple indicated wealth because they were the only ones who could afford it.

Clothing today shows much the same kind of status. We go by label and trend. It doesn’t matter whether we have money or not, clothing matters to a lot of people. How many of us (especially women) ask this questions, “What am I going to wear.” We stand in front of our closets full of clothes and complain that we have nothing to wear.

Read Matthew 6:29-29. What does Jesus tell us not to worry about?

What does Jesus ask us to look at?

How does He describe them?

What happens to them?

What can we learn from this?

God clothes the flowers with beauty more splendid than a King’s garments. Yet these flowers fade and perish quickly. James teaches that our lives on this earth will fade and perish as well. God who loves us more than the lilies, will provide what we need on this earth. The Bible teaches us the clothing we wear will be eaten by moths. If we belong to Jesus, He has robes of righteousness ready and waiting for us in eternity that will never wear out.

Silver and Gold (The Hoarding of Wealth)

There’s nothing wrong with saving money. It’s when we horde and worship wealth that it becomes sin. Silver and gold do not rust, James is saying that the God who created silver and gold will eventually cause it to decay. The desire we have for these things, is like the corrosion of rust in our spirits. This desire will eat away at us until we are consumed by it. That is why Jesus tells us to store up our eternal treasures in heaven.

Read Proverbs 23:4-5. Write this passage in your own words:

Whoa! The writer of this Proverb (King Solomon the wealthiest king ever known), warns us not to place all our focus and desire on silver and gold (wealth). Our focus must be on God’s wealth and worth. His promises ,and His faithfulness in them carrying out, is the treasure we can depend on. It lasts for an eternity.

Read Matthew 6:33. What should we seek first?

What will we receive?

If we seek His Kingdom,He will provide for us the promise of eternal riches in Heaven even while we walk on this earth. We can begin to enjoy the promise of eternity now. God wants to pour out His blessings on us as we walk in obedience to Him.

“The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.” Revelation 21:21

What we value on this earth is used to walk on in heaven. Jesus, is the only Value. He alone meets the standard of true and lasting wealth. Let us now focus on Him, our eternal treasure. Salvation is given to us by His nail-scarred hands. “I’d rather have Jesus...” How about you?

The Book of James Week Five Lesson One

“Tomorrow”

‘Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil. Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.’ James 4:13-17

“Tomorrow,” songs have written about it, plans have been made for it, hope has been placed in it. We say things like, “Tomorrow is another day,” to make us feel we will have a new start, a do-over. What does tomorrow hold for us? We can only speculate. It’s ok to plan for our futures, but we cannot place our hope in it. Our hope lies solely in the hands of God.

Read James 4:13-15. What does James say about making plans?

What does he compare our lives to?

Have you ever been going about your day and something arises that changes everything? Well, I’m sure most of us have had that happen and more than once. Our lives get interrupted. Plans change. Jesus used a parable to teach us about plans that do not include God.

Read Luke 12:13-21. Summarize the parable Jesus taught.

What did God say to the man in verse 20?

What does verse 21 tell us?

So does this mean we aren’t t have plans or things like a savings account. No, but it does mean we better be seeking God’s will regarding these things and realize it is God who has control over our future, both in this life and the one to come.

We may shake our heads at the rich fool in Jesus’ parable, but each of us could be that person. We’ve all looked at what we have and what we have done and not always given the credit to God who provided it all.

Those who place their earthly treasures of more importance than God, are fools. I am foolish to worry about storing up treasure for my selfish pleasure because my life could be taken from me at any time. God’s desire isn’t for us to plan for our next day on earth, but to be prepared for eternity with Him.

Read Matthew 6:19-21. What does Jesus tell us NOT to do? Why?

What does He tell us to do? Why?

What does your treasure tell you about the condition of your heart?

Ever heard, “You can’t take a U-Haul to heaven”? It’s true, but if we have stored up our treasures in heaven, they will be waiting for us there. It’s real treasure, not the temporary, unfulfilling treasure of this world. 

James teaches us everything we have on this earth is from God’s hand. He has the power to give and to take away. Our concerns should be with the eternal things ~ God’s love, salvation, grace, wisdom, knowledge... We should look to God as our Provider and give Him all the credit. We must fear (respect) Him. This is our goal as His children.

Read James 4:17. Write it out in your own words.

James is giving us fair warning. He’s warns us and it is our choice to be obedient to Christ or not. He must be first. He is our Master.

Read 1 John 3:6-10. Can those who truly live in obedience to Jesus continue on in their sin? Why or why not?

How do we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are?

Our objective as Christians is to love God with all our hearts, with all our souls and with all our minds and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Everything we do should fall in line with this. Our treasure is Christ.

In the great scheme of things, tomorrow will come and go. We live and grow in Christ if we put Him alone as our treasure. Life continues on, day to night, night to day, over and over. Things that were once so important fade from memory. Everything is temporary. Life is a mist that appears for an instant and vanishes. What really matters is our eternity. If you love and serve the Master, you know what you treasures should be and where you should store them. If you don’t love and serve the Master, I hope you will. Treasure in heaven is eternal. Treasure on earth will disappear when we cross over after this life is through. Choose well.

The Book of James Week Four Lesson Five

“Righteous Versus Malicious”

“Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?” James 4:11-12

This passage isn’t just about gossip. It’s about malicious lie-telling. It’s about taking on the role of judge and jury. Intentionally telling lies and spreading them around, is wrong. The Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments, denounces the sin of defamation against God and our fellow man more than any other.

Read James 4:11-12. What do you think slander means?

What do we do when we slander someone?

What commandment are we breaking? (See Exodus 20:16)

The modern term for “slander” is “defamation of character.” It means, “proclaiming something false with malicious intent.” Each of us has a right to have our character preserved, but none of us are exempt from slander. Because we live in a fallen world, defamation is present. James is teaching us, as followers of Jesus, to refrain from lying about others and then spreading it around.

The Greek word for “slander,” used in our passage today is “diablos” which means “a malicious utterance.” The English word “diabolic” comes from this word and means “showing wickedness and cunning typical of the devil.”

Read Romans 1:28-32. The Apostle Paul is talking about God’s wrath against mankind in this portion of Scripture. What has God given certain people over to? 

What have they become filled with?

In other words, those who choose to be disobedient to God and be obedient to selfish, self-promoting, character-bashing lives, will reap the result of their. He rejects them. Without God, this is a death sentence. 

Believers, are free from the death sentence because of Jesus. James, is warning us that God will discipline His children. It is a test of faith to avoid slander even though everything within us wants to get the other person.

Proverbs has a lot to say about this very subject. Look up the following verses and list the effects of slander and gossip found in each one:

Proverbs 11:13 -

Proverbs 16:28 -

Proverbs 18:8 -

Proverbs 20:19 -

Proverbs 26:20 -

Being slanderous and taking the place of God as judge is a sin. But what about when we know someone, especially one who is in authority over others, is sinning against others and leading them down the wrong path? What do we do about that? Do we just sit back and say nothing?

Read Jude 1:3-4 (NLT) I have for you here:

“Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people. I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”

What does Jude warn us about?

Look at the sentence I italicized. What is the difference between this and judging?

Is it wrong to stand up and speak truth? How should a believer go about this? 

I believe that we should never slander someone. Slander and defending the church, the Bible and all believers, is different. It becomes sin when we embellish truth and spread gossip. It takes obedience to what God is telling you to do versus what we as humans want to see happen.

Here’s an example of defending the truth versus being slanderous. Read Galatians 2:11-14. What did Paul do? Why?

Was this a sin? Why or why not?

What is the truth that Paul was defending?

We must stand up and proclaim the truth but we should never take on the discipline portion of an individual. The discipline is God’s to impart. This is where judgment comes in. For example, if you heard a preacher preach an outright false teaching, you go to them and point it out. God takes care of the rest.

Read Psalm 75:7. Who is the proper judge? What does He do?

As believers we must trust in God’s judgment alone. However, we must stand up to what we know is true and what goes against the Bible. We must live lives of integrity. It is wrong to allow sin to flourish in our lives and in the lives of our churches. We must be aware of what goes on, bring the sin to light and allow God to deal with it. 

Slander must never be a part of our lives. We must always ask ourselves this, “Am I being malicious or am I living righteously in God’s Will?” This takes staying close to God and listening to Him as we spend time in prayer and in His Word. Remember we are living in a battle field. But, we learned in our last lesson that God gives us the spiritual armor to fight. Let’s stand unified behind the Truth ~ Jesus.

The Book of James Week Four Lesson Four

“Come Close”

“Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.” James 4:8-10

How does a person get close to God? I have felt like I am light years away from Him at times. Many people have felt this way at one time or another. James addresses this topic of being near to God, enveloped in His presence. It’s a wonderful place to be. I want to be near to the heart of God. Do you?

Read James 4:8a. What do we have to do in order for God to come close to us? Why do you think this is important?

When we step closer to God, we are immediately in His presence. It’s an act of faith. Being away from God means to be turned in the opposite direction in relationship to Him. God doesn’t change positions. In order for a person to draw near to God, they must turn from the direction they are going. This simple act of faith, turning our full attention to Him and denying all else, brings us into His presence. 

Read Acts 3:19-20. What does the Apostle Peter tell us to do? What is the result?

In order to come close to God we must turn from and repent of (confess and let go) our sins (actions that go against the holiness of God). This act of turning is essential to being close to God. If a person is feeling far from God, it may be that there is unconfessed sin that is drawing them away from God’s presence. 

Read James 4:8b. What is the next step in coming close to God?

Did your mom tell you over and over to make sure you washed your hands? She had reason to. We do most things with our hands and come in contact with bacteria and viruses that can make us sick. In order to wash our hands we have to let go of the things we are holding in order to pick up the soap, scrub and wash. The same holds true of sin. If we are holding on to bitterness and hatred, we have to let go and turn to the only One who can make us clean. Jesus washes us and makes us presentable to God. 

After letting go and washing our spiritual hands, we now purify. This means a deep cleaning is in order. The Holy Spirit gets rid of the deep down residue that is caused by the actions of our disobedience towards sin. Depending how long we have resided in our sin, determines the length of the purification process. This takes a willing spirit within the person. We have to want to be whole. Even though we have the promise of eternal life, sometimes the process of coming out of sin takes time. For instance, if a person is involved in drugs it takes time to get out of the habit of doing drugs. Sometimes it is instantaneous, other times it takes longer. Whatever the time frame, the Holy Spirit does the purification, deep cleaning, that is required. Each person has to allow this process to take place in order to live a full spiritual life. Our salvation is complete when we accept Jesus, but the healing may take time, depending on our willingness to submit to Him.

Read James 4:9. Why do you think James includes mourning and grieving in the process?

When we come to God’s throne we must repent and feel sorry for living in sin. In death we all grieve. Repentance causes the death of ourselves to sin. Our old lives are dead, but we are then made new and alive in Christ Jesus. Sorrow and mourning are all a part of the turning away from sin and then coming closer to the Holy One.

Read James 4:10. How does a person humble themselves before God? Why?

What will the Lord do when we humble ourselves?

When we repent and accept His forgiveness, the barrier that kept us from His presence is gone. Our Lord reaches down with His nail-scarred hands and draws us close to His sacred heart. Our mourning is turned to pure delight as we dwell in His holy presence. 

Can you picture it? Can you see Him laughing with you, reveling in pure joy? Tears are turned to joy. Mourning is now rejoicing. You are released from sin and live in His presence.

God isn’t light years away, He’s right behind us. All it takes is turning away from our way of doing things, humbling ourselves before Him by letting go of our sins, washing our hands and allowing Him to work in us to purify us by His Holy Spirit. “Come close to God and He will come close to you.” Dwell in the delight of His presence.

“The lowly He sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.” Job 5:11

The Book of James Week Four Lesson Three

“Submit to Resist”

“So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

Humility does more than just get us to bow. It gives us the ability to walk behind the shield of the Mighty One. When we are obedient to Jesus as our Master and Protector, we are protected from the flaming arrows of the evil one. This doesn’t mean that hard times won’t come into our lives. It means that we are supernaturally protected and equipped to fight satan. 

Write James 4:7 in your own words. Make it personal by adding your name. 

I’ve always thought resisting the devil on my own was the way to avoid the supernatural battle I face every day. Instead I read in James 4:7 there is a proper order to resisting the devil and it’s not doing it on my own.

1. We humble ourselves before God. We come under His authority by taking our proper place under His control. Who better to control things than our Creator Himself.

1. Behind the authority of God, we resist the devil. On our own we are powerless to defend ourselves. 

1. Satan flees at the mention of God’s Son Jesus. The devil knows that God is Ruler over all things. He knows Whose authority and power we stand behind.

The Lord gives us supernatural protection against evil. We are going to look at the best description of spiritual armor which is found in Ephesians 6:10-18. The Apostle Paul describes, with great detail, this armor. He uses an example the first century Christians would recognize immediately. The armor of the Roman soldiers was something they saw frequently and helped them visualize the armor of God.

Read Ephesians 6:10-18. Answer the following questions.

Verses 10-12. What are we to be?

Why are we to put on the full armor of God?

What is and isn’t our struggle against? Explain.

To be fitted with spiritual armor, we must be strong and come under the protection of God’s Son Jesus. This means that we have to give up our desire to react the way we want to react. The Lord gives us the battle plan which is to step behind Him as our Leader and Protector. When we do things on our own, we step away from His protection and are open to the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Verse 13. What are we to put on first and what are we to do?

We must put on the full armor God provides. We don’t just put on a piece here and there. To come under the protection He gives, we must do as Scripture says and dress in full spiritual armor. Just wearing a sword without the shield isn’t enough. It’s in fully giving ourselves over to His direction where we find protection from the evil one and his demons.

Verse 14a. We are to stand firm and what do we have strapped around our waist?

The belt warriors used was strapped on their waist. It was near the hands for easy access. On this belt hangs the weapons needed for battle. As believers God equips His children with what they need. We just have to remember we are equipped. Sometimes we are overwhelmed by the battle we are facing and we don’t remember to use the weapons He provides.

Verse 14b. What guards our hearts?

The breastplate of the warrior was a coat of mail that covered all the vital organs. We learn righteousness (a right relationship with God) guards are hearts and all that is vital for our spiritual well-being. Without a right relationship with our Lord, we are without protection from the evil one. This is why confessing our sins and turning from them is essential. We are weakened by our separation from God. The good news is we can turn back to God at any time humbling ourselves before Him.

Verse 15. What are feet fitted with?

Where does it come from?

The shoes of a Roman soldier were called “greaves” which protected the legs. The Christian wears the “Greaves of the Gospel.” In order to stand firm in our battle against the evil one, we need to be ready to share the Gospel, the Good News of Christ. This means we live out our faith so it is evident to all that we are believers and followers of Jesus.

Verse 16. What is the first defensive piece of armor we take up? What is it used for?

The Roman soldier had a shield which was large and covered with leather. They would soak it in water before they went out to battle so when flaming arrows would come it would extinguish them. Our faith is based on our trust in Jesus as our Defender and Leader. The evil ones arrows are extinguished by the shield of faith soaked in the Living Water which is Jesus Himself.

Verse 17. What protects our heads?

What other defensive weapon do we strap on? Why?

The helmet the Roman soldier wore surrounded the head, shielding it from harm. The supernatural helmet we wear is salvation. The mind, our decision-making part of us, is protected by the salvation Christ bought for us on the cross. We live in peace knowing this world and this temporary body of ours will die, but the real person, the soul is protected and will live with Him in eternity. Our souls are protected from hell and from satan’s hatred for us. Every decision we make should be based on our Hope of Salvation, Jesus. Without the helmet of salvation, there is no hope for survival from the evil one.

Read Hebrews 4:12. Describe the word of God as defined in this verse? Why is it so important to know as a believer?

The Word of God, the sword, cuts quickly and precisely between the world’s truth and God’s Truth. He doesn’t allow anything to muddy the water. As we live by faith, we live by His Truth. There is no better weapon than our Lord’s Words lived out in the life of a true believer in Jesus. 

When we choose to live as a Christ follower, we choose to stand behind Him and submit to His authority and power. Submission really means, “to come under protection of one in authority over us.” It is my prayer that we will choose submission to our great Master and Warrior Jesus. He has already defeated satan. We are victors when we stand behind His shield. Put on the full armor of God in Christ Jesus.