The Book of James Week Four Lesson Two

“Friend or Foe”

“You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. What do you think the Scriptures mean when they say that the spirit God has placed within us is filled with envy? But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but favors the humble.”

 James 4:4-6

Read James 5:4-5. Why does James say “You adulterers?”(Look back at verses 1-3)

Answer the question James asks in verse 5.

James is asking the reader to make a choice. There is urgency in his voice. Are we a friend or foe to God? Do we desire the world and its values or do we desire God and all He values? James is warning those who call themselves Christians they may be false Christians and enemies of God. He doesn’t mince words. These words cut to the quick to true believers. Our behavior and loyalty is challenged and there is true sorrow and repentance. For a false believer, it only makes them angry and defiant.

What does this passage make you feel like? Do you feel sorrow and repentance or do you want to justify your believes?

Read Isaiah 54:5. What term does Isaiah say about our Maker?

How does he describe Him?

The Hebrew word for “husband” is “ba’al” and means, “to marry, rule over, possess, own.” There is ownership in our relationship with God. A true believer knows this and accepts God’s will over their own. We are to fall into submission to our Master. He in turn provides, protects and loves us as His own. When we become involved with or behave according to the worldly view, we are unfaithful to our Master, the One who gave His best and most beloved Son ~ Jesus.

Don’t let this confuse you. We aren’t speaking of “husband” in human terms. It means a covenantal tie of love and loyalty between the Lord and those who call themselves Christians. Isaiah describes the qualities of God and why we would be wise to remember who He really is.

Read Romans 8:5-8. What does the person who has their thoughts set on the value of this world have their mind set on?

If your mind is set on the world what happens to your loyalty and focus on what God values?

What is the mind of sinful man/woman?

What is the mind controlled by the Holy Spirit?

Can those controlled by their sinful nature please God? Why?

How can you please God?

When a person lives according to their sinful nature, that person cannot be a friend of God. Instead of love toward the Master, they show their master is satan. Loyalty divided between the world and God is no loyalty at all. You have to choose.

Read James 4:6. Who does God oppose?

What does He give to the humble?

God opposes the proud, those who think their way is better than His way. Christians aren’t exempt from this type of behavior. I know I am often proud, thinking my way is better than His way. I can justify my behavior, but if I am going against what I know God says to do and focus on getting my way, then God’s grace doesn’t extend to me. The only way I can receive God’s grace is to humble myself, repent and turn towards Him. It is in this humble condition where I receive His abundant grace. 

“The Lord mocks the mockers 

but is gracious to the humble.” Proverbs 3:34.

Read Psalm 18:25-29. What does God show to the faithful?

What does God show to the blameless?

To the pure?

To the crooked?

Who does God save?

Who does He bring low?

What are the benefits that King David gives for his being faithful to God? (These are meant for all who are faithful to God.)

King David is showing two roads of behavior; faithful to God versus unfaithful to God. God is faithful and shows mercy to those who love and serve Him. I love the way the NIV puts it, “with my God, I can scale a wall.”

 I’ve never had the opportunity to physically scale a wall, but I can imagine the strength it takes to do it. Spiritually I have constant need of scaling walls. I need to scale the walls of pride, hatred, bitterness and envy. With the Holy Spirit, God provides the power for me to scale those walls that separate me from Him. Without Him, I am powerless against these forces that keep me far from His presence.

If we truly believe and follow Christ Jesus as our Master then we must remain faithful to Him. Everyday we walk with Him, talk with Him, listen to Him and study His Word, we grow deeper in our relationship to Him.

It’s hard to really be honest with ourselves when it comes to our behavior and our selfish thoughts when we think no one is watching. God is always aware of our heart’s true desires and intentions. The good news is that if we turn away from these things and truly seek Him, He is gracious and forgiving and gathers us to His mighty chest. 

God loves and forgives beyond all reason. There is no mercy found in this world. Who do we want to serve, a world that doesn’t care or a loving God who shows it? Are you a friend or foe to Almighty God? We have to choose. Let’s choose to scale a wall with the power He gives and not live weak lives according to what this world offers.

The Book of James Week Four Lesson One

“Motives”

“What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.”

 James 4:1-3

Some people love a good fight. Me, I’d rather not! But, I do find myself in the midst of some doosies. We learn what causes quarrels and fighting from our passage today. It all has to do with our motives. To understand why we do battle is found in the condition of our hearts.

Read James 4:1.What causes fights among you?

The deep seed of self-fulfilling desire dwells within each of us and too often takes root and grows if we let it take the place of the holy desire to be obedient to our Master Jesus.  

We all struggle with desire. Desire can be good or bad. Two forces, righteous (right relationship with God) and unrighteous (no relationship with God) desires pulls at us. In 

James 4:1, he says, “they come from the evil desires within you.” This desire is self-seeking, self-fulfilling and self-focused. 

Here is an equation that will help us see the energy that is unleashed when we succumb to our desires versus our Master’s desire for us.

Passion + Desire = Pleasure

1. Passion is the emotional energy we have.
2. Desire is the affection unleashed.
3. Pleasure is delight or enjoyment.

All three of the emotions are given to us by God. It’s how we use them that shows what our true motivation is and if we are sinning in our behavior. 

Read Galatians 5:16-17. What does the Apostle Paul teach us about how we should live and why?

What does the sinful nature desire?

What does the Spirit of God desire?

There is a spiritual conflict between the sinful nature and the Holy Spirit’s desire. This conflict generates emotional energy that can spill out in our response to each situation we find ourselves in. It’s in how we respond that we find the key. Are we succumbing to our sinful nature or are we submitting to the Holy Spirit that dwells within us? 

The equation; Passion + Desire = Pleasure can help us evaluate how we respond in tense situations, like in an argument. It can also help us evaluate our behavior in any situation. 

Here’s an example of unrighteous versus righteous motivation: 

Unrighteous Motivation:

Passion (emotional energy spent): Anger towards another person I am in an argument with.

Desire (affection unleashed): To be right and win the argument.

Pleasure (enjoyment): To make the other person involved in the argument see that I am right by winning the fight.

Righteous Motivation: 

Passion (emotional energy spent): Loving others according to my Master Jesus’ command to love one another.

Desire (affection unleashed): To be obedient to my Master Jesus.

Pleasure (enjoyment): Being blessed by my Master Jesus when I act in accordance with His will.

Read Ephesians 4:26-27. What does these verses say about anger? Why is this so important to know?

When we allow our sinful desire to override our Master’s desire, we allow satan to take hold of our actions causing us to sin. This is why our fights end up with everyone hurt. Even if we have a righteous reason to be angry. It’s who we depend on to do battle for us which determines the end result. We can depend on ourselves and fail or we can depend on our Master Jesus and live in righteousness.

Read James 4:2-3. What often is the result of not getting what we want?

Why do we not receive answers and direction from God?

Our desires do battle within us. Selfishness is our motivator. If it is allowed to reign in our hearts, then it becomes our master. Thoughts are consumed by our selfish desires and lead to destructive behavior. Days become overrun with thoughts of how to get what we want. We go everywhere to find fulfillment, but we don’t go to God. When we do go to God, we don’t receive because He sees the ruling master of our hearts. He knows our true motivation.

Do you ever feel like your prayers don’t reach God? They seem to hit the ceiling and fall back down unanswered. You know that you’ve prayed and feel like you’ve believed and still your prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling like a rubber ball. James tells us the reason, “you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.” 

Give an example of an unrighteous motive.

Give and example of a righteous motive.

Unrighteous motives wants what we want and not what God wants. Jesus taught us to pray, “Your will be done.”

 That means God’s will, His plans, His purposes and not ours. Our will should be being obedient to what God wants. It takes faith, which is actively believing God for direction. 

Another motivation behind our actions is fear. We fear the unknown. We want to know the end result before things happen. Our motives mimic knowing the end result. Scenarios play out in our minds, kind of helping us see the future. We depend on what we think things will turn out or we want them to turn out.

Read Luke 12:4-7. What does Jesus say about fear?

Who knows you better than you know yourself? Who gave His only Son to pay our penalty of sin? Why can’t we depend on this love from our God to provide even in the unknown? It seems rational when you read it, but living faith is hard. Fear must be replaced with God’s perfect love in order for our motives to line up with His.

Greed is yet another common motivator. We want what we want when we want it, which is NOW! This begins at birth and goes on throughout life. It is the desire to meet all the cravings of our sinful nature instead of God’s perfect nature. 

Read Luke 12:13-15. What does Jesus say in verse 15?

Jesus warned us to watch out for the greed of our sinful nature. We are to behave as He did, humble towards the Father’s will. We should always have the desires of God in the forefront of our minds. It takes doing this over and over and over again. It takes stepping out in faith even when everything within us screams to do what we want. 

Read Romans 12:19. What does this verse say about revenge?

What are we to leave room for?

Revenge is a major motivator. When we are hurt, or someone we love is hurt, we want to take matters into our own hands. Instead, we must allow God to take the action required against the one who caused the pain. Allowing God to act on our behalf is the best way to receive complete and true justice. 

There are many motives that lead to sin. There is only one motive that leads to sinlessness and that is being an obedient servant of our Master. Going against God’s will for our lives blocks blessing from the hand of God. He wants our best. Our ultimate purpose in life is to bring glory and honor to Him, not to ourselves. He desires a pure heart and mind. Our focus must remain on Him even in hard times. This is faith, acting on His will even when we don’t know the end results first. 

Consider your motives when you find yourself in tough situation and need to know what to do. Don’t rush into a fight with guns blazing. Open your heart and ask God, with a humble heart, to guide you in the way He wants you to act. It only takes one step, one act of faith in our Master Jesus.

The Book of James Week Three Lesson Five

“Two Kinds of Wisdom”

   “If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

   But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.”

 James 3:13-18

So far this week we’ve studied about taking action in our lives as Christians ~ belief + action = faith; two examples of faithful ones who came before us ~ Abraham and Rahab; how to recognize false teachers and how to be a faithful teacher in your own world; taming the tongue and how we should use it to praise our God and not bring down curses. Today we are going to learn about wisdom. James teaches us about two different kinds of wisdom.

Read James 3:13-18. What two kinds of wisdom does James teach us about:

1. _____________________
2. _____________________

James goes on to describe the two kinds of wisdom. Take this time to list aspects you find for each:

Earthly Wisdom                                                      Heavenly Wisdom 

Earthly Wisdom

Read 2 Corinthians 1:17. What did Christ send Paul to do?

How was he to preach?

Why?

Earthly wisdom cannot see the full picture that the cross of Christ Jesus paints. It makes no sense according to the world’s wisdom. It has no explanation for why Christ had to die for the sins of man. This kind of wisdom says we don’t need a Savior and there is no more to living than what we are living now. Wisdom, that comes from mankind, tells us we have all the power we need within us and we don’t need to believe in someone more powerful.

Read 1 Corinthians 1:18a. What is the message of the cross to the perishing? Why?

Heavenly Wisdom

Read 1 Corinthians 1:18b. What is the message of the cross to those being saved? Why?

The power of God is displayed in the power that raised Jesus from the dead. This same power rolled away the stone that held the body of Jesus. At the moment that death was conquered on the cross of Christ, mankind had hope. Jesus is the link between us and our Creator. Without Him eternal death is all we have to look forward to. He has made a way where there is no way. This is heavenly wisdom, knowing and believing that this world is temporary and that we need a Savior to save us from the deathtrap of sin.

Read Romans 1:16. What is Paul not ashamed of?

What does he mean by the “gospel”

The wisdom of heaven is God’s wisdom. In His wisdom He saw fit to make a way for everyone to have a relationship with Him. Jesus is that way. He is the perfect payment for the penalty of death we are due for our sin. Without this payment we are hopelessly  separated from God. The wisdom of this world doesn’t believe that our actions can lead to an eternal death, therefore, there is no need for a Savior.

Read 1 Corinthians 2:14. What can’t a person without the Holy Spirit accept the truths that come from Him?

The wisdom of this earth thinks that the message of the cross is foolishness. It is evident in the things we hear on the radio, newspapers and books, not to mention the internet and movies. There are movie stars and entertainers degrading and cursing the Name of the Holy One. 

John MacArthur says this about earthly and heavenly wisdom:

   “Now this wonderful text is a text about wisdom. It contrasts earthly and heavenly wisdom. Now keep in mind that wisdom is the next test of true saving living faith. James is laying out a series of tests by which a person can verify the genuineness of their faith. And this is the next in that list. He is telling his readers that those who are truly saved, those who genuinely know God, those who possess a living faith have a certain kind of wisdom. In other words, their spiritual conversion is manifest in their wisdom. Wisdom is evidence of what kind of a person you are and I am.

   And wisdom, remind yourself, does not mean knowledge. It does not mean information. It means the application of knowledge with divine power to the reshaping of life, transforming attitudes, transforming behavior into righteousness. Wisdom then is not what I know, wisdom is how I live. And so how I live according to the wisdom of God is a barometer on my spiritual condition.” 

If you claim to be a believer in Jesus, then the wisdom of this world should not be the basis on which you build your life. Rather, heavenly wisdom must be the foundation on which you live. It may not make sense to the world, but to a believer, heavenly wisdom is truth and the only way to believe.

Read Matthew 7:24-28. What does Jesus say about hearing (taking in, believing Him) and putting them into practice?

How does Jesus describe the wise and the foolish?

If a person decides to follow the heavenly wisdom of Christ what is the benefit? 

What warning does Jesus give to the foolish?

We would be wise to drop our reliance on the wisdom of this world. It sits on the shifting sand of believing we are strong enough and smart enough to be our own god. The wisdom of Jesus is solid and immovable. 

I love how Jesus uses such vivid illustrations. He paints a picture of someone building their home. Our homes are one of the most important things for us besides our loved ones. It costs us to build, so if our house is lost it is devastating. Jesus used this illustration because He knew we could relate to losing something of great value. It takes wisdom to build a home in the right location and with a solid foundation. The same holds true for the most important building project we will have; the building of our lives. Without a solid foundation and a great location near the heart of our Savior we build on unstable ground. Jesus offers Himself as a solid rock for us to build on. 

Read Isaiah 28:16. What does God lay in Zion? Describe it.

What is promised to the person who places all their trust in this stone?

See how God uses building terms in this passage? Heavenly wisdom directs us to build on a sure foundation. Earthly wisdom tells us to go for the best view. God promises there is good results when we choose His wisdom. “Cornerstone” is a term He uses.The definition of a cornerstone is a stone placed on level ground that joins two connecting walls. 

Jesus is the Cornerstone. He is level, strong and connects us to God. On some cornerstones there is an engraving that describes who built the structure. Those of us who choose to connect ourselves to Jesus, our Cornerstone, choose heavenly wisdom and our lives are engraved with His Name. Our lives are solid even when storms hit and we are shaken by the earthquakes of life.

John Piper has this to say about Jesus as our Cornerstone:

"Behold I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, and he who believes in Him shall not be disappointed." (Isaiah 28:16) The point here is that if you trust Christ, God's Cornerstone, you will not be disappointed. This stone will not prove faulty. If you build your life on this stone, your life will not crumble in the storm. If you hide behind this stone, you will be safe. If you stand on the truth of this stone, you will not be ashamed. If you join with others in the spiritual house built on this stone, you will be proud of your foundation and your fellowship will stand.” 

My question to you is this, “What will you choose; heavenly or earthly wisdom” Everyday we have choices to make. Those who love and serve Jesus rest on His solid foundation. Sometimes we choose earthly wisdom and see our decisions end in disaster. We have the foundation to make the right choice. Our options are always ours to decide. Why not go to the One who we trust our lives with and make the right choice according to His plan and purpose for us? He alone is solid and secure. Decisions based on earthly wisdom leads to shaky ground. Choose Him. With Jesus, even when trouble comes, we remain on solid, unshakable ground.

The Book of James Week Three Lesson Four

“A Single Spark”

   “In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.

   People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.”

 James 3:5-8

I live in Colorado and we often have forest fires, especially during a drought, They all have one thing in common. They are all started from a single source, a spark, be it a match or a lightening strike. It doesn’t take long for the fire to spread destroying everything in its path.

Read James 3:5-8. How does James describe the tongue?

Why can’t the tongue be tamed?

Even though the tongue is a small, seemingly insignificant part of the body, it, like a small spark, can destroy. It causes minds to change, feelings to be hurt, lies to be spread. When used for evil it can be produce disaster.

Read Proverbs 16:27. Who creates trouble?

How is their speech described?

The Hebrew word for “scoundrel” is “beliyya’al” and is the root word for “Belial” and stands for “Satan.” It means “worthless, scorn, distain.” When we use our tongues in a hurtful manner self-seeking manner, our speech is worthless, full of scorn and distain. 

Our words indicate the condition of our hearts. When we aren’t obedient to God, then we aren’t living in righteousness. Our words are opposed to the ways of our Master Jesus. It’s a dangerous place to reside. We must be careful in how we use our tongues.

Read Psalm 51:10-12. What is David’s prayer in this Psalm?

This Psalm was written as a result of King David being confronted by Samuel, a prophet of God, about the lies David told in order to cover up his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband. David used his tongue for lies and now was using his tongue for praise.

A pure heart and a steadfast spirit from God are the only cure for a loose tongue. When we sin in our speech, we must go to God and ask the same thing David did. God’s Spirit is steadfast within each believer. The more we seek God, when we feel like we want to say something, asking Him for the go-ahead to speak or the will to keep from speaking, the easier it becomes to hold our tongues. It becomes a good habit.

Read James 3:9-12. What two things does James tell us comes out of our mouths?

1. 
   
2. 
   

John Bunyan has a character called Talkative in the book Pilgrim’s Progress. He describes Talkative like this, “He is a saint abroad and a devil at home.” That describes many of us. I know that I love the Lord and tend to show it easier to those outside the realm of those I love the most. At home I can be hard to live with at times, but to the rest of the world I can seem so very nice. How about you? Sound familiar?

I remember when my twins were growing up and I’d get them ready for church. In the winter months we’d have to bundle-up against the cold of South Dakota’s winters. Sometimes I would get really frustrated trying to get them and myself ready for to go.

Once, when I was struggling to zip Katie’s coat, the zipper got stuck. Through clinched teeth I said, “Come on you blasted zipper!” It happened almost every time I put her coat on. On one Sunday, I got the zipper stuck again and before I could say it little Katie blurted out, “Blasted zipper!” It struck me how my tongue was so angry at home and when we got to church it changed right into praise for God. What was I teaching my kids? 

It’s not uncommon. Everyone has this problem of being a devil at home and a saint abroad like the character Talkative. We go to church in the morning to praise and worship our Lord, but can cuss the guy out in the car in front of us for going too slow. How can two different things come from the same mouth? Let’s study the two aspects of the tongue that James talks about.

Praises to God

Read Psalm 103:1-6. Write out the benefits of God we should remember when we praise Him.

Godly people should remember the benefits we receive from God when we praise Him. We soon forget those benefits after we spend time praising Him. It takes effort and dependence on Him to keep our mind on Him. The more we do it, the more we think to praise Him instead of cursing others.

Curses of Men

Read Romans 12:14. What does Jesus teach us in this verse?

Godly people should not curse others. By cursing others we are actually asking God to bring His judgment and wrath down on them. We’re trying to use God as our weapon against those we are angry with. Jesus had words to say about this. He told us to love our neighbor as ourselves. 

Read Matthew 5:43-48. What saying does Jesus add to?

What does He add to it?

What happens when we do as Jesus says?

What are we to be?

How can we be perfect? The Greek word for “perfect” is “teleios” and means “that which  has been achieved, or reached its goal, purpose, complete.” We are being made perfect. Our objective is to reach the goal that Christ set as a perfect example. Being made perfect is a process and is learned through obedience to God by following Christ’s example.

In conclusion, how are we going to use our tongues? Are we going to depend on the Holy Spirit as we work at the perfecting of our faith? Are we willing to be saint in all areas of our lives as we walk by faith?

It is my prayer today that what I say will bring praise and honor to Jesus and not curses on others. I can’t do it on my own, but have to fully rely on Him for the power to live as He requires me to as His child. How about you? Are you ready to rely on Him and not on yourself when it comes to using your tongue? Without Him it is impossible. With God all things are possible.

The Book of James Week Three Lesson Three

“Watch Out for the Fault Line”

“Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.”

 James 3:1-2

We’ve all had teachers who have either bored us to tears or moved us to learn. The role of a teacher is vital, especially those who teach God’s Word. As a Bible teacher myself I understand the importance of being a good and godly teacher to those who are Christians as well as those who are seeking to know more about Jesus. It is a role I do not take lightly. Teaching humbles me ~ oh boy does it humble me! Often I ask myself why did God put this desire in a person like me who messes up so much. I have to keep on my knees and remember its not about me, its about Jesus, who has charged me with the task of helping others understand the Bible and come into a closer walk with Him. I have so much to learn and even more reason to hold tight to Jesus. I stand in awe of the ultimate Teacher, my Lord Jesus.

Today’s lesson hits home. It raises my awareness of how much importance God places on His Word and how it is taught. The Bible warns against false teachers. It also reminds those who teach, who lead churches, or are in authority over others to check their egos at the door and humble themselves before the mighty hand of God.

 We must bow to Jesus as our Master and remain faithful in unswerving obedience.

Each Christian represents the Word of God to the world they live in. Our actions and words are often all some people see of Jesus. Even if you don’t stand over a congregation or a bible study, you are still held accountable for what your life teaches about Jesus.

Read James 3:1. How will teachers of God’s Word be judged?

In the history of the early church many of the apostles were always on the move and didn’t stay in one place for long. Their scope of ministry was the Church Body and helping start churches. After they set up the church in a town, appointed teachers and leaders, they left to plant another church. The teachers would teach the people the facts of the Gospel message. The role of the teacher was very important because of the impression they made on the people. Some teachers failed and became false teachers. 

They allowed the influence of the culture and pressures of society to creep into their messages. Not much different than some churches today. 

Read 1 Timothy 1:3-7. Who did Paul want Timothy to stop in the church at Ephesus?

What did these false teachers teach?

What was the purpose of Paul’s instruction in Ephesus?

Paul didn’t want his prodigy, Timothy, to allow the people in the Church at Ephesus to waste their time listening to things that took their focus of what really mattered, the Gospel message of new life in Christ. 

Church todays get off topic and onto other teachings, that appear to have importance and may well have a semblance of importance, distract from what is of ultimate importance ~ bringing people to know Jesus. This allows for false teachings and false preachers (and teachers) into positions of influence in the church.

Read 2 Timothy 4:3. What does the Apostle Paul warn Timothy about in this verse?

Can you think of things that people really want to hear as opposed to the true teachings of the Bible?

Here are some indicators of false teaching. Though this is not a complete list, hopefully it will help you in discerning who you should watch out for:

1. There are false teachers who place rocks in the baggage of religion. They turn the relationship with Christ Jesus into a burden by placing ritual and works about freedom found in Jesus. 

TRUTH:  In Christ Jesus we live in freedom.

2. There are false teachers who do not live what they teach. On the surface their words ring with a semblance of truth but under their teaching lies a life opposed to God. 

TRUTH: In Christ Jesus we live in Truth.

3. There are false teachers who teach that do not really know or understand what they teach. They are immature in their faith and do not spend time learning and praying. Often their teaching is filled with things the Bible doesn’t teach.

TRUTH: In Christ Jesus there is fellowship and learning in Him.

4. There are teachers who are afraid to offend and only teach a sugared version of the Bible. Like cotton candy, all fluffed up and pretty, it holds no last nourishment and leaves  people hungrier than before.

TRUTH: In Christ Jesus there is conviction and life-giving sustenance.

Just because a person isn’t preaching on stage or behind a pulpit on Sundays, they are not off the hook. Every believers is a teacher to some extent. We reflect who Jesus is to the world we live in. If we are parents, we teach our children about Jesus by our words and actions. If we have co-workers or employees we teach others about Jesus by how we conduct ourselves at work. So with that said let’s study the areas we must be so careful.

There are two important areas we should watch in our lives as believers as we live out our faith for our world to see:

1. Our opinions. Always teach God’s truth. Always use speak what we know about the Word of God and not something that sounds good when we tell other about Him. Keep it simple and direct the conversation back to the Good News of Jesus Christ.
2. Our actions. Live a godly life according to God’s truth. Treat others with God’s love and respect. Imitate the actions of Jesus. Love God, love others.

James reminds all who teach that we should never forget our responsibilities. Take a moment to think about your own life and how you influence those around you. Ask the Lord to help you be the best influence you can be in your world.

False teachers are very active in this world, even in our churches. We need to be very aware of the aspects of false teachers and be on guard. Remain in obedience to Jesus and in prayer and study of the Bible so that you can more easily recognize false teaching.

Read James 3:2. What does every person do?

What organ do we all have, if controlled, would lead us to live a godly life?

Have you heard the phrase, “Open mouth, insert foot”? My phrase should say, “Open mouth, change feet” sometimes. Do you know what I mean? If only my big foot would muffle my words, then I wouldn’t get into so much trouble. Seriously, its a common problem with all of us. We can create havoc with our mouths.

James gives two truths in the first two verses of James 3. They were and are part of Jewish thought, culture and scripture. So when he mentioned the “tongue” the people understood what he was talking about. He was reminding them of what they already knew, the tongue is a dangerous thing often leading us into sin and sin is what separates us from God. They made millions of sacrifices throughout the ages for the sins brought about by the sins of the tongue.

Two Truths from James

1. Sin is present in everyone’s lives. We all mess up. “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”

Read Galatians 3:22. Who is a prisoner of sin?

What is promised to those who place their hope through faith in Jesus?

We all sin and our only hope is found in placing our faith in Jesus as the only Redeemer. He alone makes a way for us to escape the inevitable result of sin that leads to death and total separation from God. He is our Holy Reprieve. God knows we are all sinners. However, just because we all sin doesn’t make it ok. God knows we can’t make it to Him without a redeemer so He gave us the perfect Redeemer ~ Jesus. 

2. Control the tongue. Keep your actions in check. “Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.”

Whatever trips the switch that unleashes the tongue is a stumbling block to ourselves and those around us. Maybe you are better at holding your tongue that I am. James tells us that it is possible to do it. Through trust in Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit it is possible. When we control our words and allow His words to be spoken, our actions reflect Jesus.

Do you see? It is very difficult to hold your tongue on your own. The current is too strong. We are swept away by it. But, when we choose to walk with Jesus and remain obedient to Him, He gives us the words to say or not to say. All we have to do is ask Him. His Holy Spirit dwells within each believer and He is strong and can hold the flood waters back.

Read the following passages below that describe the tongue. Write out what you find in these passages:

Psalm 45:1

Psalm 52:2

Proverbs 12:18

Proverbs 15:15

Our words indicate not only our mental intelligence, but also the condition of our hearts toward Jesus. When we stumble, or strike our proverbial big toe against something that gets in our way, words can tumble out. Words that should not see the light of day spew forth. The sin of the mouth reflects the condition of the heart. 

Its our choice. What words are we going to allow to come out of our mouths? Are they words of hurt or words of healing? Are they words of godly correction directed by His Spirit, or are they words that cut and put down? Are they words of peace and praise of our Lord, or are they words they draw attention to our self-importance? 

Be careful what words you listen to and words you say. Be aware of the teaching at your church and teachers you may study under. By faith choose His words and actions over your own. Allow His Holy Spirit to direct your thoughts and speech. It’s a fault line. Watch out. Trust God and walk boldly on in your life.