Posted on August 5, 2015
James: Faith Meets Reality—Live Out Your Faith!
Today we wrap up our study of James. Thanks for joining me as we’ve learned how Faith Meets Reality. I’ve enjoyed sharing this journey with you, and am already looking forward to the next study that brings us together!
Our lives are full of challenges that test and stretch and grow our faith. Whether we’ve been walking with Christ for a month, a decade, or a lifetime, we may find ourselves struggling at times to maintain trust in God or to figure out how godly faith handles practical daily circumstances. The letter of James was written to Christians who knew that struggle, who had faced obstacles great and small, and who were learning to honor God through them all.
James provides a “checklist” to help Christians judge the mettle of the faith we profess. Lip service won’t do; we need faith that works in the real world. Faith that produces “fruit.” Faith that can be seen in the way we live life.
Look at this fifteen-point faith assessment from James. How does your faith stand up to this test? Do you have faith that
- endures trials, developing patience and godly wisdom through them? James 1:2-12.
- understands temptation, refusing to be fooled by satan’s schemes, or to slide into sin? Instead, it is equipped to resist the devil, acting as a shield (Eph. 6:16). James 1:13-18.
- obeys the Word, both hearing and doing it? Genuine faith should change you. It should affect your decisions, your attitudes, your behavior, your relationships—in short, every part of you. James 1:19-27.
- is impartial? It refuses to be influenced by favoritism or swayed by prejudice. James 2:1-13.
- displays itself in visible works? It lets its light shine! James 2:14-26.
- controls its tongue, not allowing harmful words to flow unrestricted? Instead, it uses words to build and strengthen. James 3:1-12.
- acts wisely, with wisdom that finds its source in heaven? James 3:13-18.
- chooses friendship with God over friendship with the world? James 4:1-4.
- acts humbly and dependently upon God? James 4:5-10.
- refuses to act as judge—taking on a role that belongs only to God—instead choosing to encourage and uplift others? James 4:11-12.
- causes you to do what you know to be good? James 4:13-17.
- handles wealth responsibly, using its blessings to bring God glory? James 5:1-6.
- looks forward in hope to Christ’s return? James 5:7-8.
- stifles complaining when under pressure, and instead prays? James 5:9-18.
- motives you to actively love—and sometimes even rescue—others? James 5:19-20.
Use this checklist to read through the book of James one more time, noting how James fleshes out each point. Pick your three strongest areas, praising God for building those aspects of your faith. Then raise to God your three weakest areas, seeking His power to help your faith grow.
My favorite verse in James is one you’ve hopefully memorized during this study. James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the victor’s crown—the life God has promised to those who love Him.” Are you reaching for the victor’s crown, actively striving in the midst of life’s real struggles to build up your faith? The reward will be well worth the effort. Don’t give up. Live out your faith!
Thanks again for sharing this study with me. We’ll begin a new study in September, with a weekly post each Wednesday. In the meantime, I’d encourage you to read back through each of the posts in James: Faith Meets Reality. If you’ve missed learning some of the memory verses or skipped looking up some of the Bible references, take the time to do it now. Solidify in your mind the ultra-practical teaching of James, trying to absorb all you can to build up your faith. See you in September!
© Diane McLoud 2015
Posted on July 29, 2015
James 5:13-20—Rescue for the Weary
How would you define the difference between being tired and being weary? Think about it for a moment. Have you ever been bone-dead-weary, worn out from a lengthy struggle of some kind?
Listen to a good description of weariness in these lyrics from the song Worn, by Tenth Avenue North:
I’m tired, I’m worn; my heart is heavy
from the work it takes to keep on breathing.
I’ve made mistakes, I’ve let my hope fail.
My soul feels crushed by the weight of this world.
I know I need to lift my eyes up,
but I’m too weak; life just won’t let up.
And I know that You can give me rest,
So I cry out with all that I have left,
Let me see redemption win,
let me know the struggle ends—
that You can mend a heart that’s frail and torn.
I wanna know a song can rise
from the ashes of a broken life
and all that’s dead inside can be reborn
’cause I’m worn.*
Today’s study in James was written with the weary in mind. Open your Bible and read James 5. Then back up and reread 5:13-20, making note of James’ prompts to pray. How can prayer help the weary? Read More
Posted on July 22, 2015
James 5:7-12—Prepare To… Wait!
You’ve heard people joke, “Never pray for patience!” I’ve not met a single person who likes to wait, who enjoys being patient—and I’ll bet you haven’t either.
When we ask for something, we want it now—if not sooner! Being forced to wait puts us on edge and often brings out the worst in us. Today’s passage in James is evidence this is nothing new! James’ readers struggled with circumstances that didn’t resolve quickly—and they chafed at the wait, just like we do.
So James spends a few minutes teaching how true faith handles time in God’s waiting room.
Get your Bible and read James 5:7-12, then seat that passage in its context by reading all of James 5. Make a mental note of how often some form of the words patience and endurance occur.
Someone said there are two seasons in life: a season of peace, and a season of waiting for peace. I believe that’s true. We seem to spend many of our days in the midst of one situation or another that taxes our patience and tears at our faith, while there are far fewer days of peace.
What can we do while waiting for peace? Here’s what James said.
- Be patient. James pictures a farmer—a familiar sight to his readers. They understood how ludicrous it would be for a farmer to rush his crops. Instead, the farmer sows his seed expecting to wait through one or two rainy seasons until the crops are ready. Then he harvests. Not one moment before. In patience, we have the will to wait out our troubles, just like the farmer waits out the rains.
- Be patient, if necessary, until the coming of the Lord. In other words, not every situation will see a resolution in this life. It may seem discouraging in a way, but God knows there are times when the best gift He can give us is to take us Home. This is where the rubber meets the road, in trusting Him to do what is right for us 100% of the time.
- Strengthen your heart. The word for strengthen actually means to “fix” or “position” your heart, so you won’t be moved when the wind blows. We should be working at this in peaceful times, so when circumstances shift we’re ready to stand firm—preparing today for whatever tomorrow brings. But we can also strengthen our hearts while in troubled times. We can cry out to the Lord for help, and we can spend time in His Word, a primary source of encouragement and faith (Rom. 10:17 and 15:4). We can’t allow troubles to pull us away from the Word just when we need it most. Be proactive about Bible study and prayer as the best ways to strengthen your heart.
- Don’t complain against each other. Let’s be honest: stress can make us irritable and whiny. Relationships (including marriages) can suffer. The words of others grate on us—especially platitudes or well-intentioned advice we’re in no mood to hear (even if it’s right; sometimes, especially if it’s right!). We’re tempted to unleash the petty complaints. This is a great time to pray, “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord, keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Ps. 141:3) Let your words be few and carefully chosen. Stay as positive as you can, and don’t let whining diminish your witness. People are watching how you handle difficulties; if they see you acting like God is failing you, acting like your fellow Christians are just an added burden, acting like no one has ever before suffered quite like this—they will feel no pull toward a victorious life of faith!
- Look to great examples of faith-under-duress. James cites the prophets and Job as biblical models of endurance; their examples brought hope then and now. In addition, God may have introduced you to modern-day examples of endurance and faith. Look to them. Ask them to share how they held out in their own time of testing. Invite them to pray with/for you. They can tell you firsthand of “the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” (Jas. 5:11)
- Don’t swear oaths or make rash vows. At first glance this verse seems oddly placed, until we think of our “Lord, if you’ll just get me out of this, I’ll……..” moments. Our faithful service to God should be more than a bribe, baiting Him to rescue us from discomfort. Usually such vows are quickly forgotten once a crisis ends. Then we find ourselves guilty of breaking promises made to God—possibly subjecting ourselves to a new level of judgment.
Wherever you are at present—whether in a season of peace or a season of waiting for peace—remember that your life’s purpose is to glorify your Lord. You may be seeking Him from a hospital room, an unemployment line, a family crisis, a church-family crisis, an unexpected loss, a series of bad choices, or any number of other difficulties. Whatever the case, get on your knees and ask for His help. Then patiently wait on the Lord with grace and courage as He strengthens your heart.
This Week…
- Add two more verses to your store of MVs from James by learning James 5:8 and 5:12. (If you want to really arm yourself for times of testing, there’s no better way than to memorize scripture. It’s time well spent. Don’t skip the memory work! Write each verse out on a Post-It note or a little card, and review your cards often. You can do this!)
- Are you currently in a season of peace, or in a season of waiting for peace? Pray through today’s six teachings from James in light of your personal circumstance. Then choose one to focus on this week, making special effort to put it into practice.
- Read James in its entirety, than reread James 5:13-20 in preparation for next week’s study. I’m looking forward to joining you next Wednesday as we finish up James 5. Have a great week!
© Diane McLoud 2015
Posted on July 15, 2015
James 5:1-6—What Is and What Should Be
I once heard a great story about Tony Campolo (a well-known Christian teacher and activist who—for the record—has taken a recent stance on several moral issues that fails to match the biblical quality of his early ministry). He was to speak at a gathering of about 300 women. Before he was introduced, the conference leader read a letter from a mission, presenting an emergency need of $4000. The leader then asked Campolo to pray for that need before he spoke. He stunned the group by refusing. Instead, he opened his wallet and put its contents on the table—then challenged the women to do the same. Before the meeting ended, the ladies had covered that $4000 need plus much more.
What if Campolo hadn’t pushed for action? Though the means to meet the request were right there in the room, the women would probably have been content to “pray” without acting, leaving the mission in a state of emergency.
Earlier in our study of James, we read, “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (2:14-17, NIV)
In today’s passage, James returns to the gap between words and deeds—between what is and what should be. Let’s take a look. Grab your Bible and read James 5:1-6.
In these verses, James addresses wealthy people (including both believers and nonbelievers) who were using the gentled faith of the Christians to exploit them. His words are some of the strongest in the New Testament. The writer and social reformer Upton Sinclair once read this passage to a group of ministers, disguising it by attributing it to a famous social agitator; the ministers reacted with instant anger, wanting to deport its “author”! (How sad that a group of ministers didn’t recognize this as scripture!)
James issues a powerful two-part warning to rich oppressors.
- Understand that God knows how you gain your wealth. His ears have heard the cries of those you’ve hurt in the process. (v. 4)
- Understand that God knows how you use your wealth. If you’re hoarding what you ought to be sharing, you’re creating your own indictment. Your stockpile will testify against you in the last day. (v. 3)
We may read these verses and think, “That’s not me. I’m certainly not rich!” Newsflash: By the standards of 80% of the world, you are rich! If you have in your possession
• food for more than two meals
• a car (yes, we’ll only count one)
• a dwelling with lights, heat, and clean water (indoor plumbing)
• more than two outfits of clothing
you have way more than most of the world’s population.
The truth is, we American women can look at a closet stuffed with clothes and moan that we have nothing to wear. We can look at cupboards full of food and groan that we have nothing to eat. Russian comedian Yakov Smirnoff jokes of his wonder at Americans who rent storage units, paying to keep things they don’t want or use!
We are greatly blessed. With great blessing comes great responsibility. Despite our excuses, most of us can do way more than we think we can—and will be further blessed by God when we do it.
So let’s talk about the warning in James 5:1-6.
- In gaining wealth: Will you stand before God on the last day feeling indicted by or proud of your financial practices? Are you accumulating money on the backs of other people? If you’re an employer or business owner, are your workers treated fairly? paid well? Do you fatten your purse while your employees’ families struggle to make ends meet? Could you trade places with them without suffering? What can you do to better honor Him with your position and possessions?
- In using wealth: Are you faithfully tithing your income, giving ten percent to God? (God calls every Christian to this minimum, whether you consider yourself rich or poor or somewhere in between.) When you learn of a need—especially a need of a Christian brother or sister—do you move to help or do you offer to pray for them while hiding your bank book? Are you hoarding wealth while people you know are doing without things they need? Would you describe yourself as generous? If you showed God your spending record and your giving record, would He describe you as generous?
This study series is titled Faith Meets Reality. The reality is most of us have more than we need, and are very able to share. God is pleased when we open our hearts and our pocketbooks to the needs around us. Let’s make sure that our use of wealth is honoring Him, and that what is matches what should be.
This Week…
- Review the verses you’ve committed to memory thus far. You’ve learned fifteen—which is awesome! See if you can quote James 1:2-3, 12, 17, 22; 2:13, 17, 26; 3:7-8, 17; and 4:7, 10, 12 and 17. Now throw in an extra verse—Hebrews 13:16—which says, “Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
- Look at your last three bank statements. Lay them out before the Lord. Ask Him to show you areas where you can honor Him better. Perhaps you need to tithe. Maybe you’ve become aware of a need you could help meet. Maybe you’re an employer who could be more generous with employees. Give God a chance to speak to your heart about your wealth.
- Read James 5:7-12 before next week’s study. Then read, once again, the whole book of James—listening to the Spirit’s teaching voice as you read. I’ll meet you here again next Wednesday!
© Diane McLoud 2015
Posted on July 8, 2015
James 4:13-17—Deo Volente
Are you a list-maker? Time-management experts insist that lists are vital if we want to accomplish something with our days. They promise, keep a to-do list and you’ll get things done!
I see the logic, but I’ve discovered a problem with lists. My list can make me impatient with any “interruption” that’s not in my plan. I begin to think I’m in charge, with no thought for what my Father might have planned.
For this reason, I love what a friend did with her daily to-do list. She wrote “DV” in large bold letters at the top. The letters stand for the Latin phrase Deo Volente—”If God wills.” Her list was always written under this heading as a reminder that her plan for each day was subject to change, depending on what God had in store for her that day.
Welcome to our study James: Faith Meets Reality. Today, we’re finishing chapter four of the New Testament letter written by James—where we’re brought face to face with who’s really in charge of our days. Get your Bible and read James 4:13-17.
Posted on July 1, 2015
James 4:11-12—No Right to Judge
Suppose… You enter a courtroom by way of the judge’s chamber door. You’re wearing the judge’s robe and wielding his gavel. You sit down in his chair behind the bench. You speak forcefully, calling the courtroom to order. Still, no matter how authentic you appear to be, unless you’re vested with the proper authority you’re not a judge—you’re an imposter. You won’t be respected—you’ll be arrested!
We all understand this is how a courtroom works. We would never presume to act as judge because we know that’s not our place. Yet we often make a much more serious presumption without hesitating.
Posted on June 24, 2015
James 4:7-10—The Ten Commandments of James or How To Get Close to God
Most anyone who knows anything about the Bible has heard of the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments are the foundation of the Old Testament Law, a summary of how to be close to a holy Almighty God. The rest of the Law fleshed out those brief commandments and “filled in the blanks.”
Today’s passage in James contains ten commandments too—commandments that also sum up how to draw near to God. James’ letter contains many Greek imperatives (commands), but this passage is especially direct—ten terse tight statements about the actions and attitudes that please our holy God.
Let’s take a look. Get your Bible and read James 4:7-10, then start at the beginning of chapter four and read through the whole chapter to put these four verses in their context. Do you want to be close to God? Here’s the exciting truth: these verses tell you how to get there!
Posted on June 10, 2015
James 4:1-7—When Answers Don’t Come
Tonya* wanted a better job. She’d prayed a long time for a position that would be higher-paying and physically less taxing than her current job. She brought the need to our prayer group. We began to pray with her.
After several dead ends when God appeared to be saying “no”, an opportunity opened that seemed tailored to Tonya’s needs. The hours were perfect, she would have weekends off, the pay was significantly higher than she was presently earning, and benefits were included—something she’d never had before. We were all thrilled for her! We praised God together when she was offered the job.
Within weeks, Tonya began accepting weekend overtime that made it impossible for her to attend church. She moved to a larger apartment and bought a new car, which increased her “need” for overtime. One year later, she had left her church life and our prayer group behind. Where she now stands spiritually is between her and the Lord, but her life no longer bears evidence of an active faith.
More about Tonya’s story in a moment. First, let’s take a look at today’s scripture. Read James 4:1-7. Then (keeping in mind that the original letter written by James wasn’t divided into chapters and verses) back up to the end of chapter three. Read 3:18—4:7. Does bridging the chapter gap affect your understanding of this passage?
Sometimes we’re puzzled why we don’t get what we want/need. We pray and pray, yet no answer comes. James gives three possible reasons why. (The Bible gives several other potential blocks to answered prayer; these are apparently the ones James’ audience most needed to hear.) Struggling with unanswered prayer? Take an honest look inside. Might any of these apply?
• Brutal drive for desires (vs 2) – Lust and envy were causing James’ readers to fight, quarrel and even murder. Understand that this verse was not written about nonChristians mistreating Christians. This behavior was between brothers! (For instance, check out Philippians 1:15-17—a description of mistreatment Paul had experienced at the hands of fellow preachers hoping to create trouble for Paul, who was already imprisoned in Rome.) It was shameful then and now—a far cry from the Spirit-filled conduct that should characterize Christians. We must not fulfill desires by clawing and scratching, but by asking God. We need to check our motives and our methods: are they peaceable and holy, or contentious and divisive?
• Irresponsible use of a “yes” (vs 3) – Sadly, this was Tonya’s problem. She passionately pursued God until He gave her what she wanted—then she got so busy pursuing “pleasures” that she disappeared off the spiritual radar. Sometimes God, who knows our hearts, sees that a “yes” will do us more harm than good, so withholds a yes for our protection. When He does grant our desire, we need to appreciate the blessing and handle it correctly.
• Unwillingness to commit our way to God (vs 4-6) – Notice the title James calls his readers: adulterers, harlots, whores. When we go after what we want without regard for what God wants, we betray the commitment we’ve made to Him. We’re unfaithful to Him. In essence, we commit adultery with the world—valuing our fleshly desires more than we value our God. He is jealous for us, the ones in whom He has placed His Spirit. He wants our wholehearted commitment, and He will not accept second place.
When your persistent prayer goes unanswered, make sure none of these three factors figure in. Submit your desires to God, refusing to let satan lure you into spiritual adultery (vs 7). Keep the faith!
This Week…
• Work on memorizing James 4:7, a short, easy (but power-packed!) verse to learn. While you’re at it, review verses from previous weeks. Those would include James 1:2-3, 12, 17, 22; 2:13, 17, 26; and 3:7-8, 17, plus any others you’ve chosen to learn. You’ve now committed to memory about 11% of the book of James. Good job!
• Do you have a long-term prayer that so far remains unanswered? Consider it in light of this scripture. Is there a possible connection?
• Read James 4:7-10, then read chapter four. Finally, read the entire book of James. Do you see how 4:7-10 fits the book’s big picture? See you next week!
*Not her real name.
© Diane McLoud 2015
Posted on June 3, 2015
James—The New Testament’s Proverbs
This has been a trying week for our family—our own chance to “consider it all joy” (James 1:2)! We’ve admitted my mom, who suffers from dementia, to a nursing facility. It’s been a six-year journey—one some of you have probably traveled with parents or grandparents. Because of the time, energy, and emotion involved, I’m postponing the study of James 4:1-7 until next Wednesday, choosing instead to give us all a mission from James. You’ll be in my prayers this week, as you pursue God’s wisdom for the challenges in your life!
At one time or another, we all face trouble that makes us feel clueless, helpless, lost. In those moments, we acutely feel our own smallness—and our need for God’s greatness. When we don’t have answers but we believe He does, we’re motivated to search for His wisdom with an urgency we may never have felt before.
The Old Testament book of Proverbs begins with a warning about the struggles life can bring—along with persuasion to make a quest for wisdom our top priority. So does the New Testament book of James. This is just one of several similarities these books share.
Listen to these words from Proverbs 2:1-10 (NIV).
“My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding,
and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom,
and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He holds victory in store for the upright,
He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
for He guards the course of the just
and protects the way of His faithful ones.
Then you will understand what is right and just
and fair—every good path.
For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.”
This is an intense call to go after wisdom—to
• turn your ear to it
• apply your heart to it
• call out for it
• cry aloud for it
• look for it
• search for it.
When you do, “then you will understand.”
James echoes that call, urging us to ask God for the wisdom we lack. What if we pursued wisdom with the heat and passion of Proverbs 2, through the “vehicle” of prayer? Very few of us have ever prayed that intensely for anything! God longs to pour His wisdom into any of us willing to really seek it. James says God will not only grant wisdom—He will grant it generously, without finding fault.
What challenge are you facing right this moment? Do you need a large dose of wisdom? understanding? insight?
On a sheet of paper, name your challenge in writing. Then write three aspects of that challenge for which you need wisdom. This week spend time each day in prayer, pleading for God to give you wisdom in those three specific aspects. Give it your whole heart, as Proverbs 2 says. Call out to Him. Cry aloud. Look, search for His wisdom. And listen (turn your ear) to His answer. Watch as the promises of Proverbs and James begin to unfold in your life!
© Diane McLoud 2015
Posted on May 27, 2015
James 3:13-18—Two Ways to be Wise
Last week’s study covered control of our tongues—an uncomfortable subject that steps on our toes. At some point we’ve all spoken words we regret, words that hurt someone, words that set off a sad chain reaction.
This two-line lyric from Christian musician Matt Theissen expresses the problem well:
“I’ve never broken bones with a stone or a stick
but I’ve conjured up a phrase that can cut to the quick.” *
One little phrase can do irreparable damage, wounding in ways no stone or stick ever could.
A tongue unleashed is deadly, especially when it’s the verbal gate for a heart full of bitterness or selfish ambition. A bad state of heart produces a bad set of words (Luke 6:45). So, right on the heels of his warning about the tongue, James discusses wisdom—and the difference between living “heaven-wise” (God’s wisdom) and “world-wise” (satan’s counterfeit).
I hope by now you’ve read through the entire book of James at least once (better yet, once per week!) to set each week’s study into the book’s big picture. Today, we’re going to focus on just six verses. Take a moment to read James 3:13-18, paying attention to two kinds of wisdom James describes.
James says there is false wisdom and true wisdom. Let’s take a quick look at each, remembering that when James is writing this letter, he’s addressing Christians. We can—and often do—settle for pseudo-wisdom, allowing ourselves to be duped into believing that the way we’re behaving is good, justified, wise. We can—and often do—infest our churches with earthly thinking, to satan’s delight. We must be careful, check our motives, open our eyes.
What ten terms does the Holy Spirit—through James’ pen—use to define false wisdom?
• earthly (v. 15)—bound to earth. I like what commentator Larry Richards writes about this word: “…unable to go beyond the limits of this world to gain the perspective on spiritual realities which guides the believer.” If we wonder what God thinks about a Christian whose “wisdom” doesn’t go beyond the limits of this world, who doesn’t live according to the Spirit, reading Romans 8:5-14 will quickly give us the picture.
• demonic (v. 15)—tied to satan and his three-fold strategy to make us see things through earthly eyes: “the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes, and his pride in possessions” (1 John 2:16, NIV).
• unspiritual (v. 15)—natural; animal-like. The brute beast doesn’t think spiritually; we wouldn’t expect it to! But humans are not beasts—we are spirit-ual beings, made in the image of God. We call it tragic when men respond to life’s circumstances like animals—for example, in the senseless, destructive behavior we recently saw in Ferguson, Missouri. The rioters’ “wisdom” said, “Make ’em pay for what they did to us”—without reasoning that the random people whose property they were harming had no connection to their perceived wrong. Some of the rioters were just part of the mob—no “cause” for which they were battling, just an excuse to loot. Many news reports called their actions “animalistic”—the same idea as the word James uses here.
• rooted in bitter envy (v. 14, 16)—sharp, vicious, ugly jealousy. Like a heat-seeking missile, it zeros in on any person who seems to be getting ahead.
• rooted in selfish ambition (v. 14, 16)—a strong desire or lust that leads to rivalry and manipulation. The Greek word comes from a word meaning “to spin wool”—doing something that has an agenda beyond that action. Jesus must be sickened by the number of churches that have been harmed by selfish ambition, a quest for power that is totally unChristlike.
• arrogant (v. 14)—boastful, proud. A few paragraphs further, James will quote from Proverbs 3:34, “God opposes the proud…” (4:6) Arrogance blocks our relationship with God. Jesus’ parable in Luke 18:9-14 gives important insight on His view of arrogance; two men prayed, but only one was justified. Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “It’s much easier for me to imagine a praying murderer, a praying prostitute, than a vain person praying. Nothing is so at odds with prayer than vanity.”
• lying against the truth (v. 14)—an interesting phrase, because every lie is against truth. The liar knows the truth but doesn’t consider it valuable, so covers it over with falsehood. When the truth in question is The Truth, and the lies are coming from a Christian who has professed loyalty to Him, He suffers and His people suffer.
• source of disorder (v. 16)—”standing down;” stepping aside and letting commotion run free. The Bible says God is not a God of disorder but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33). Can you see satan lurking in the shadows smirking, when order disintegrates and anarchy reigns among God’s people?
• source of every evil practice (v. 16)—worthless, foul, vile practices that belong to a low order. Nothing here worthy of our high and holy God!
• not from above (v. 15). These qualities are not found in heaven’s halls.
What ten terms does the Holy Spirit use to define true wisdom?
• pure (v. 17)—unalloyed, uncontaminated. Wholly God’s, with only His interests in mind.
• peaceable (v. 17)—Romans 12:18 urges, “if it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” We may not be able to control what others do, but we can choose peace. We walk away from tense situations, we diffuse arguments, we forego having to be right—for the sake of our Prince of Peace.
• gentle (v. 17)—power under control—or, as one writer put it, “velvet steel.” A gentle person is sweet-tempered and fair, willing to give others the benefit of the doubt.
• reasonable (v. 17)—approachable, compliant, willing to discuss options and to hear other points of view.
• full of mercy (v. 17)—able and willing to meet needs, even when undeserved—and to waive punishments, even when deserved.
• full of good fruits (v. 17)—Fruit is “that which is produced by the inherent energy of a living organism”, with seed for more! When we are Spirit-controlled, the obvious result will be fullness of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23) and all that comes with those qualities.
• unwavering (v. 17)—sureness, resolve, poise and confidence, even when all around us is quaking.
• without hypocrisy (v. 17)—sincerity, genuineness. No pretense, no masks, no lies.
• sown in peace (v. 18)—reaping what we’ve sown—peace which begets more peace!
• producing the fruit of righteousness (v. 18)—More fruit! More love, more joy, more peace. More patience, kindness, goodness. More gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.
Have you noticed how green and growing and giving heaven’s true wisdom is? This is unselfish, gracious, generous living that purposely looks a lot like the life of Jesus. It is possible to claim the name of Christ and not live like this—but it is not possible to claim the name of Christ, not live like this, and please God. There are two kinds of wisdom, but only one reflects Christ.
Matt Theissen’s lyrics end on this conclusion:
“I’ve gotta keep quiet, quiet, and listen to Your voice
because the power of Your words can repair all I’ve destroyed.
And when I finally do let it come from You
the peace of understanding grips my soul.” *
The key is making sure all our words find their source in His wisdom. Which list of terms best describes you? Which kind of wisdom are you choosing to live by?
This Week…
• Memorize James 3:17, keeping these characteristics in mind. Over the next few days, compare your actions and attitudes to this list. Are you living heaven-wise? (Don’t forget to review the verses from James that you’ve already learned!)
• Watch for a brewing argument, a complaint, or a tense relationship where you can practice your peacemaking skills. Can you diffuse tension and help find a solution? Read Romans 12:9-21; how does it apply to the situation?
• Read James, then read James 4:1-7 again to prepare for next Wednesday’s study. See you next week!
© Diane McLoud 2015
* From the song “Bite My Tongue”—performed by Reliant K on their album Five Score and Seven Years Ago. Written by Matthew Theissen, © Universal Publishing Group: Music Services, Inc.
