LEARN MORE – GROW MORE – BE MORE – IN CHRIST JESUS
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:11
Wisdom of James
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Our lessons this month will come from the writings of James, the half brother of Jesus. Growing up in the same house as the Lord, James was afforded the opportunity to witness some incredible things from his incredible brother. James saw him from his youth, through his public ministry and appeared to him after his resurrection (I Cor. 15:7). So when we study this month’s lesson we’ll be learning from a man, who had a first-hand account of the wisdom of Christ.
August 2 – Wisdom is Exercised in Faith – James 1:1–11
August 9 – Doing What Is Heard- James 1:19–27
- James speaks as if he is addressing someone close to him. He says, “Beloved brothers” v19. The idea of this is personal, not abstract, or general. Beloved is a term of endearment of someone who is consider close in a relationship. Be eager to listen not just hear is James’ intent. Always be is a mode or position to hear or attentive to what is being said. That means when others are talking, give them your attention. In Acts 17:11, the saints of Berea gave attention to those things spoken. But they coupled that hearing with an immediate search or examination of the scriptures for validation. Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. Most of us tend to hear with the intent to speak. James is telling us to listen and do not be so quick to speak. Being slow to speak has the idea of listening. Not speaking quickly allows us the opportunity to properly process the things we hear. When we speak too quick, we run the risk of responding in an ungodly way. An ungodly response is never acceptable to the Lord v20. This is a discipline that takes a deliberate effort on our part under control of the Holy Spirit. V21 implies that ungodly responses are often the result of not just of listening and speaking too quick but deep-rooted unresolved issues. God tells us in Matthew 18 to reconcile for the purpose these issues to do not crop up later for we have the ministry of reconciliation (II Cor. 5:18).
- Being doers of the word impresses the Lord more than hearing. Being an active doer represents the reality that we have personally embraced our faith and not just the concept of our faith. The phrase used to be “talk is cheap”. It meant than following through on what is heard and seen carries more importance than just hearing and seeing something v23, 24. In contrast, James reminds us that the one who is truly blessed is the one who agrees and complies with those godly things heard.
- Deception of self is founded in pride. The Proverbs declares pride precedes destruction (Pro. 16:18). To think we are godly and have no control over the words of our mouth is simply pride. There is nothing acceptable in the eyes of the Lord for us to think we have the liberty to say anything to anyone. What we say to anyone ought to be spoken in love. Pure religion is free from ungodly contaminates such as malice, hate or deception and God requires us to deliberately separate ourselves from such behavior.
August 16 – Faith Lived Out – James 2:14–26
August 23 – The Wisdom of a Tongue Under Control – James 3:1–12
August 30 – The Wisdom of Kind Words – James 3:13–18; 5:7–12
Continue to follow and study with us as we seek to show ourselves approved to the Lord, workmen and women who do not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
