This week begins the last unit of the study for the quarter which is on “Biblical Doing”. As we turn to the Book of James, known for its timeless wisdom and practical instruction, we like the original readers, are called into active obedience. As children of God, we are the firstfruits of His creation, implying new life and a new character. Paul highlights our transformation in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Knowing this, through God’s grace, the believer is to take on the mind of Christ in responding to issues with speech, discipleship and pure religion.
In our lesson, James gives one of the greatest pieces of wisdom we can apply to our conversations: “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” (vs. 19). The human heart desires to be heard, therefore, selfish conversation looks to be heard, not listen. Anger is destructive and someone who is angry assumes the right to judge others and cause some kind of hurt. But this right is God’s alone. In contrast God’s righteousness, implanted in us by both the living and written Word, promotes healthy conversations that heal and help people.
Next, James mirrors the deception of being a hearer and not a doer of the Word of God. When we look into the Word of God, and see our inconsistency and need to change, yet, ignore the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and remain unchanged we are hypocrites, which is an affront to God. Therefore, in loving obedience, true disciples are both hearers and doers of the Word of God. Concluding the lesson, James clearly defines the distinction between vain and pure religion: A man with an unbridled tongue is deceiving his own heart with vain religion, whereas, a man with pure religion will visit the orphans and widows in their afflictions, and keep himself free from the pollution in the world.
Related Scriptures: Proverbs 10:19-21; 15:1-4; 17:27-28; Jeremiah 7:1-7
Proverbs 10:19-21, emphasizes restrained speech, “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin; but he that refraineth his lips is wise.” “The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.” Proverbs 15:1-4, underlines, wisdom shown in our words, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” “The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright, but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.” “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life.”
Wisdom in silence , is pinpointed in Proverbs 17:27-28, “He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.” “Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.”
The message in Jeremiah 17:1-7, deepens our understanding of pure worship : “Hear the word of the LORD, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD. Thus saith the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel; Amend your ways and your doings and I will cause you to dwell in this place. For if ye thoroughly amend your ways and your doings; If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow….then I will cause you to dwell in this place.”
Practical Point:
Hearing God’s Word but not acting on what it says is pointless…
And it is foolish, according to Jesus! (Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:47-49). Therefore, when we consider the principle embedded in our lesson: being a “real” Christian requires more than mere profession, we are wise to hear and obey God’s Word!
