On Friday we explored the idea of wisdom. After looking at James 3:17 we found that wisdom is not just stuff you know; it’s who you’re known to be. Today let’s try to apply James’ insight about wisdom to our own lives. Let’s look at that verse again: “But the wisdom from above is first … Continue reading Embody one of these traits this week
book of James
Wisdom: who you’re known to be
Who or what is a wise person like? Many people, when they try to describe someone who is wise, start to list things they know—usually profound bits of knowledge which have been tried and tested though time and the refining grind of real-life experiences. I would tend to agree. That certainly sounds a lot like … Continue reading Wisdom: who you’re known to be
Not TO us but FOR us
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22). I once heard someone speak dismissively about the 10 Commandments. They thought they were just a bunch of random rules. It got me thinking about how the wisdom and commands of God are not something he does TO … Continue reading Not TO us but FOR us
The prayer of a righteous person
James offers a bold word: “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16 ESV). Wow. Let’s unpack that a bit. First, what does it mean to be “righteous”? In the New Testament, that word can have different nuances based on the context. Here it most likely refers to … Continue reading The prayer of a righteous person
Directing your happiness
In the Bible, James is so wise. He gives insight about how to respond to a variety of different situations. Here’s an example. In James 5:13 he writes: “Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.” Simple. Straightforward. But what difference does it make? Earlier he has said that “Every good and perfect gift is … Continue reading Directing your happiness
Look to the example of others
We’ve been talking about perseverance. In the Bible, James gave some very down-to-earth counsel to those enduring hardship: “Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered” (James 5:10-11). … Continue reading Look to the example of others
Soul cleats
In James 5:8 we read: “You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.” Let’s zero-in on the phrase “stand firm.” The oldest manuscripts we have of this passage are in Greek. “Stand firm” is an imperative verb. In other words, it’s a command that James expects to be followed. But … Continue reading Soul cleats
Friending the world and un-friending God
In James 4:4, people who have been unfaithful to God get a firm talking-to: “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” Wow. Whatever being a “friend of the world” means, it’s … Continue reading Friending the world and un-friending God
Satan’s kryptonite
James was the half-brother of Jesus and a prominent leader in the early church. In James 4:7-8 he says, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.” Resisting Satan and drawing nearer to God are closely related. If, as a disciple of Jesus, … Continue reading Satan’s kryptonite
Your verbal legacy
Words. They have power, don’t they? In the Bible, James writes: “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be” (James 3:9-10). So if … Continue reading Your verbal legacy
