In the midst of the cesspool of our selfish desires causing all sorts of conflicts among us, James reminds us that God “gives more grace.” God gives this grace so that we would overcome the malevolent envy that causes quarrels and fights among us. Alec Moyer writes: “…God is tirelessly…
James 4 by asking us to take a look inside our hearts, our families, and our relationships in our churches to identify the source of our quarreling and fighting. James asks in verse 1, “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions…
James says the one who doesn’t stumble in what he says is perfect or mature (James 3:2). Clearly none of us measure up! But we can grow in self-control over our speech. Periodically fasting from words can be clarifying. We may be amazed by how many words we speak that…
James argues no one can fully tame the tongue (James 3:8). Efforts to control our speech will fall short without heart change. “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil” (Luke 6:45). The overflow…
James highlights our tendency to “bless God and curse men” in the same breath (James 3:9-10). We worship on Sunday then gossip on Monday. We pray eloquent prayers then slander our neighbor. Our words contradict our faith. But by God’s grace, our mouths can become “a fountain of life” (Proverbs…
The tongue is powerful despite its small size, says James. A bit in a horse’s mouth controls its whole body. A small rudder steers a massive ship (James 3:3-5). Likewise our tongues boast “great things” though they are tiny (v.5). A careless word can destroy a relationship or reputation. An…
James warns that teachers will face stricter judgment because of their influence (James 3:1). As Christians, we all stumble with our words (v.2). If we could completely control our tongues, we would be perfect! But often angry, critical, or thoughtless words slip out despite our best intentions. Controlling our speech…
James sums up his teaching: “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead” (James 2:26). Just as a body without the spirit is dead, faith without works is dead. True, saving faith motivates us to honor God in how we…
James writes, “You see that faith was active along with [Abraham’s] works, and faith was completed by his works” (James 2:22). Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac was the completion and fulfillment of his faith in God. In the same way, our faith is perfected when we live out our trust…
To explain that faith without works is dead, James gives the examples of Abraham and Rahab who were “justified by works” (James 2:21, 25). This does not contradict justification by faith alone. Rather, it shows that genuine faith will demonstrate itself through righteous actions. The faith that justifies us before…