How does we draw near to God? By humbling ourselves, acknowledging our dependence upon him, and acknowledging our sinful pride that separates us from him. One of the chief ways we draw near to God is through prayer. It does not have to be a long prayer. To pray thoughtfully…
The solution to our prideful arrogance and insistence on our own way is to submit ourselves to God (James 4:7). Submission entails showing the appropriate respect, honor, and obedience that is due to God. It is to repudiate our egotism, our aloofness, our insistence on our own way in order…
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…