Study of James
Lesson # 17
Concluding Counsel
Introduction
The use & abuse of the tongue continues to be a primary subject on James’ mind. Believers are not to complain against one another (5:9) but rather patiently endure (5:10.11). James ahs already pictured the tongue as a restless evil full of deadly poison (3:8). When believers use their tongue improperly they often bring irreparable damage upon others & the kingdom of God. The mark of a truly religious person is to bridle the tongue (1:26; 3:2). Now as James closes his book he again challenges them to correctly use their tongue. This last section can be divided into three parts – the misuse of oaths (vs.12); the use of prayer & praise (vs.13-18) and the restoration of a straying member (vs.19,20).
1. Verse 12 forms a fitting transition from what has gone before. Believers have been
counseled about proper behavior when faced with overwhelming adversity.
a. Be patient until the Lord’s coming
b. Don’t grumble against each other
c. Now instead of swearing, pray when suffering & praise God when cheerful.
2. Above all – One of the most heinous of sins is to misuse the Lord’s name in an oath.
a. Swearing can take several forms
1) Impatience can result in using God’s name irreverently. (Profanity)
2) One can seek to conceal the truth by calling upon God to confirm a
half-truth. (Blasphemy)
b. James echoes the words of Jesus (Mt.5:33-37)
1) The Jews had various subtle ways to distinguish between oaths as to
whether or not they were binding. Some even used oaths to cheat
(Mt.23:16-22)
2) James like Jesus does not have in mind the rare, solemn & proper use
an oath. It is the misuse that James & Jesus condemns. See the
legitimate use of oaths in scripture. Gen.22:16; 1 Kings 17:1;
2 Kings 3:14; Phil.1:8; Heb.6:16; Rev.10:6
c. The basic issue at hand is honesty in everyday conversations. The Christian
should have no need to prove the veracity of what they are saying.
1) A man’s word is a reflection of himself. He is either true or false. He is
either trustworthy or undependable. If his word is untrue, he has
lost his trustfulness and worth.
2) There should, therefore, be no need for oaths. His word should stand
alone, sure and factual. When it does not, and he curses or swears,
he shows a heart that is disturbed, lacking, or evil.
3) No matter who the person may be—how high or low in society—his
words reveal the truth of his heart: restful, assured, peaceful, full,
and good or else disturbed, insecure, lacking, and evil.
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3. There are at least six types of swearing.
a. There is swearing by oaths. Jesus was put upon His oath (Matthew 26:63),
and Paul swore by taking an oath (2 Cor. 1:23; Galatians 1:20).
1) What then does James mean by saying, “Swear not”? Simply that a
man’s word should be trustworthy in his day to day speech, so
trustworthy that no oath is ever necessary. His character should be
his guarantee the only guarantee he needs.
2) A second explanation is also possible. Men are evil, so untrustworthy in
their day to day dealings that worldly men require oaths. However,
as stated above, the believer’s word and character should be his
bond.
b. There is habitual, frivolous swearing. The unrighteous are said to have
“mouths full of cursing and bitterness” (Romans 3:10, 14).
c. There is hypocritical swearing. There are some who “bless God” in one
breath and turn around and “curse men” in the next breath. “Out of the
same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing” (James 3:9-10).
d. There is silent, universal swearing. Every man is charged with secretly
cursing others within his heart. “Your own heart knows that you have
cursed others” (Eccles. 7:22).
e. There is evasive swearing. Some do not use words that are foul, dirty, ugly,
harsh, or binding. They would never use God’s name in vain. Rather, they
choose substitute words—words that are commonly used in everyday
conversation, words that would never be considered swearing.
1) Others choose what are thought to be milder curse words.
2) By evading harsh swearing, they feel their word is not so binding. They
count themselves less guilty.
f. There is ego swearing. Many swear to boost their ego, their manliness around
others. They feel an identity with the crowd by crossing over to the
forbidden.
4. James loosely quotes Jesus – let your yes be yes & no be no or be condemned.
a. A person is to let his word be so true that it is his guarantee. His word is to
stand alone and be true. A man is to need no other words to show his
character or strength—no curse words and no swearing words.
b. A man should not have to say anymore than “yes I will....” or “no, I will not....”
His life should be so honest and straight that no one would ever question
his word. When he speaks, everyone should know that it will be done, that
he will see to it that it is done. In fact, Jesus Christ said that anything more
than straightforward words are of evil.
c. Something that is often overlooked is this fact: swearing and cursing do not
make a matter more believable; they really make a matter more suspicious.
A person swears something because his character or the matter is
questionable. What an indictment of depravity! Yet swearing and cursing
are the acceptable habits of men.
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1. Is anyone suffering – let him pray
a. The individual in trying circumstances is tempted to complain or break out in
an impious oath, but the proper response is to turn to God in prayer.
b. In trouble, joy or sickness the response should be prayer.
c. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous & His ears are attentive to their
prayers (1 Pet.3:12; Ps.34:15)
d. The situation itself may not change, but God will give the grace necessary to
endure (2 Cor.12:9)
2. Is any cheerful – let him sing praise
a. Means – this word is used elsewhere in the NT only in Acts 27:22,25. Here is
translated “keep up your courage”
1) Not mean boisterous hilarity, nor imply freedom from any form of
trouble, but suggests an inner attitude of cheerfulness. 2) In spite of difficult times the believer is to be cheerfully courageous
b. Whatever the circumstance in life the believer can both pray & praise.
Acts 16:25
3. Is any of you sick – call for the elders
a. Means – illness that debilitates a person
b. Used primarily for bodily ailments but can also refer to mental, emotional or
spiritual sickness & weakness.
c. The sick person is not to suffer alone
d. Let him call – sick person is responsible for initiating the summons.
4. Note the four facts given in this passage.
a.“Is any sick among you?” The sick are those who are so sick that they are
shut-ins—unable to get out and go to the ministers and leaders of the
church.
b.“Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church.” The sick
person is to be so concerned over his welfare and so trusting of God that
he knows that God can heal him. He also believes in prayer, that where
two of three are gathered together in the name of Christ, Christ will be
there in more power.
c. “Let them [the elders] pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of
the Lord.” Two things are done by the elders - They pray for the sick
shut-in & they anoint him with oil. And they do both things in the name of
the Lord.
1) That is, they know that the Lord alone is the Healer of our sicknesses.
2) We are healed by the Lord not by our prayers or by the oil.
d. “The prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up....”
The Lord will heal the sick person and forgive his sins because of the
prayer of faith.
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5.Picture the scene of what is being said in this passage.
a. A dear, dear brother or sister is so sick that they are bedridden.
b. The sickness is permanent, so permanent that if they are ever going to join us
in the worship of the Lord again, the Lord is going to have to intervene &
heal them.
c. What is he or she to do? Just lie there and give up to the trial and temptation
to limit God’s power?
d. What should the elders of the church do? Just encourage the dear brother to
bear his affliction and suffering—to just lie there and accept his affliction
with no hope of ever being healed by God? This passage emphatically
says “no!”
e. We are not to give up to the trial or sickness. Scripture says that we should
do two things: Gather around the sick person and pray & anoint them with
oil.
f. But note: they are to pray in faith—pray knowing and expecting God to heal
the sick person. And as already stated, the prayer of faith will save the sick
person.
6. Now, for a couple of questions.
a. Does this work? Is this what God expects us to do when one of our loved
ones or dear brothers or sisters become sick? Let us answer these
questions by asking several other questions.
1) What is there in this passage or in this book that says this is not
a clear instruction of Scripture? It would seem that raw
honesty before the Lord—without preconceived notions—
would require us to say that this instruction stands as the
Lord’s instructions as much as any other in the Book of
James.
2) Why not do this? What is wrong with going to a dear brother or
sister—one whom we love ever so deeply and one who has
been among us as one of God’s faithful worshippers and
servants—and putting a little oil on his head and praying
for God to heal him? He is a dear brother who is hurting
and suffering and racked with excruciating pain, and he has
been given no hope. What is wrong with us doing all we
can for him? What is wrong with praying with all the faith
we can arouse within our hearts and minds?
b. All believers, of course, have to answer these questions for themselves; but
as we answer them, we must be honest—honest to God and His
Word and honest to ourselves and our loved ones. There is no
question—absolutely no question—these instructions are in the
Word of God. Their presence and clear instructions cannot be
denied. What, then, are we to do? What does God want us to do?
Regardless of what men say and do, what does God really want us
to do? What does His Word say?
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7. Note the instruction to anoint with oil.
a. Why would Scripture tell us to anoint the sick with oil?
b. There are two excellent reasons.
1) In the OT oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit & His presence.
The oil helps the sick person to focus and concentrate
upon the presence of the Holy Spirit and His power.
2) Oil is also a symbol of God’s care, comfort, joy &mercy to us. It
is the oil of gladness. Therefore, oil actually focuses the
attention and stirs the sick to believe in God’s will to be
merciful and His desire to fill the believer’s heart with
gladness.
c. Anointing with oil was also done for medicinal purposes – Isa.1:6;
Lk.10:34
1) Mk.6:13 mentions the 12 anointing many with oil & healing
them.
2) Some say that this was something that only occurred during the
1st century & was a sign to validate the gospel. If that were
so one might expect the apostles & prophets to be
summoned not the elders.
8. If he has sinned he will be forgiven
a. Some sickness is due to sinful actions. There are consequences when we violate
God’s commands & some of them come upon us physically.
1) 2 Cor.12:7-12 – Paul given a thorn in his flesh (because of pride)
2) Mt.18:34,35 – unforgiving turned over to torturers
b. Therefore confess your sins & pray for one another
1) Present tense denoting this should be a general practice of believers.
2) Discretion is to be used as to the extent of our confession.
a) Not so that they cause injury to others or unhealthy
exhibitionism
b) The emphasis needs to be on apology & admitting weaknesses
so we might heal relationships & bring encouragement to
one another.
c) Confession to God brings forgiveness, but confession to a friend
can be a source of healing.
3) The purpose behind our confession & prayer is that we might be healed.
9. Earnest fervent prayer is effective & works.
a. Elijah is an excellent example of the power of prayer.
1) He was a man just like us, a human being who had passions and
feelings just like we have and who faced the same temptations and
trials that we do.
2) Yet Elijah earnestly prayed for it not to rain, and it did not rain for three
years and six months. Then he prayed again for it to rain, and it
rained and the earth bore its fruit 1 Kings 17:1f; 1 Kings 18:1f.
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b. Righteous – one who is right with God; one who acts righteously; practices
righteousness – lives a righteous lifestyle.
1. Restoring one who strays
a. There is always the possibility of a person straying away from Jesus.
1 Cor.10:12; Heb.6:4-6
b. God wants us to be so concerned with one another that we are looking for ways
to help them come back to Jesus.
c. When one has been restored a multitude of sins have been covered & they are
saved from death (spiritual death).