Study of James

Lesson # 8

The Word Of God & Spiritual Maturity - # 3

Introduction

            God brought us into His family through the word of God. We were born again when we positively responded to God’s word & that word is to have an ongoing effect in our lives. We are to be quick to listen & slow to speak back & become angry; we are to allow the word to have a positive influence upon us as we continually meditate upon it & make application in our lives. Now James shows us how the word is to be applied in our everyday lives. Religion that God accepts must be demonstrated in our every day lives.

James 1:26,27

1. If anyone considers himself religious

            a. Considers himself = to fancy himself or suppose himself to be

                        1) James is discussing self-deception, not what others think of us

                        2) This person considers himself a devout Christian or a pious person

                        3) They are basing their concept of themselves on something other than

their lifestyle. (Perhaps their attendance or their form of worship.)

            b. Religious – the outward expression or service (not ritual or ceremony)       

                        1) The finest ritual & ceremony we can offer to God is found in our

service to the poor & our own personal purity

                        2) Unless worship goes beyond our ritual & public ceremony it is not the

worship that God desires.

            c. One may participate in the finest expression of worship in prayer & song,

& yet it only be something that is empty & meaningless before God.

1) God has always called man to make religion more than ritual

2) Scriptures – Hosea 6:1-6; Isa.58:1-14; Micah 6:6-8; Mt.25:31-46

2. Three areas of our lives that must be affected by the word

            a. The tongue

                        1) It must be bridled – controlled, restrained, guided in the proper

direction. The tongue (like an unruly horse) needs a bit & bridle to

keep it under control.

                        2) The challenge – control the tongue & use only for good or religion vain

                        3) The power of words –

                                    Prov.18:21 – tongue has the power of life & death

                                    Prov.12:25 – can make an anxious heart glad

                                    Prov.15:4 – when brings healing is a tree of life – deceitful one

crushes the spirit

                                    Prov.16:24 – pleasant words are healing

                                    Prov.25:11 – like apples of gold when spoken in right situations

                                    Prov.25:20 – wrong timing – like taking one’s garment on cold day

                                    Prov.25:23 – how delightful is a timely word

                                    James 3:5,6 – power to determine whole course of life

2

                        4) Sins of the tongue

                                    * Interrupting & dominating the conversation

                                    * Being easily provoked & lashing out at others

                                    * Gossiping & telling tales

                                    * Criticizing & murmuring

                                    * Judging & condemning others

                                    * Cursing & using slang

                                    * Using suggestive or off colored talk

                                    * Talking about or running others down

                                    * Lying

                                    * Arguing

                                    * Being offensive

                                    * Boasting

                        5) Application

                                    * Mt.15:10,11 – makes one unclean

                                    * Mt.12:34,35 – exposes the heart

                                    * Mt.12:36,37 – determine your destiny

                        6) Other scriptures

                                    Ps.34:12,13 – want good days = control tongue

                                    Prov.13:3 – guard lips or come to ruin

                                    Prov.21:23 – guard mouth = keep from calamity

                                    1 Pet.3:10-12 – to receive a blessing we must control tongue

                                    1 Peter 2:1 – rid self of every type of slander

                                    James 4:11 – do not slander

                                    James 3:6 – tongue is a world of evil & corrupts whole person

                                    Titus 3:1,2 – slander no one

                                    Eph.4:31 – get rid of bitterness, rage, anger, slander, all malice

                                    Eph.4:29 – allow no unwholesome speech

                                    Col.4:6 – conversation always be full of grace

3

            b. Attitude & actions toward the fatherless & widows

                        1) Pure & undefiled religion – free from stain or sin

                                    a) Moral cleanness is more important than ceremonial cleanness

                                    b) Religious acts may impress men, but service & moral purity

impresses God

                        2) Visit fatherless & widows in their distress – look in on & see to their

needs (not leave them destitute or lacking the necessities of life).

a) James is speaking of more than just a social visit or even the

            impersonal giving of funds through an agency to meet their

needs. It is personally coming to the aid of needy

individuals – personal involvement. God has always

expected His people to be concerned for the plight of the

needy .

b) Scriptures

            Ps.68:5 – God a father fro fatherless & judge for widows

            Deut.27:19 – cursed if withhold justice from them

            Ex.22:22 – take advantage of & God’s anger aroused

            Lk.7:12-15 – example of Jesus

            Mt.25:31-46 – difference between sheep & goats

            Acts 6:1-6 – seven appointed to care for needs

            1 Tim.5:3-16 – needy put on list & cared for

            c. Moral purity

                        1) Pure religion doesn’t focus on ritual; it focuses on the power of God to

change our lives & motivates us to serve others.

                        2) We are to come out of the world, not act like the world – Rom.12:1,2;

                                    2 Cor.6:17,18; Eph.5:11; 2 Tim.2:4; 1 Jn.2:15,16;

                        3) We have an individual responsibility to keep ourselves pure

1 Pet.1:15,16