The testing of our faith in how we speak as we live out our faith in obedience to God.

Read verses 1-18.

[See previous post for study on verse 1]

Look at the first part of verse 2.

For we all stumble in many ways.

What is meant by stumble?  Sin. 

We are reminded here that teachers and learners alike must acknowledge that we all sin in many ways.  It is not long before this is immediately evident as we read the scriptures (Genesis 3).  And we know that those who have true faith have the word of God and acknowledge their sin. (James 1:21; 1 John 1:8-10). Continue reading →

Read James 3:1-18.

Here we are taught about the testing of our faith in how we use our ability to speak as we live out our faith in obedience to God.

Look at verse 1.

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers,

This is not a warning against becoming a teacher, but a warning that reminds us to be cautious. Continue reading →

Read James 1:19-27.  Review what we have been learning in verses 19-25.

Read again verses 26 & 27

Here we are given clear teaching on what is true religion.  A further test of our faith in our response to God and his Word as we seek to live out our faith.

Continue reading →

Read verses 19-27 for context and review.  We are continuing to learn about the testing of our faith in our response to God’s Word. 

Look at verses 22-25.

We can see a contrast here between those who are hearers only and those who are hearers and doers.  [As we have seen in previous study and will see as we go: those who have faith vs. the double-minded whose life is characterized by doubt (1:6-8); religion that is pure vs. religion that is worthless (1:26,27); and living faith vs. faith that is dead (2:14-26)]

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The study in James so far has taken us through teaching on how we are called to live out our faith as we are tested by God.  Tested that he may show his faithfulness and so prove that we indeed have been given faith in Christ to his glory and for our good.  This testing is ongoing in our lives and is evidence of our blessed (favored) condition as those who are chosen and loved by God according to his will and promised eternal life in the Son. 

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Read vv. 12-18 [As I was studying these verses, I found it helpful to read Ephesians 1:1-14 and 2:1-10]

Look at verses 13 – 15.

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Continue reading →

Read verses 12-18.

Look at verses 13 – 15.  In this study, we will focus primarily on verse 13.

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Continue reading →

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Last time, we only looked at this verse briefly as a conclusion to our study of verses 9-11.

This time, I’d like to take time to consider this verse on its own (not on its own entirely, of course, as we consider it in the context of James and the whole of God’s Word 😊).   We will explore the value it has for us as we live out our faith in Christ as it teaches us the truth about God and ourselves.

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Read vv. 1-12

Briefly review what we studied in vv. 1-8

Read again vv. 9-12

Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes.  So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

Continue reading →

Read James 1, verses 1-12

Look at verses 5-8

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

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