The Epistle of James Lesson 6 “Faith and the Faithful Teacher (Cont’d)” “Faith and the Man Within” James 3:13 – 4:10 Page 13
Overview of Chapter 3 This chapter deals with overly-ambitious and self-serving teachers A threat not only to their own spirituality but also to that of the entire church among whom they taught Their apparent insincerity and inconsistent lives were a severe reflection on the image of the church among people of the world Faithful teachers are important to the success of the gospel in converting the lost (See Philippians 2:15,16)
Question “Wise” teachers demonstrate their wisdom (and reliability) by what means? (vs. 13) 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
Who Is Wise Among You? Only those teachers who use their tongues to impart sound doctrine are “wise” and “understanding” of the truth “But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1) Conformity of their teaching and their personal behavior with the truth (13) Jesus said, “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man” (Matt. 7:24)
Question What behaviors of teachers (and others) lie against the truth they teach? (vs. 14) 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.
Teachings Come From Two Origins All teachers claim to possess wisdom in their teaching Be aware, however, that teaching may have its origin in wisdom that is from “below,” rather than in wisdom from “above” (15) The source of any professed “wisdom” may be identified by the influences it exerts on its recipients We must examine each teachers “wisdom”
Question List the characteristics of two kinds of wisdom described by James. (vs. 15-18) Heavenly Wisdom Earthly Wisdom a. a. b. b. c. c. d. d. e. e. f. f. g. g. h. i. Meekness Pure Peaceable Gentle Willing to yield Mercy Good fruits Without partiality Without hypocrisy Earthly Sensual Demonic Bitter envy Self-seeking Confusion Every evil thing
Let’s Read James 3:15-18 (NKJ) 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Lesson 6 “Faith and the Man Within” James 4:1 – 4:10 Page 16 The Epistle of James Lesson 6 “Faith and the Man Within” James 4:1 – 4:10 Page 16
Chapter 4 In this chapter, he rebukes them harshly for the lifestyle into which some had fallen They were oblivious to the qualities of the Christian character toward which the gospel had pointed them They were embroiled in relationships among themselves and with people in the world characterized by strife and bitterness, worldliness, unwarranted criticism, greed, and pride
Chapter 4 A failure to change these relationships would be disastrous to their hope of eternal life Faith could not do its work in their lives until a significant impact had been made on “the man within!”
Question What is the basic reason behind man’s “warring and fighting”? (vs. 1) 1 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?
“Desires For Pleasures…” Causes ungodly behavior The gospel is a gospel of peace God desires that His people live at peace with Him, with one another, and with all their associates Righteous living by Christians can by nurtured only within an environment of peace (3:18)
“Desires For Pleasures…” The natural man is determined to “gratify their natural desires” The natural man will lead us into a lust for: (1) power, (2) prominence, (3) wealth, (4) independence, (5) the sheer enjoyment of strife, and many other hurtful behaviors Their aspirations centered on what they wanted for themselves and not on what they wanted for the kingdom of God
“Desires For Pleasures…” Paul said, 1Cor. 3:1-3: “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?’
Question List six useless and hurtful things men do to achieve their desires. (vs. 2,3) 2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
Question What was wrong with the prayers (asking) of those who did not receive? (vs.3) 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. (See James 1:5-8 for properly asking of God)
Question The fundamental choice about lifestyle is whether to be a friend of_________ or a friend of ______ ___________. (vs. 4) 4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. God the world
“Adulterers and Adulteresses…” (4:4) The physical sin of adultery erodes the precious bond between husband and wife Spiritual adultery with the devil destroys the relationship between the disciple and his God. Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters;… You cannot serve God and mammon [riches regarded as an object of worship].” (Matt. 6:24)
“The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously” (4:5) James asked if they think that this concern of the Spirit is in vain or to no purpose If we permit worldly pleasures to dwell in us, the Spirit will not dwell in us Those who are friends of the world make themselves an enemy of God James says “the Scriptures says” This is not a direct quotation from the O.T. It is a general truth that the Scriptures teach that God is jealous of those who stray away
“The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously” Paul expressed a similar use of this principle when referring to the misuse of the Lord’s supper: 1 Cor. 10:21,22 – “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's table and of the table of demons. Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?”
Question In what different ways does God treat the proud and the humble? (vs. 6) What should the proud do to gain God’s favor? (vs. 7) 6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
“Submit to God… Resist the Devil …” “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (4:7) These are exact opposites We must “resist the devil” for him to flee “Resist” is to “stand off”, “withstand”, to “oppose” We are promised a victory over the devil if we actively oppose him Resisting requires several things…
Question What steps must a sinner take to “draw near” to God? (vs. 8-10) 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
“Submit to God… Resist the Devil …” Draw near to God God is never far from each one of us (Acts 17:27), but we allow our sins to separate ourselves from Him (Isaiah 59:2). Still, He is ever ready to receive us into His fellowship despite our going astray (2Peter 3:9)
“Submit to God… Resist the Devil …” Cleanse the hands The sinner must change his behavior for the better before he can be acceptable to God The “old man” must be put off, the “new man” must be put on (Eph. 4:22-32; Col. 3:5-14)
“Submit to God… Resist the Devil …” Purify the heart Proper behavior must come from a heart that is “wise” and willing to “see things as God sees them” From such a heart springs a trust in the Lord that will not allow our human lusts to dictate how our needs are to be supplied A “double-minded” man receives nothing from the Lord (chapter 1:6,7)
“Submit to God… Resist the Devil …” Humble self before the Lord Repentance born of a godly sorrow brings grief and shame over the sins of the past (2Corinthians 7:10) and, A resolve not to repeat those sins in the future. This was the need of the Laodiceans (Revelation 3:17).
“Submit to God… Resist the Devil …” God will lift up the humble soul Action is required by both the sinner and the Father before the problem of sin can be resolved WE submit, HE lifts. Our must action must occur before His!
James 4:1-3 (NKJ) For Pride Promotes Strife 1 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
James 4:4-6 (NKJ) For Pride Promotes Strife 4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? 6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
James 4:7-10 (NKJ) Humility Cures Worldliness 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.