Don’t Go There

Good morning, CHURCH!

Welcome to FFM where we love God, and we love people.

Are you ready to be equipped today?

Let me see your Bibles.

Let’s pray.

Let’s go to the book of Proverbs 3:27 NKJV for this week’s wisdom Vaccination.

In the cultures back in the Ancient near East everyone depended upon one another for so much of survival.

Cultures were heavily interdependent, with survival often hinging on cooperation and mutual support within communities and between neighboring groups.

Communities were connected through family ties, trade (barter system), shared labor, defense for safety, and even religious practices, creating a web of support that helped them endure difficulties and build resilient societies.

And this is what the Proverbs was alluding too in:

This Week’s Wisdom Vaccination Proverbs 3:27 NKJV

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so.

This reveals a universal moral expectation of generosity and responsibility.

It’s not like it is today, where everyone is expected to take care of themselves in every aspect.

This proverb reinforces that generosity was not optional but a foundational principle of living in the Ancient Eastern culture.

You may wonder how might that be seen in our societies today?

What if you own a snowblower and your neighbor is elderly?

What if you have jumper cables and a member of the church’s car is hesitant to start?

What if you live in a neighborhood that expects everyone to look out for potential danger or theft? (Neighborhood watch)

What if you have visitors coming into town and you have an extra bedroom in your home?

What if you have all your bills paid and savings left over and someone in the church is living pay check to paycheck?

We are all called to generosity in some form, shape or fashion so we are to help each other where we can.

Now, what i’ve just shared with you is what we should do.

During the rest of the message I’ll share some things that we should not do.

As we continue the series titled:

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The Character of a Real Christian

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Today’s message title is:

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Don’t go there!

Neighbor: Don’t go there. Where? You’ll have to listen to find out.

We left off last week in the first part of James chapter 4 in which the scriptures stated that whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

By being a friend of the world you become an adulterer or adulteress as it relates to your relationship with God.

(In our society today a lot of people claim they are in relationship with God and nothing you can say usually changes their mind without them getting angry with you. How about just asking them one question. “Are you a friend of the world? If so, God says you’re His enemy.)

For those that know you’ve been a friend of the world but you don’t want to remain an enemy of God, let me give you the cure for worldliness.

Humility

And in today’s message we will cover the rest of chapter 4 in three parts which are all warnings of what not to do as followers of Christ.

James chapter 4 and we’re covering verses 6-17.

I’m going to cover this portion of scripture in three parts today.

Neighbor: don’t go there!

James 4:6-10 NKJV

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. 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.

This passage is calling us to humility, repentance and submission to God.

We all know that humility is something we should walk in right?

We all know definitions of humility like:

(A modest or low view of one’s own importance.)

But how do we achieve humility? How do we walk in humility?

In the Bible:

Humility before God was often linked to submission and recognition of our dependence on Him.

How often in prayer or praise & worship do you express to God, your dependence on Him?

And not just our dependence on Him for life, breath, health, soundness of mind etc.

But for all the little things that He has orchestrated in your life that have gotten you to where you are.

The God hookups.

How about for the avoidance of accidents like fatal car crashes or plane crashes.

There is so much God involvement in our lives that we take for granted.

The less we recognize our dependence on God the more we lean towards pride.

Pride is an attribute of the Devil.

Pride got the Devil kicked out of Heaven.

Instead of the Devil continuously acknowledging his dependence on God, he wanted to be God.

You had better stop patting yourself on the back and start appreciating God more.

This might be strong but I’m gone say it anyway.

Resist that demon like quality and draw near to God.

Neighbor: don’t go there!

Let’s move on to the second portion.

James 4:11-12 NKJV

11 Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. 12 There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?

The audience this was written too would have understood these verses within the context of Jewish ethics, community relationships, and the Torah's teachings on justice, humility, and respect for one another.

Now since I don’t have time to get into all of that, let’s touch on the respect for one another part.

Speaking evil against one’s “brother” (fellow believer or member of the community) not only showed disrespect of that person but also disrespect of the unity and sanctity of the entire community.

(WHAT WOULD ALLOW SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN BLESSED BY YOU OR YOUR LEADERSHIP LEAVE AND START RUNNING YOU DOWN?)

Jewish wisdom literature like Proverbs frequently warned against gossip and slander.

Proverbs 20:19 NKJV

He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.

A talebearer in biblical terms refers to someone who spreads gossip, shares private info or reveals secrets, often causing harm to others in the process.

This type of person might also exaggerate or manipulate stories, creating tension, conflict, or mistrust within a community.

(DON’T FOOL WITH THESE KIND OF DISGRUNTLED CHRISTIANS)

Proverbs 21:23 NKJV

Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.

Question?

Back to verse 11.

How can speaking evil against my brother or sister and judging them according to the law be seen as speaking evil against the law and judging the law?

Obedience to the Torah meant not only adhering to its commands but also respect for its purpose.

It was given by God to guide people toward righteous living.

By judging others, a person acts as if they are above the purpose of the law (The scriptures), effectively putting themselves in a position reserved for God alone.

So, in essence, instead of me guiding someone towards the scriptures and allowing the scriptures to guide them toward righteous living, I speak against them and condemn them.

God is the sole lawgiver and judge.

Any attempt to take on a divine role, such as condemning others, would be seen as blasphemous.

Don’t Go There!

So, James is emphasizing the humility required of us in matters of judgement.

God is the only one who understands everyone’s heart and motives.

God is the only one with the ability to judge righteously.

Human judgement is flawed and limited.

Our job is not to take on God’s role as judge but to focus on living in obedience to the word and showing humility in relationships with one another.

Let’s finish with the third portion.

James 4:13-17 NKJV

13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; 14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” 16 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.

17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

Here we are reminded to live in humility, recognizing that life is uncertain and ultimately under God’s control.

We’re encouraged us to acknowledge God’s sovereignty in all our plans.

-avoid the arrogance of self-sufficiency

- and actively do good when we know it is right to do so.

Wisdom literature, such as Ecclesiastes and Proverbs, teach that we humans are limited in our knowledge and control, and therefore must depend on God’s will and guidance.

If we make future-plans without seeking God for His direction, it signals a sense of self-sufficiency that ignores God’s role as the sustainer and controller of life.

We are to live as if we truly believe that our future is in God’s hand.

Proverbs 19:21 NKJV

There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.

And the scriptures also pointed out that life is fleeting.

Psalm 39:5 NKJV

Indeed, you have made my days as handbreadths, And my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. Selah

This emphasis on humility, dependence on God, and the responsibility to act aligns with Jewish wisdom traditions.

It reinforces the call to live a life that reflects our faith in God’s authority and care.

Did you know that in Judaism, knowing what is right and failing to do it is considered a serious offense.

The Torah and other Jewish teachings emphasize that:

Righteousness is not just about avoiding sin, but also about actively doing good.

Failing to act when we know what the right thing to do, is a failure to fulfill our obligations to God and others.

Which goes back to where we started with Proverbs 3:27.

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so.

If you’re watching online or here in the room, I have a very important question to ask you.

What is Holy Spirit saying to you right now?