James: Doing God's Word

James 1:19-27

Questions from last lesson: What did we talk about last time we were together?

Intro: We have been looking at how we are to put our faith into action here in the book of James. The number one thing that is going to help our faith is God’s Word. Today’s world look at the Bible as something irrelevant, offensive, out of date, or just a book with cool stories and good morals. But God’s Word is important for our lives and for maturing in our faith. When we hear God’s Word preached or taught we must be actively listening to what God has for us. When we read the Bible we must apply what we have learned. James in this passage sates how we are to be doers of the Word. If we are going to put our faith in action we must live what hear from God’s Word.

James felt burdened for the believers scattered so soon after their conversion. After James talked about trials and temptations he wanted his readers to continue listening to God’s Word that they might it except it as truth and live by it. Only instructions from God could prepare them for life’s challenges.

1. Accepting God’s Word (vs. 19-21)

A. Be sensitive to its teaching ( vs. 19-20)

James moves on from God’s goodness to how as believers we should respond. Because of His goodness to His children as believers we should spend more time listening and less time arguing and complaining. James challenged believers to listen eagerly to God’s Word and to think before we speak.

What James is challenging us here is to hear and receive the instruction of God’s Word with humility. letting it affect their attitudes and actions.

When it says “swift to hear” requires that they be eager and attentive receive the message. When this book was written the New Testament was not written so the Christians of this day were dependent upon the preaching of local teachers for their knowledge of the gospel. We are to be eagerly listening to God’s Word.

Next “slow to speak” and “slow to anger” encourages the hearing of God’s Word. Slow to speak is a call for restraint upon hasty reactions to what is being heard. When people are busy speaking they are not listening. Slow to wrath exposes the danger involved in a flash. harsh speech is prone to wound. Same thing with anger they are angry that they do not want to accept any teachings. We must be willing to listen to God’s Word.

Verse 20 implies that things said or done when full of wrath will not display or accomplish God’s righteousness. Therefore one should not act while filled with anger.

James says that an angry spirit does not produce a righteous life. James wanted his readers to understand that anger prevents us hearing the Word of God and knowing His will.

There are times in our life where we will be angry with God. God is not offended when we become angry with Him. But He is offended when we are so deep in anger that we refuse to resolve it and resume a posture of listening and learning.

B. Be Submissive to its teaching (vs. 21)

James in this verse uses a word picture when confronting attitude toward sinfulness. What could be pictured here is how we get rid of sin is like removing pieces of filthy clothing and laying them aside. We are also to lay aside any wickedness that tends to gush from our hearts.

James exhorted his readers to welcome the teaching of Scripture with “meekness” and to internalize it. God’s Word is what is to be rooted in our hearts. It can save our souls and it can prevent a wasted life of bitterness and anger. God does not take sin lightly and He will punish us for our sins.

2. Grasping God’s Word (vs. 22-25)

A. Study it persistently (vs. 22-24)

Being sensitive to the Scripture and a submission to its teaching will transform believers as long as they continue to study it.

Verse 22: James is urging his readers to move from knowing God’s Word to doing it. If we are just reading and listening to the Word and not applying anything to our lives James says we are deceiving ourselves. Our responsibility when we read God’s word is to seek what God has for us.

Ask: What lies might we tell ourselves after hearing God’s Word?

Verse 23-24: In these verses we see James use an example of a mirror.

Ask: Why do you look in the mirror? How does this example of a mirror help us understand the Bible’s roll in our life. It reveals to us what needs to be changed or adjusted in our lives. It shows us our flaws.

Scripture is a privilege to have and to read. In James days people did not own copies of the Bible. The book of James was possibly the earliest NT book written. Still, believers were to give careful attention to the teaching and reading of Scripture. God expects us to study His Word diligently so we can understand Him and to apply the things that we have meditated on to our lives.

Ask: What are some obstacles threaten to keep you from studying God’s Word?

B. Practice it consistently (vs. 25)

James finishes his mirror metaphor with the exhortation to look consistently into the perfect “law of liberty”. The perfect law that James refers to is the complete Word of God. We have an advantage unlike James readers we have the complete Bible. God’s Word can set us free from sin.

The word “look” here is the same word look that is used in the gospels to describe the action of the apostles when they looked into the empty tomb of Jesus. When they looked into the tomb they did not just simply take a glance and say yup its gone. They went into the tomb and looked and studied the evidence that Jesus did rise from the dead. As we study God’s Word we must have this action of looking and asking ourselves questions like “what does it say?” “what does it mean?” and “how can I apply this to my life?”

James adds in this verse that if we are in God’s Word consistently and be a doer and apllies these things then he will be blessed or “happy”. When we study God’s Word consistently then it will result in joy in our life.

3. Applying God’s Word (vs. 26-27)

Verses 26 and 27 function as an introduction to the rest of this epistle.

Ask: In verse 26 what statement does James make about an uncontrolled tongue? If one can’t control his words, his religion does not mean anything.

Read 2 Timothy 2:15: in this verse we see that as an effective servant of God is the workman who rightly divides the Word of truth. For those who prove they have been in the Word prove their true religion by their ability to control their tongue.

Ask: In verse 27 how should your religion be described- pure and undefiled. This is a faith that is not influenced by the world.

We must follow God’s Word and if we become doers and not just hears then we will be transformed by Scripture.

Ask: In the second part of verse 27 it talks about visiting orphans and widows. Why would that be a good example for pure and undefiled religion? It shows a person is willing to help those who can’t pay for service.

Ask: What other similar types of people are we called to serve as evidence of a pure religion?

True faith is proven by our actions. In this first chapter of James it is devoted to the personal walk of faith. God tests our faith, He helps us resist temptations, and our faith prospers when we diligently study His Word. Next James moves on to how ones faith can impact relationships with others.