Actions speak louder than words

A True Believer will relate to the Word and others in a positive manner (James 1:19-20)

Explanation: James has just finished telling how the believers were to handle trials and temptations, and now he rapidly moves to his next topic. As a result of being “brought forth by the Word of Truth” (v. 18) an expression of the new birth, saved people are those who live and act differently.

James gives three directives in the area of communicating or relating to others.

“quick to hear,” meaning that he or she is open to hearing from God through the Word. This would include sermons, Bible study, personal reading, etc. Such a person engages in worship, not just physically present. A believer is also one that listens in a conversation instead of thinking on what he is going to say when given the chance.

“He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him” (Prov 18:13)

“slow to speak” - a T.B. is not hasty in making declarations about the Word. A believer will ponder and reflect upon the truth and makes sure he has understanding before speaking out.

“Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? There is more hope of a fool than of him” (Prov 29:20)

“slow to anger” - a Christian is one who is under to control of the Holy Spirit and doesn’t just go off the rails at every opportunity.

Illustrate: Consider the Presidential debate this past Tuesday night. Most people who watched it said there was no clear winner. Neither listened, they talked over each other, and were rude and mean-spirited. The clear loser was the American people

Argument: Perfection is not possible in this life, and even mature Christians can stumble in these areas. Salvation brings transformation and the pattern of sin will be broken. One area of life that yields transparency is our communication. Our patterns of relating to other reveal what is in our hearts

Application: Self-examination. How are you doing in these areas? Be honest with yourself because you probably aren’t fooling others, and you definitely aren’t fooling God.

A True Believer will continually divest himself of moral evil (James 1:21a)

Explanation: James presents the idea that a believer will be involved in the process of “taking off” the filth of the world system.

Illustrate: a person who works a job that involves getting messy (garbage man, a cleaner of chicken farms, sewage disposal, etc). They clean up every day and they take off their soiled clothing

Argument: Fighting sin is a constant in the life of a believer. When we overcome a temptation through depending on Jesus, another trial pops up in our life. We are in the world, and the world system will continue to attack us in an effort to wear us down. The TB will be vigilant in his or her effort to prevent becoming comfortable with moral evil.

Application: Have you allowed yourself to become comfortable with sin? People who live on pig farms don’t even notice the smell because they get used to it. Don’t get comfortable with sin!

A True Believer will have a continued interest in the Word (James 1:21b)

Explanation: James stresses the continued importance of “receiving” the engrafted Word. The word means that the Word has been implanted, that it was put in is by God Himself. James goes on to say that the Word is that which brings us to salvation.

Remember that his audience consists of believers. James is telling these who are already in the faith that they are to “receive” the Word. The idea presented is that one who is already saved will have a continued desire to be associated with the Word. He or she will want to get more and more of it.

Illustrate: Blair has a desire for milk. She needs it and she wants it. When she doesn’t have it, it bothers her.

Argument: A baby doesn’t have to be taught to like milk. Likewise a believer who has the indwelling of the Holy Spirit doesn’t have to be taught to realize his or her need for the Word. Believers do need to be taught and nurtured in the Word, but they have a supernatural desire for it.

Application: What is your desire for the Word. Are you “receiving” the implanted Word? There are those who profess to know Christ but have no desire for His Word. Those people are not genuine believers according to the teaching of Scripture

A False Professor will not display life change - he or she will be unmoved by the Word (James 1:22-24, 26)

Explanation: James gives us a picture of an unbeliever. But this unbeliever is not one who is like an atheist or a person who rejects the Word. James is describing a person who thinks he or she is saved, but is still lost. James states that this person is like one who looks in a mirror and then immediately forgets what the image showed.

Illustrate: one of my youth had no desire at all for spiritual matters. Completely disengaged with spiritual teaching. As an adult he is living an immoral life. I heard his parent state years ago, “all of my kids are saved, but one of them just isn’t living it now.”

Argument: James is presenting an argument with the idea of the mirror. He is using the mirror as a means of moral reflection, not just a device that reflects an image. When a person takes a real, honest appraisal of himself through the lens of the Word , he discovers the moral evil that is present.

A deceived person can somehow look at the divine mirror and think he is alright. Even though he is “forgetful” and experiences no real life change, he believes he is on the Jesus team.

Application: Have you been transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit? (2 Cor 5:17) Too many nominal Christians (deceived lost people) are trusting in an experience (a prayer or baptism) that made absolutely no difference.

A True Believer will be a Humble Servant of the Word (James 1:22a, 25, 27)

Explanation: James makes the contrast in very clear terms. Genuine believers not only hear the Word, they obey it. They are “doers of the Word” and this is the consistent pattern of their lives.

These are the folks who “look into the perfect law of liberty” and walk according to the teachings of the Word. Again, this is the pattern of their lives. Not perfection, but it will be obvious to an onlooker that they are people of faith.

James gives a final description of the genuine believer in this section when he addresses the one who ministers the the orphans and widows, and keeps himself free of worldliness. This is a summary statement, not meant as the end all, be all of religion activity. The idea is that a true Christian ministers to those who cannot repay him; those who are distressed by their life situations. It doesn’t mean that if you haven’t directly ministered to a widow or an orphan you aren’t saved.

Argument: A Christ-follower will have a heart for ministry. He or she will put their belief in action and minister to others. A genuine believer will not be content to just sit and soak - belief leads to action

Application: Do not have the mindset of “what’s in this for me?” Instead of coming with the attitude of “what can I get today?” have the attitude of “what can I give today?” Be a doer of the Word and serve others in the Name of Jesus!