CHRISTIAN CHARACTER

Last week we started our new sermon series – Genuine Faith – the Book of James. And in verses 1 – 18 we talked about being tried and true –

The Persecution – have joy – remain steadfast

The Promise – seek God’s wisdom and He will give it

The Possession – be thankful no matter what – we can’t take anything with us – so be obedient to God

The Problem – Outward persecution and the inward temptations – don’t allow the world to give you permission to sin nor define what sin is

The Perfection – Every good and perfect gift is from an unchanging non-fluctuating God.

But God wants more than for us than to just withstand trials – He wants us to be able to remain steadfast but in order to that do we must be hearers and doers of the word.

Let Us Pray.

James 1:19-27

Hearing and Doing the Word

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. 26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

God wants His people to triumph over their trials but also to live in obedience to His commandments. As followers of Christ, we need to develop perseverance in trials and accept the outcome no matter the results.

II. The Danger of Listless Listening (vv. 19–27)

Here James warns us to not pretend but listen, obey instead of deceive, serve and not talk.

A. PURGING—vv. 19–21

A warning against ignoring God’s Word (vv. 19–21)

1. Tongue—v. 19. Swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.

Need to apply this to both our interactions with each and with God

Quick to listen – to others – difference between listen and hear – to listen is intentional

Do we allow God talk time in our lives? Prayers?

Slow to speak – slow to speak so we fully understand; prevents hasty not thought-out reactions

Slow to anger – we cannot hear from God with bitterness, unrighteous anger, resentment in our heart

A wise person listens to God and responds not reacts – is careful with words and actions

2. Temper—v. 20. Man’s wrath does not please God.

Prov. 29:22 – an angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins.

Thomas Lea says it this way – It is impossible to look at the disorderly conduct of fighting believers and worship the God they profess to serve. This should make Christians cautious in our display of an angry spirit.

3. Tainted—v. 21. Need God’s Word to cleanse us.

Get rid of any attitude that does not align with God’s Word, God’s presence

In meekness, in submission and quietness accept the Word of God planted in your heart

B. THE PURITY—vv. 22–27

A contrast of responses to God’s command (vv. 22–25)

1. Deception—vv. 22–25. Hearing and doing His Word.

If all you do is hear the Word and do the Word – your deceive yourself

Literally, James is saying keep on becoming a doer of the Word

Luke 11:28 – Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

Looks into the law – same word John used to describe the disciples bend over to look into the tomb –

According to Edgar Dale – we only remember 20% of what we hear but 95% of what teach others – we can only teach by doing –

Obedient Christians do these 4 –

1. Look intently into the Word

2. Continue to do what God says

3. Listen not hear – they don’t forget because they listened

4. Follow God’s Word

John 8:31 – 32 – says If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Psalm 1:1 – 3 – Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

The evidence of listening to God’s Word (vv. 26–27)

2. Discipline—vv. 26–27. Control of the tongue.

If you do not hold your tongue – if you are quick to speak you deceive yourself

If not – your religion is worthless, empty

Unstained from the world, not polluted by the world – we can called to be in it not of it. Keep yourself from the selfishness of the world – speak what’s on your mind – you have a right to be heard,

Jesus had the right to be heard but He remained silent. Don’t engage with fools less you be brought to their level

Principles

• God does not use evil to tempt his children to disobedience.

• All good has its source in our God.

• Submission to God’s demands brings a blessing in the act of obeying.

• Controlling what we say gives evidence of our obedience.

• Caring for the weak and needy shows we are following Christ.

Applications

• Accept responsibility for your own sins and failures.

• Obey God’s Word when you hear it.

• Be unselfish in service to others.

• Separate yourself from sin.

The Great Philosopher Obi Wan Kenobi once said - “Who's the more foolish? The fool or the fool who follows him?”

Prov. 17:28: “Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue

Abraham Lincoln said it this way - Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt.

Prov. 13:3 Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

Listening is intentional, hearing is allowing sound to enter you mind -

How are you with the quick to listen? Do you really listen or just hear?

How are you with the slow to speak? Do you really listen to others? God? Or are you just quick to give your own 2 cents?

How quick are you to anger?

How would you classify yourself – a Christian doer or a Christian hearer?

How would others classify you?

How are you going to apply God’s word from James’ letter in your life? How will you allow it to change you?