"When the Mirror Doesn't Lie!"

James has just written to his believing friends that their spiritual birth was the product of God’s Word – (1:18)!

NOW he is about to challenge them to take this same Word seriously in their DAILY WALK!

The REALITY of outward trials and inward temptations call for something more than an initial experience with God!

His wisdom is needed EVERY DAY!

And one of the BEST SOURCES for God’s WISDOM is the Word of God!

Psalm 19:7 CSB

The instruction of the Lord is perfect, renewing one’s life; the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise.

Psalm 119:97–105 CSB

How I love your instruction! It is my meditation all day long. Your command makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is always with me. I have more insight than all my teachers because your decrees are my meditation. I understand more than the elders because I obey your precepts. I have kept my feet from every evil path to follow your word. I have not turned from your judgments, for you yourself have instructed me. How sweet your word is to my taste— sweeter than honey in my mouth. I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

READ TEXT (James 1:19-27) - PRAY

In this central passage on the importance and priority of God’s Word, James takes us through a SIX-STEP process that begins with the necessary preparation for study and ends with the difference the Bible can make in a person’s life.

I. Step One: PREPARATION – (1:19-21a)

A. CONCENTRATE Your Attention – (v.19a) – “Know this…let every person be quick to hear…”

In James’ day this was very important because most learning was done through listening!

Few believers had copies of the Scriptures—they depended on hearing them read and preached in public services!

Romans 10:17 CSB

So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 CSB

This is why we constantly thank God, because when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you welcomed it not as a human message, but as it truly is, the word of God, which also works effectively in you who believe.

1 Timothy 4:13 CSB

Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching.

In OUR CULTURE TODAY, many are indifferent to the Word of God – (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

B. CONTROL Your TONGUE – (v.19b) – “…slow to speak”

Epictetus – “Nature has given to man one tongue, but two ears, that we may hear from others twice as much as we speak.”

Proverbs 10:19 CSB

When there are many words, sin is unavoidable, but the one who controls his lips is prudent.

Proverbs 13:3 CSB

The one who guards his mouth protects his life; the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.

Proverbs 17:27–28 CSB

The one who has knowledge restrains his words, and one who keeps a cool head is a person of understanding. Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent— discerning, when he seals his lips.

Matthew 12:36–37 CSB

I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

C. CONTAIN Your ANGER – (vv.19c-20)

Often in the early church assemblies, the anger of the participants would come out as different ones expounded with own personal opinions about various issues.

“…anger”(“wrath”) meant “an ongoing attitude of bitterness and dislike.”

REMINDER, (v.19) says, “…let every person…” There’s no excuses or exceptions! Your hair color, or heritage, or upbringing does not give you a pass!

(v.20) – Such an attitude was in opposition to the “…righteousness of God!”

Proverbs 16:32 CSB

Patience is better than power, and controlling one’s emotions, than capturing a city.

Proverbs 29:22 CSB

An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered one increases rebellion.

Ephesians 4:31 CSB

Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice.

D. CLEAN UP Your LIFE – (v.21a) – “Therefore put away all filthiness…”

If your MORAL life is out of control, the result can be devastating to understanding God’s Word!

“…and rampant wickedness” (NKJV – “overflow of wickedness”) – Some sins we commit affect only ourselves! However, there are other sins that overflow and touch the lives of others!

II. Step TWO: RECEPTION – (1:21b)

“…receive” (NIV – “accept”; NRSV – “welcome”) is translated several times in the NT as “welcome!”

We are not to passively examine the Word, but we are to welcome it into our hearts!

As to the manner, we receive with “…meekness the implanted word” (NIV – “with humility”)!

I literally bow before the wisdom and will of God, admitting that I do not have the answers for life.

It is all to possible to read the Bible without letting it speak to us!

Pride (the opposite of humility), hardness, and sin can make us unresponsive and unreceptive.

Psalm 25:9 CSB

He leads the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.

Isaiah 66:2 CSB

My hand made all these things, and so they all came into being. This is the Lord’s declaration. I will look favorably on this kind of person: one who is humble, submissive in spirit, and trembles at my word.

FINALLY (this morning), it is the, “…implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”

1 Peter 1:23 CSB

because you have been born again—not of perishable seed but of imperishable—through the living and enduring word of God.