How many preachers today even talk about trials, suffering, sin, repentance, our best defense, doin' the word while contending with the flesh?
In his epistle (James was written in A.D. 44-49 and like all of the general epistles except Hebrews, this letter is named after its author - v. 1). I enjoy how James relies on many word pics from nature (illustrations). In chapter 1, James compares doubt to the waves of the sea (and us surfers like that - v. 6), riches to fading flowers (vv. 9–10), and sin to pregnancy (vv. 13–15; Ps. 7:14), weeds (v. 21), and dirt (v. 27). As you continue to read, notice how James uses pictures to make truth vivid and memorable.
“He is already half false who speculates on truth and does not do it. Truth is given, not to be contemplated, but to be done.” ~ F.W. Robertson
I know me well, and without the Spirit's lead James certainly didn’t begin his epistle the way I would have done it. If I were James, I’m afraid I would have identified myself not as James did, a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, but as James THE BROTHER OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!
James the Just, however, was a man who, although he was very honest (straightforward) as we have seen, was also known as a man of tremendous humility. He doesn’t point to self or self-promote, he doesn't pull rank; he doesn’t drop names for gain; he simply considers himself a spiritual and practical type of servant.
* Eusebius recorded that Clement of Alexandria related, "This James, whom the people of old called the Just because of his outstanding Christian virtue," was a kind key leader with a shepherd's heart in the Jerusalem church.
"..to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting." James 1:1b
“The twelve tribes” is a reference to the Jewish people scattered throughout the world (the Jewish Diaspora), who had come to a knowledge of the true Messiah and had become believers in Christ.
"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations." James 1:2
Newer translations render this verse “Count it all joy when ye fall into various trials.” Why? The Greek word for both “trial” and “temptation” is the same term. You see, what God will send or allow as a trial to strengthen our faith, Satan will seek to exploit in order to get us to sin. Conversely, what Satan throws our way as a temptation, God allows to be a trial that ends up blessing us (Rom 8:28). Satan wants to use the event to tear us down or to wipe us out completely, but God wants to use the same event to show us how faithful and good He is. How real He can be as our defense.
Perhaps think of it this way: If an expert woodworker, invited me over to sit in a chair that he'd custom made, would I go do so wondering if that chair would hold me up? Nope. Knowing him I’d just sit in it with confidence while marveling at how well it was crafted. If, on the other hand, Barney (made up name) invited me over to sit down in a chair, I might be slightly leery, knowing it would probably either be pulled out from under me, or be really weak and collapse underneath me. So too, the chair that religious Satan seeks to pull out from under us is the very one that God uses to show just how strong He can be.
James ain't so interested in how great we pose or can talk it, but more so in how we walk it. Do you walk your good talk? He ain't interested in how high we'll emotionally jump and leap, but he's very interested in how straight we walk after we land. After establishing this firmly in James 1 and 2, we saw James back this up in chapter 3.
Remember our words are important though: What we say does not eclipse what we do—our words still can make an impact for Christ.
Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks,” Matt. 12:34
So in chapter 4, we see James the Just deal with the issue of the heart.
The heart of the real issue is the real issue of the heart!
The reason we wrangle with believers, war, wrestle and fight with.. or put other people down (see James 4:1, 2) is a heart issue. We all need a new heart and new nature inside -- we all need new life in Christ!
You know gossiping about other people is selfishly done because typically we want something from others for ourselves! It's carnal selfishness. It's so stupid to do that. Sin is indeed stupid and you know how "stupid just comes back to bite ya!"
It's like thinking and then talking about that other guy in a negative way will somehow make me look better to a person or to a group. If I step on him or wedge him out, then I'll go up higher. But for believers the way up is down. What do I call the Christian walk (in this world that's been turned upside down)? I call it upside down living. Cuz personally I prefer right side up again -- turned right by Jesus.
The only way to get what our heart really craves is not to prey on others for politic to force them away. It's to glorify the Lord with your life being a blessing.. to pray for people and to humbly serve others. Yes, to earnestly pray in faith to the Father in the mighty name of Jesus!
Q: What do you profess and what do you possess (Christ's salvation -- I hope so)?
The book of James is about tests and tests can be evangelistic! One of the best tests of Christian reality.. and of spiritual maturity is tribulation. When God’s people go through personal trials, they then discover what kind of faith they really possess.
Is it mere said-faith or is it saving faith?
Obtain and enjoy saving faith! I say that the walk of faith is more about impartation from the Lord rather than mere imitation. Do I want to decide like and act like Jesus did, do I want to imitate Christ's actions of following the Spirit's lead? He did that moment by moment? Sure I do, but more importantly for me.. is Christ living on the inside.. as Lord? Is the Spirit with His empowering on the inside of me? So glad the Father imparts to us.
Live separate from this worldly system. We are to be in the world but not of it. Love God with all you are, love and pray for people, but hate the darkness of Satan's corrupt evil system.
No matter the trials you face. Trials in the life of real Christians not only reveal our faith; they also develop our faith and Christian character. God does that developing by allowing the trails as we stay focused on Him.
The Jews to whom James was writing to were experiencing some fiery trials, and James wanted to encourage them.
In Christ you have the very best defense so hold on to Him!
James tells them to rejoice in the Lord through it all! The word “greeting” in the book can mean “rejoice!” How is the Christian able to thank and praise God in all circumstances (in -- cuz I don't mean for all circumstances)? How can we experience JOY in the midst of real troubles (trials)? We have a Defender who loves us and has a plan. James gives us the answer by showing the certainties Christians have in times of spiritual attack, tribulation, testing and trials.
You’ve got the most superior defense, believer. You’re not alone!
The Bible says, "The thief (the devil) comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I (Jesus) am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. " John 10:10-29 esv #emph.mine
You might have been solo at one time, believer, but now you’re never alone!
And don't stop there. Keep on coming to Him willing to let Jesus change you from the inside out.. into who you’ve always wanted to be.
Yes, more you than you’ve been before. The enemy totally doesn’t want that! Whether as accuser, adversary, or destroyer, it is clear that the devil is the real enemy of God and God's people (Job 1—2; Zechariah 3:1–2; Ephesians 2:2; 1 John 5:19; Revelation 12:9).
"Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." ~ James 4:7
What does it mean to resist the devil?
What does it mean that if you draw near to God, He will draw near to you (James 4:8)?
How does a person resist the Devil?
Why will such resistance cause the devil to flee?
Does a believer have authority over Satan himself?
What does it mean that we do not fight against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12)?
What is real sanctification? Sanctification is biblically putting into practice what you already are in position, believer. Yes, positionally in Christ. It's not about being a mere hearer of truth, but about being a doer of the word. Sanctification is about wisely acting like it.. what you now really are, Christian. You have died with Him (Your sins and iniquities were upon Jesus on that tree a.k.a. cross. Rom. 6:8-18, Col. 2:20). You were then buried with him. You've been raised with him. You are new in Christ. You are a new creation and it isn't because of anything you've done to earn it. It's not about you today, it's all about Him and what He wants!
What are some Bible verses about sin?
What does the Bible clearly tells us to do? “Submit to God,” and then to “resist the devil” (Jam. 4:7). This doesn’t mean we are to go out and yell at to attack the devil. The devil will do the attacking without any invitation from anyone. The word “resist” is indeed a defensive word for us meaning “to withstand an attack.”
Because Lu-Cifer (the devil) totally hates Christ and all Christians, therefore born again believers are the targets -- the ones he attacks.
The Bible does not instruct us to “converse with the devil and he will flee from us” or to “consider all of the temptations the devil offers people, then resist him, and he will flee from us.” God doesn't tell us to “cast the devil out of real believers” (he’s not even in them). God doesn’t tell us to have any “extended conversations with the devil” as some so called believers also seem to enjoy doing.
Simply know and share the gospel simply and do it simply. But once you take your Christian liberty too far.. once you start messing around with sin, with the devil and his gang, it is only a matter of time before you get tempted and hooked so to speak.
Ever partook of those free samples that you’re offered when you walk through some mall? You're given just enough to an arouse a desire, an interest in something. Yes, to whet your appetite so you'll pull out your wallet and then spend, but it's not enough to satisfy your appetite. Lucifer's samples are far worse!
Hey, the devil has been at this business of tempting long. He's been attacking believers as well as others for a really long time. He is not without any thinking or planning; he will not necessarily present his full agenda to you. Instead, he'll say, “Take just a tiny nibble on this. Just have a little taste for the fun of it. It'll never hurt you -- you have Christian liberty right? Enjoy. Just this one little time.”
You know this. Remember how he went about tempting Adam and Eve in the garden? He didn't come to bless them. He does ever come in so you'll have abundant life, or life everlasting. Jesus does that. The devil lies, deceives, keeps lying, attacks, lies some more, destroys, and kills. It's who he is. Misery wants company. Yes, he does, in that lake of fire ahead for him.
This is why the Bible tells us to submit to God's (direct and delegated) Authority, and to resist the devil. Keep as much distance from him as possible.
If the ultimate dweeb knocks on your door, just ask the Lord to go answer it. We hang out with God and His people. We don't hang with that jerk. Flee from his temptations and don’t leave any forwarding address!
So where do we find the inner conviction to do this? Where do we get the firm resolve and strength to resist him? We need to seek first, to draw real close to, and to submit to God to be empowered by His Holy Spirit.. in order to resist the devil.
“Submit” is a good word (not a bad one). It's used to describe a soldier under the authority of his commander for a good purpose. This term speaks of a willing, conscious submission to God’s authority. It means to completely yield to, to surrender yourself to the Word and to the will of God. Why? Cuz God SO loves people and His plan is global! He also likes order and peace. In this life the Word is your best defense really.
It's true believer, the devil must flee away when we resist him with spiritual weapons cuz He who lives in us (Jesus Christ) is far greater and more powerful than the devil (1 John 4:4). Duh!
Just as the demons cower back and shriek in frightful terror before the presence of Christ, the devil must flee away from us when we simply resist him. It's cuz Christ dwells inside of us (Matthew 8:29; Romans 8:10; Colossians 1:27).
Christ has already triumphed over the devil's attacks and accusations by defeating the powers of sin and death while on the cross (1 Corinthians 15:54–57).
When the devil accuses a Christian of sin and guilt, the Christian can simply appeal to the Lord on the basis of His cross and His shed blood at Calvary (Eph. 2:13; Heb. 9:26). When the devil attacks a Christian with doubts etc about God's wonderful promises and goodness, then the Christian can counter all that with the sword of the Spirit. That’s the living word. If you are away, please come to Him now!
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| Photos by Dan Burka and Patrick Schneider |
What are some Bible verses about the devil?
Who even is this Satan in the Bible?
What does it mean to be a slave to sin?
What is deliverance ministry, and is it biblical?
Do Christians have the authority to rebuke the devil?
Why does Jesus say, “Do not resist an evil person” in Matthew 5:39?
Which James? Of the four men named "James" in the New Testament, two of them are legitimate candidates for authorship of this epistle of James. No one has seriously considered James the Less, the son of Alphaeus (Matt. 10:3; Acts 1:13), or James the father of Judas, (not Iscariot. Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13). Some people have suggested James the son of Zebedee and brother of John (Matt. 4:21), but he was martyred (much too) early to have written it (Acts 12:2). This leaves only James, the oldest half-brother of Jesus (see Mark 6:3) and brother of Jude (Matt. 13:55), who also wrote the epistle that bears his name (Jude 1).
James had at first not believed. He rejected Jesus as Messiah (John 7:5), but later did believe (1 Cor. 15:7). Remember how James presided over the council called to settle the dispute about the Gentile converts (Acts 15:13-29). He was the key leader in the Jerusalem church (see Acts 12:17; 21:18; Gal. 2:12), as one of the “pillars” of that church, along with Peter and John (Gal. 2:9).
Yes, he was known as James the Just (or "the great" as well) because of his honest straightforward walk, and devotion to righteousness. This James was martyred around A.D. 62, according to the first century Jewish historian Josephus. Comparing James’ vocabulary in the letter he wrote which is recorded in Acts 15 with that in the epistle of James also corroborates his authorship of this epistle.
- JAMES 1: Patience in Trials
- JAMES 2: Faith and Works
- JAMES 3: The Unruly Member
- JAMES 4: Love Not the World
- JAMES 5: The Latter Rain
JAMES 4 overview: Love Not The Corrupt World System, Instead Hate It Along With Sin (Hate Not The People Of The World. Show Love Toward Them).
To who? With authority James wrote as of one who had personally seen the resurrected Christ (1 Cor. 15:7) cuz he had. He was recognized as an associate of the apostles (Gal. 1:19), and who was the leader of the Jerusalem church.
James wrote this epistle to believers who were scattered about (1:1) as a result of the unrest we see recorded in Acts 12 (ca. A.D. 44). There is no mention of the Council of Jerusalem described in Acts 15 (ca. A.D. 49), which would be expected if that Council had already taken place. Therefore, James can be reliably dated at about A.D. 44–49, making it the earliest written book of the NT canon.
Background and Setting of James: The recipients of this book were Jewish believers who had been dispersed (1:1), possibly as a result of Stephen’s martyrdom (Acts 7, A.D. 31–34), but more likely due to the persecution under Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12, ca. A.D. 44). The author refers to his audience as “brethren” 15 times (1:2,16,19; 2:1,5,14; 3:1,10,12; 4:11; 5:7,9,10,12,19), which was a common epithet among the first century Jews. Not surprisingly, then, James is Jewish in its content. For example, the Greek word translated “assembly” (2:2) is the word for “synagogue.” Further, James contains more than 40 allusions to the OT (and more than 20 to the Sermon on the Mount, Matt. 5–7).
