SUBMIT YOURSELF TO GOD -- JAMES FOUR -- James chapter 3 ends with a contrast of earthly wisdom and wisdom that is from above. "...This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that i... [ Continue Reading ]
_DO NOT BE FILLED WITH PRIDE -- JAMES 4:1-5 :_ Here James deals with the source or origin of altercations among brethren. He listed as causes of these wars and fightings: (1) a lust after worldly things, (2) too much stress on worldly pleasures, and (3) valuing too highly worldly friendships. Lust l... [ Continue Reading ]
_DO NOT BE GUILTY OF WORLDLINESS-- JAMES 4:6-10:_ James said, "God resisteth the proud." Pride is the great hindrance to righteousness. Pride leads the list of the seven things God hates. (Proverbs 6:16-19) It led to Satan's fall and has destroyed many humans as well. Our pride puts us at enmity wit... [ Continue Reading ]
_DO NOT JUDGE A BROTHER -- JAMES 4:11-12:_ Everything that we say about others must be guided by the law of kindness and the spirit of Christ. Solomon said of the worthy woman, "She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness." (Proverbs 31:26) It must also be so with us... [ Continue Reading ]
_DO NOT BOAST ABOUT TOMORROW -- JAMES 4:13-17:_ James gives a vivid picture of some who made great plans for the future. Their sin was not in planning for the future, but in failing to consider God in their plans. The uncertainty of tomorrow is stressed throughout the pages of the Bible. Our earthl... [ Continue Reading ]