James 4:7

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James 4:7


7 Submit yourselves [hupotasso] therefore [oun] to God [theos]. Resist [anthistemi] the devil [diabolos], and [kai] he will flee [pheugo] from [apo] you [humon]. KJV-Interlinear


7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. NASB


Submit means not what you would think it means. Typically, we think of submit, as meaning to present yourself, or to surrender yourself in a passive or helpless fashion.

When we studied the Armageddon campaign, we saw that the Southern power, or the Arab states as we know them today, will submit to the Northern power, after the fashion of a woman forced onto her back and given no mercy by a an onslaught of men. And she does this in order to save herself, which she does not. This is a passive surrender with no attempt to get away.

Likewise, resist in this passage does not mean as you would think. Again, the Southern power was (or will in the future) resisting the Northern power, by fighting as best they could, but to no avail. This is an active attempt to fight off an attacker, but with no good results.

And in both of these examples, at the end of the Tribulation, the Southern power is the first of the four powers to vanish away from history, permanently.

But in this verse, submit, means to become proactive, to choose, to select, to give of ones self freely, to openly force oneself onto another. This is similar to a wife submitting to her husband, which does not carry the fist connotation, but the second. She openly and voluntarily chooses and pushes herself into her husband's life.

Likewise, we are to rush, attack, deeply desire, the Word of God, and hurry as though we might miss the last train, in order to get on board, and ride into our spiritual life.

Think of being the last to be chosen for a golden super jackpot prize, or a pile of doggie doo-doo. Think of having one last chance of eternal happiness or eternal terror. Think of coming extremely close to losing that thing you want the most in the whole wide world, where everything depends on your final and last decision or effort.

That is the mood, the panic, the fear of missing out, that you should display when pursuing your spiritual life. God has a mountain of gold, or a pile of doggie doo-doo for you. Which would you want to receive?

That is the attitude that you should take toward God and His grace, because that is the reality of the blessing difference you will receive, or not receive, depending on your attitude toward God and your spiritual life. This is the attitude that you should take in the conduct of your daily life.

Resist the devil? Do we go out and buy guns and armor? Do we go out and burn all witches and bad guys? No.

This resistance is a passive one, not an active one. Our resistance is simply thinking doctrine, and not thinking wickedness. And, conducting or daily lives accordingly.

In both cases, evil and temptation will fade from your thinking, and Gods blessings will enter into your life.

James 4:6

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James 4:6


6 But [de] he giveth [didomi] more [meizon] grace [charis]. Wherefore [dio] he saith [lego], God [theos] resisteth [antitassomai] the proud [huperephanos], but [de] giveth [didomi] grace [charis] unto the humble [tapeinos]. KJV-Interlinear


6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, 'God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.' NASB


James is writing this letter to Jewish believers, and to all believers indirectly. He is not writing to unbelievers.

Thus far his message is, that you not be double minded, that you not operate in your life in a manner that suits you out of convenience at any given moment, that you not imitate the pattern of life of unbelievers, that you not consider your natural instincts as the primary design of your makeup, that you not function in your daily life in an envious mode, and so forth.

Because the world offers nothing of value as a reward for your thoughts, beliefs, or actions, or even the results of these things.

To all of humanity, God offers common grace. We all have air to breath, water to drink, divine establishment laws that rule society, economies, and nations, and provide stability in a world that is determined to run itself by jungle laws.

But to believers there is a spiritual grace that is unique to believers only.

When you believed in Christ, you became a member of Gods family. And as a member of Gods family, you are … well … family. In contrast, unbelievers are not family. They are strangers.

God treats His family with His family rules. We receive His discipline and we receive His special family grace. A grace which we simply call spiritual grace.

But James introduces us to a new category of grace. He calls it 'more' grace. And the word for more, 'meizon' actually means 'greater.' And greater, does not mean more of the same thing, but a higher level or a higher category of the policy we call grace.

Blessings in the spiritual life are unique to believers. They are not available to unbelievers. But as you advance to spiritual maturity, then you become a recipient of 'greater' grace blessings, which are unique to mature believers only, not to immature believers.

A child does not have the privilege to drive a car. He has to grow up into an adult before he can get a drivers license. In similar fashion, a mature believer has more capacity, ability, and responsibility to handle the greater blessings of the mature spiritual life.

And this is why so many folks do not receive these special blessings in life, because they do not get out of their 'baby' mode, they do not get out of their double minded mode, they do not get out of their 'world first' mode, and get on with their spiritual growth.

God opposes, or does not favor those who embrace the carnal life style. They choose to live under the control of the sin nature. But God does favor those who pursue the spiritual life, here described as the, 'humble.'

And again, the Bible makes it very clear that there is benefit, there is advantage, there is a unique gain when the spiritual life is pursued. And when it is ignored, there is nothing!

So why do you suppose folks do not subscribe to the mandates of God, but instead embrace their own ideas regarding life?

James 4:5

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James 4:5


5 [e] Do ye think [dokeo] that [hoti] the scripture [graphe] saith [lego] in vain [kenos], The spirit [pneuma] that [hos] dwelleth [katoikeo] in [en] us [hemin] lusteth [epipotheo] to [pros] envy [phthonos]? KJV-Interlinear


5 Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: 'He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us'? NASB


Well, if you have seen the news earlier, then you know that our national election just got really interesting, with the surprise announcement of the Republican V.P. candidate.

Rest assured, that Jesus Christ controls history. We know that our dispensation, the Church Age, is getting closer and closer, with each passing day, to its end. That end could still be decades away, and our history could easily have many ups and downs before it is all over. And in many cases, God allows humanity to choose its own leadership, whether good or bad. Perhaps good leadership will continue for a little while longer. Time will tell, I guess.

Anyway, continuing with James comments on the nature of the human condition.

Just because we have within us, a sin nature, and that its residence in our physical bodies is universal among humanity, that does not mean that its existence is normal, appropriate, or even good. Because it is not.

Just because the popular beliefs in this world are highly pursued by millions and even billions of people, does not mean that they are right, and God is wrong.

Truth comes only from God. It never originates from man.

Falsehoods originate from man, and in fact they originate from Satan, with man simply perpetuating and improving on Satan's fundamental concepts, which oppose truth.

And just because these facts exist, do you also believe that it is the fundamental nature of the spirit inside of us, to embrace the envious nature of sin?

The spirit inside of us can refer to the fundamental human spirit, which is our human life. Or you can refer to the spirit in us as being a reference to the Holy Spirit, which resides in believers.

And the answer to either presumption of fundamental human life or of the Holy Spirit indwelling, is that neither have been brought into existence by God, for the basic urges of evil.

Human life is created perfect, but then it is combined with the sin nature in the physical body and volition takes temptation and turns itself toward evil. Human life in the soul, and biological life in the physical body with its sin nature, are separate entities.

The Holy Spirit was placed inside of each believer at the moment of their faith belief in Christ, and that indwelling was made perfect. But again, it is the volition of the believer that commits sin and takes himself out of fellowship. And likewise, the Holy Spirit, the human life in the soul, and the physical body are separate entities.

The sin nature tries to exert its forceful influence on the individual through the many passions or inadequacies of sin, by means of deceit.

The Holy Spirit communicates the fundamental principles of doctrine, which allows the individual the freedom to make a choice without coercion.

God did not create life or its support mechanisms, whether carnal or spiritual, for the purpose of engaging in sin. God created us with the objective of making us perfect. People just get in the way of their own divinely designed destiny, and mess things up.

James 4:4

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James 4:4


4 Ye adulterers [moichos] and [kai] adulteresses [moichalis], know ye [eido] not [ou] that [hoti] the friendship [philia] of the world [kosmos] is [esti] enmity [echthra] with God [theos]? whosoever [hos] [an] therefore [oun] will be [einai] [boulomai] a friend [philos] of the world [kosmos] is [kathistemi] the enemy [echthros] of God [theos]. KJV-Interlinear


4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. NASB


We all have our one true love in our life. We all have our one true companion in life. And that one, is Bible doctrine. And through doctrine, which is designed to function within the spiritual sphere of life, we have a relationship with God, through Christ.

By being indifferent, by being disinterested, by pursuing anything other than our spiritual life, we are in effect committing adultery against our spiritual existence.

We are allowing the world to entice us, while we cheat on that which God has designed specifically and exclusively for each one of us.

So we cheat on our one true love, our one true and perfect love, our one and true and perfect companion. In salvation we were not only born again into a new and supernatural life, we were also married, as it were, to Christ. That is the perfect marriage made in heaven, which is intended to have phenomenal blessings for us.

In a perfect world, a man, a rich man, marries a woman, a beautiful woman. And, they live happily ever after, with him taking care of and pampering his wife. She provides the softness and beauty and pleasures for him and he provides the financial means for enjoying life, free from problems.

Of course this is not a perfect world and marriage generally offers more problems than it solves.

The two who are married, begin to look elsewhere and their troubles escalate exponentially, until there is a divorce.

In the spiritual life, humanity looks elsewhere toward the carnal world and lives his or her life outside of the spiritual realm. They cheat on God and embrace the world. They prostitute themselves in exchange for the cheap thrills that the world has to offer. And everything the world offers is by definition, cheap and worthless.

And in just two more verses, we will have a phenomenal contrast between these cheap thrills, and the awesome rewards that God has to offer.

But for now we learn, or we should learn, that anything of this world, is in direct opposition toward God. Anything in this world, which acts as a distraction, taking you away from a properly functioning spiritual life, is evil.

You are going to save the planet? You are going to save the world? You are going to save energy and wood, and fish and tender little animals that no one has ever heard of? You are going to define life as you see it to be? You are going to build up a life for yourself and not come to the aid of others under tyrants in the world?

You are trying to define your version of history?

And yet, one day, Christ is going to destroy it all. God did not place us here to make this world an eternally better place. He placed us here to be - 'perfect.' And our perfection requires a transformation of the mind, not the environment.

You can line up on Gods side and pursue your spiritual life, and everything else in this world will take care of itself.

Or, you can line up on the side of preserving the planet, forming an alliance with nature, reasoning with criminals and tyrants and religious fanatics, using only one square of toilet paper a day, taxing the rich, and otherwise pursuing your utopia, and become Gods enemy.

Wanted to throw the rich comment in there just to see if anyone will get angry, perhaps forgetting the study regarding Gods reservoirs of resources concept. Or perhaps get angry at anything stated here. Didn't the Pharisees get angry with Jesus when He stated truths?

And that is exactly what people of the world do, when they hear truth. They become intolerant and angry.

Which part do you play in life?

James 4:3

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James 4:3


3 Ye ask , and receive not , because ye ask amiss , that ye may consume it upon your lusts . KJV-Interlinear


3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. NASB


Bible doctrine and prayer are the components of our two-way dialogue with God. The written word is God speaking to each of us, and our prayer is our conversation with God.

In our current dispensation, there is no other form of communication between us and God. No dreams, no hearing of voices, no visions, no messenger angels, nothing but the written word which we study and thereby hear God through His written message in the scriptures.

Residence in fellowship is our online link with God. When in fellowship we are inside of Gods will, we are standing (as it were) in the presence of God, we are inside of His temple, protected by His fortress, and so forth. Our spiritual life operates only while we are resident in fellowship. Thus, prayer functions only while we are in fellowship.

When we commit sins and are out of fellowship, then our spiritual life becomes off-line, shut down, out of sync, we are standing outside and out of view of His presence, we are imitating unbelievers, so to speak, by operating in the world just as they do.

Prayer is our mechanism for making requests of God. However, there are prayer rules which must be followed, otherwise our prayers are not heard or acted upon.

And remember, that Gods overall policy is to do that which is best for us, not what we ask for.

Rule number one. You must offer your prayers while in fellowship. Any prayer offered while out of fellowship, is not received. Perfection does not lower itself to the levels of imperfection, and being out of fellowship is in effect a state of imperfection.

No unbelievers' prayer is ever heard, with one exception, and that is the moment of their belief in Christ. Salvation faith is in effect a prayer to the Father and He accepts that faith prayer and always grants salvation. That is divine policy - no exceptions.

And remember again, God always gives you that which is best for you, and compatible with His grace policy, and divine plan.

So, human history takes precedent in prayer. The details over your entire life takes precedent over your present moment. You may want something now, but that might interfere with something else in your later life, which would be better for you.

Prayer must be in sync with history. You cannot ask for the rapture now, because of your own selfish interest or misery now.

You cannot pray for someone else, to do or not do something. That interferes with their right to make their own decisions.

You cannot pray for anything that is from the sin nature. You cannot pray for anything that is incompatible with Gods grace policy. You cannot pray for anything that is inconsistent with truth.

Far too often people will pray for their own selfish interests, which have nothing to do with the function of their spiritual life.

But the biggest error that people make in prayer, is the error of being out of fellowship. The second biggest error, is the error of not advancing in their spiritual life, and thus not being familiar with Gods divine plan and policy, or not being oriented properly to life, to God, or to themselves.

And so the vast majority of all prayer, never gets any higher than the ceiling.

And even when you are in fellowship, and have substantial spiritual growth, your prayers must be compatible with Gods plan for human history, must be compatible with truth, must be compatible with Gods plan for your life, and must be in your best interest (and perhaps of people around you), in Gods view, not yours.

All prayer must be offered while in fellowship.

All prayer is directed to the Father, and to no one else. We do not pray to Jesus, to Mary, to birds, to angels, to wolves, or to the moon.

All prayer must be offered in Christ's name. Jesus Christ is our only means of approach to the Father. There is no other means, or method, or path of access.

And when you do not follow these requirements of prayer, then you are wasting your time. The more you advance in your spiritual life, the more effective your prayer life will become. The more you lack in your spiritual life, the less effective your prayers will be.

James 4:2

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James 4:2


2 Ye lust [epithumeo], and [kai] have [echo] not [ou]: ye kill [phoneuo], and [kai] desire to have [zeloo], and [kai] cannot [ou] [dunamai] obtain [epitugchano]: ye fight [machomai] and [kai] war [polemeo], yet [de] ye have [echo] not [ou], because [dia] ye [humas] ask [aiteo] not [me]. KJV-Interlinear


2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. NASB


Mankind will lust for things, desire things, even commit murder in order to get the things he wants. And this ultimate sin, murder, is often used to justify an objective of getting something or establishing a belief in something, which things are falsehoods or temporary anyway.

Humanity will take life which is eternal, in order to obtain something that is temporary or false. Mankind will commit sin, prejudice, deceit, hatred, gossip, and so forth and in so doing exchange his eternal destiny for something that is temporary in this life.

Esau exchanged his birthright, his entire inheritance, for a single meal. Was that a smart trade? No. But then he never intended to keep his end of the bargain. He intended to cheat Jacob out of both the meal and the inheritance.

And no one can fool God and have life both ways.

So you repeatedly do things over and over again, and get the same results - nothing. And you get these poor results, you do not get what you expect to get, you are never satisfied, because the sin nature is incapable of providing what you want, and you do not look to God in the correct way, in order to get what you want.

And when you do ask, you ask for illegitimate things, or you want illegitimate desires fulfilled, or your whole pattern of life is based on the priorities of the sin nature.

Whether you want passion or power, wealth or food, something personal or something public, or whatever, when its source is based in the sin nature, then the only results you can get, are false or poor results.

Seeking provision from the sin nature produces dissatisfaction, never fulfillment. There will never be enough of whatever it is you want or need. Sooner or later, your attitude will resort to greater sins, even murder, even as you murder (ruin) your own destiny (life), in stubbornness, without having a second thought about it.

And who drives your attitude? You do. You are your own worst enemy and you are the only one who drives and drives and refuses to relent on your sin nature driven attitude or pattern of life.

Whether you are destitute or a billionaire, when operating in the clutches of your sin nature, you will never have fulfillment in life. You have only the delusion of what the world provides you with temporarily, or the perpetual frustration of never succeeding in life, or the constant agitation of facing problems in life.

And as James teaches us here, all of these inabilities lead to blame and strife, and discontent or even violence against others. And all of these and aggravations are due to your refusal to approach God in the right way.

James 4:1

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James 4:1


1 From whence [pothen] come wars [polemos] and [kai] fightings [mache] among [en] you [humin]? come they not [ou] hence [enteuthen], even of [ek] your [humon] lusts [hedone] that war [strateuomai] in [en] your [humon] members [melos]? KJV-Interlinear


1 What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? NASB


I heard once a long time ago, a story in which an elder told a younger that he has to face the war within himself. There are two dogs at war within ones self. And the younger asked which one would win. The elder stated, 'The one to whom you say sick-em.'

And here James teaches us about the two dogs within us. What is the source of your contention? What is the source of your sin? What is the source of your sin nature?

It is described here as the pleasures that wage this war, from within the members of your body.

The sin nature resides in your physical body. It is at war with your soul.

When you allow it free reign, then it runs you. But, if you say no, if you stand up to the pleasures of your body, then you have a chance.

However, we have already studied that you, from the power of your own resources, cannot control the pleasures of your body.

But first what does the word, pleasures, mean?

As we saw recently, that is a reference to the various animalistic tendencies that come out of ones inner most needs or desires. These can be driven by hunger or cold, but in humanity, these tendencies are tied to arrogance.

Thus, the senses of appetite, desire, and lust are broad terms that can apply to gratification is every sense of the word, to indulgence whether mental indulgences or overt indulgences. It can be applied to seizing something by force or violence or deceit, to ambition, or to desires for fame or approbation. It can be applied to a small conflict in the street between thugs, or to the empire desires of a king or nation. It can be applied to the conflict or inordinate ambitions or competitions in social circles or in politics.

In short, pleasures, is a word that encompasses all of the sinful characteristics that exist within ones self. The desire for things, the love of advancement or conquest, the desire for power and rule, the urge for revenge, and so forth, are all brought about because of the war that exists within the members of ones body, and the inability of the soul to control it.

By the way, this is the reason that you cannot negotiate with criminals or tyrants. In order to negotiate one must first have two parties that are wiling to cooperate, and sin and good are never compatible negotiating parties. Since sin is uncontrollable, then trying to compromise with it is a losing proposition.

Good can never submit to the standards of evil and evil cannot rise to the standards of good.

In order to control sin, one must first have access to a power that is greater than sin. And that power comes only from God, and to us through doctrine. Anyone lacking these resources, cannot and never will, be able to control their sin nature tendencies. They will only delay or maneuver to a more advantageous situation.

As for you, your life will never get better so long as you keep on flirting with your sin nature. The sin nature has two areas of power - an area of weakness which is sin, and an area of strength which is human good. Both come out of the sin nature within you.

The sin nature will entice you with all manner of worldly arguments. And far too often people will bend to its call. It is simply easier to yield to ones pleasure vices (lust, anger, blame, wants, etc.), whatever they might be, rather than fighting them off with the self-discipline of doctrine.

James 3:18

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James 3:18


18 And [de] the fruit [karpos] of righteousness [dikaiosune] is sown [speiro] in [en] peace [eirene] of them that make [poieo] peace [eirene]. KJV-Interlinear


18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. NASB


The wisdom of the world is sown in strife, by those who pursue strife or selfish ends, and its only result is more strife, conflict, contention, dissension, and such .

The wisdom from heaven is sown by those who pursue Gods Word, and the result of their activity is peace, calm, harmony, prosperity, security, and ultimately happiness.

Our objective in this life, in this world, is not to become successful, wealthy, popular, influential, and so forth as the world defines these things. Not that these things are bad in themselves, for they are not inherently bad.

But, our objective in this life is to achieve peace. And peace achievement comes through spiritual growth to spiritual maturity.

All of those other things may come to you, if that is Gods will, because He may use you in achieving some other purpose of His, in His divine plan for human history.

Certainly all of those things, and much more, will be made available in eternity and in phenomenal abundance, for that is one of our goals in our eternal life (to be abundantly happy and more), which exists in eternity only.

While in this world, problems do exist, and misery seems to be the centerpiece of life, but then, this life is temporary only. This life in this world is our training ground, our learning center, our growth environment, preparing us for the next life.

The wisdom of this world produces only one thing, and that is a false sense of peace, a delusion, unreasonable expectations, disorientation to reality, a guaranteed path to misery and failure in life.

The wisdom of God, produces genuine peace, a relaxed mental attitude, poise, stability, and more. And eventually, phenomenal blessings that not one person, not the whole of humanity, can even begin to imagine.

James 3:17

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James 3:17


17 But [de] the wisdom [sophia] that is from above [anothen] is [esti] first [proton] pure [men] [hagnos], then [epeita] peaceable [eirenikos], gentle [epieikes], and easy to be intreated [eupeithes], full [mestos] of mercy [eleos] and [kai] good [agathos] fruits [karpos], without partiality [adiakritos], and [kai] without hypocrisy [anupokritos]. KJV-Interlinear


17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. NASB


The differences between the two wisdoms, worldly and spiritual, are phenomenal.

Worldly wisdom comes from evil and promotes evil, and there is nothing good about it. Even those who disagree with this statement cannot argue against the previous verses we have studied. However, they can argue over their interpretations, but there again, they use earthly wisdom or reason, in order to justify their position, and that in itself finds its origins in evil.

In this verse, James explains the differences.

Legitimate wisdom, comes only from heaven, from God, and we become aware of it through our study of the scriptures.

Wisdom is pure. And this simply means that it is without flaws, imperfections, charges of a criminal nature, and so forth. Earthly wisdom is embroiled in deceit, intimidation, threats, and strife, and cannot exist without these things.

Wisdom from above makes a person pure, unlike some religions that seem to believe that a person can become at peace with themselves through knowledge or oneness with nature.

In the case of doctrine, Gods objective for your life is to make you pure through doctrine. His objective in the Christian life is not to make you more intelligent, not to make you more witty, not to make you more brilliant, not to make you more memorable, not to make you more imaginative. Doctrine is there to produce in you, a mature spiritual life.

Being more competitive, intelligent, witty and so forth are earthly characteristics which are used by earthly minded folks in order to draw distinctions between themselves and others. Thus prejudice, bias, elitism, and such come about.

Purity of soul comes from doctrine in the soul and peace comes as a result of that spiritual growth. All fulfilling life comes from God, and from Gods design. Purity is related to the content of your soul, not from any overt works you might be able to perform yourself. Your spiritual actions will follow your spiritual growth. Growth does not result from actions, however actions can serve to reinforce your learning process as you process your life through the cycle of wisdom.

Once your spiritual growth begins to advance, then your life begins its total transformation. Doctrine first, then comes peace, humility, gentleness, reasonableness, tolerance, patience, poise, consistence in your daily life.

James 3:16

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James 3:16


16 For [gar] where [hopou] envying [zelos] and [kai] strife [eritheia] is, there [ekei] is confusion [akatastasia] and [kai] every [pas] evil [phaulos] work [pragma]. KJV-Interlinear


16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. NASB


The granddaddy of all sins is arrogance. Out of it, all evil and corruption flow. Envy is one of the worst of the sins, Prov. 6:16-19.

Out of it comes jealousy, greed, desire, resentment, and sooner or later, strife, trouble, conflict, discord, contention, dissension, opposition and rebellion.

These are the products of worldly wisdom. Nothing good ever comes from those who present themselves as wise in the world, when in fact they are not wise at all.

Worldly wisdom is what is left over when spiritual wisdom is disregarded.

We have, every four years in our country, national elections. These almost always make for great examples of worldly wisdom and its repercussions. Public opinion this year is saturated with worldy wisdom.

When doctrine is ignored, then people flock to the only thing that is left - worldly wisdom, and as we have read, the result will always be disaster if worldly wisdom prevails. Fortunately we have many elected officials, many governments (local, state, and federal) so the impact frrom any given region can be mitigated somewhat.

But when the consensus of an entire nation moves toward the wisdom of the world, then the real trouble will become apparent, sooner than later.

But God is gracious, and He has given us such a vast economy and complex system of society, that problems can be slowed down to some degree.

But, James paints the picture of the worst possible result of a society pursuing worldly wisdom. The hope of a society, in false wisdom, will turn to blame when things do not occur as they are expected to. The blame will turn into an even greater resolve to force worldly wisdom to work. Those failures will turn into greater problems, then disillusionment, and anger, and hate, and so forth.

And, as James states here very clearly, every evil thing will result. That is the worst possible situation that a person, group, or nation can find themselves in.

There are two opinions in existence - truth and evil. Truth comes from God, and evil comes from Satan.

For every principle of truth, Satan has invented a counter argument. And as evil takes hold of a society, the attacks against the principles of truth, increase dramatically, even to the point of the absurd. Evil will try with all of its might to destroy truth principles and all that they stand for, and with that destruction, society itself is destroyed.

James 3:14-15

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James 3:14-15


14 But [de] if [ei] ye have [echo] bitter [pikros] envying [zelos] and [kai] strife [eritheia] in [en] your [humon] hearts [kardia], glory [katakauchaomai] not [me], and [kai] lie not [pseudomai] against [kata] the truth [aletheia].
15 This [houtos] wisdom [sophia] descendeth [esti] [katerchomai] not [ou] from above [anothen], but [alla] is earthly [epigeios], sensual [psuchikos], devilish [daimoniodes]. KJV-Interlinear


14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. NASB


Bitterness, envying, strife, jealousy, and selfishness are all a part of the weaknesses making up the sin nature.

Sin begets sin begets sin, and just as a cancer that goes on and on without being checked, sin will continue like a parasite, until both the parasite and the host are totally consumed and dead. There is only one end for sin and the one who pursues it.

There are two types of wisdom - spiritual wisdom which is the only legitimate wisdom, and carnal wisdom which is totally false.

The false wisdom, or carnal wisdom, does not come from Heaven. It is, as James states here, earthly, natural, and demonic.

Earthly speaks to the carnal nature of humanity, or the nature which exists outside of the spiritual realm. The non-spiritual aspects of ones existence.

Natural speaks to the animalistic attributes of ones character. The sensual attributes, the natural drives of hunger, warmth, territorial characteristics, dominance, aggressive behaviors, lust drives and so forth from the view of an animal, totally apart from reason or human purpose.

Demonic speaks to the policies of Satan, which are evil. Anything that is in total opposition to truth.

So, there is no honor in the wisdom of this world. It is totally corrupt and has no good value.

All earthly views are dishonest and lies. You cannot modify or compromise the truth, which comes from God. And all attempts to utilize truth, by modifying it even a little bit in order to justify or make convenient your beliefs, results in your pretense of wisdom, when in fact your are committing yourself totally to a world of delusion.

There is only one environment that is real and true and that is the spiritual realm. Everything else is a divorce from reality.

James 3:13

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James 3:13


13 Who [tis] is a wise man [sophos] and [kai] endued with knowledge [epistemon] among [en] you [humin]? let him shew [deiknuo] out of [ek] a good [kalos] conversation [anastrophe] his [autos] works [ergon] with [en] meekness [prautes] of wisdom [sophia]. KJV-Interlinear


13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. NASB


Knowledge comes easily, wisdom not so easy. Knowledge is the mere accumulation of details and can easily be faked, abused, made ambiguous, and more often molded into whatever one wants it to become. Not so with wisdom.

Knowledge is a favorite tool of ego driven folks, scholars, politicians, celebrities, or want-to-be's, who perceive themselves as eminent, elite, or otherwise above all of the rest of us.

Their outward approbations are more important to them, than the correct use of their knowledge.

And James here, challenges us all who wish to be wise, to make our wisdom from understanding, to be consistent with our daily life. To approach wisdom from a life of humility rather than from attention getting ego's.

Wisdom comes from the proper application of truth to life. Wisdom comes from an understanding of knowledge, and how knowledge correlates with the realities of life. Knowledge understanding comes from the correct interpretation of facts with respect to reality.

In life there are two categories of wisdom - that which is true, and that which is false. All true wisdom comes from heaven. All false wisdom comes not from heaven, but from the source of mans abuse of truth.

All true wisdom is derived out from the spiritual sphere in which God wills us all to live. We call that sphere, fellowship.

All false wisdom comes from outside of that spiritual sphere.

All true wisdom comes only from God, through doctrine, by means of the Holy Spirit, while you are resident in fellowship, learning, growing, applying, understanding and repeating this whole process day in and day out all of your life.

All false wisdom comes from the source of the sin nature, and originates outside of the fellowship sphere.

Being double minded is the instability of a life fluctuating in and out of fellowship, sometimes operating in accordance with Gods will, sometimes operating outside of Gods will.

The more fluctuation in ones life means greater instability, greater arrogance, greater self-centeredness. Less fluctuation in ones spiritual life means greater stability, greater humility, greater poise, less need for attention, and greater tolerance (gentleness) toward life in general.

James 3:11-12

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James 3:11-12


11 Doth [meti] a fountain [pege] send forth [bruo] at [ek] the same [autos] place [ope] sweet [glukus] water and [kai] bitter [pikros]?
12 Can [me] [dunamai] the fig tree [suke], my [mou] brethren [adelphos], bear [poieo] olive berries [elaia]? either [e] a vine [ampelos], figs [sukon]? so [houto] can no [oudeis] fountain [pege] both yield [poieo] salt [halukos] water [hudor] and [kai] fresh [glukus]. KJV-Interlinear


11 Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Neither can salt water produce fresh. NASB


In the natural and normal course of things, you will not find absurdities in nature, as you find them in mankind.

James gives us just a couple of examples.

The springs of water that come out of the ground, provide the same type of water from the same hole. Springs do not pour out one type of water and then another type and then back to the first. Nor do two types come out in a mixed fashion.

What do fig trees produce? Figs. What do olive trees produce? Olives. What do grape vines produce? Grapes.

Have you ever seen a grape vine produce anything else? Corn perhaps!

And this all points to Gods design in creation, for certain things to function in a certain way, and it all comes together perfectly, naturally and normally.

But then, man comes along and functions abnormally. Man takes creation and tries to modify it, to improve on it, to redefine it. And what happens? Things get all messed up.

James warned us that we should not even try to become instructors, leaders, teachers, people of influence, because that position comes with a huge responsibility. People who try to weld their influence on others, in whatever way, risk increased discipline and evaluation tests from Christ, when they stand before His Judgment Seat.

God designed the tongue for the dissemination of truth, not as a tool for promoting ones evil agenda. And all verbal expressions which do not line up with truth, are in effect, evil.

God designed the perfect tool for communication, and man has taken that tool and used it for ego approbations, ruthless tyrannies, malicious prejudices and gossip, for self-advancement at the expense of others, for deception and propaganda, for fraud, for all manner of lies and wickedness.

That which is impossible in nature, should also be viewed as absurd in human behavior. But then, how many will nod their head in agreement, but go right back to their same former behaviors?

How many live their life in fellowship (very few), and how many live their life under the influence of the sin nature (most everyone)? And you, do you follow Gods design or the absurd?

James 3:9-10

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James 3:9-10


9 Therewith [en] [autos] bless we [eulogeo] God [theos], even [kai] the Father [pater]; and [kai] therewith [en] [autos] curse we [kataraomai] men [anthropos], which [ho] are made [ginomai] after [kata] the similitude [homoiosis] of God [theos].
10 Out of [ek] the same [autos] mouth [stoma] proceedeth [exerchomai] blessing [eulogia] and [kai] cursing [katara]. My [mou] brethren [adelphos], these things [tauta] ought [chre] not [ou] so [houto] to be [ginomai]. KJV-Interlinear


9 With it we bless our Lord and Father; and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. NASB


Out of the same mouth can come courtesy or rudeness. And odd as it should seem, we can apply courtesy or rudeness to the same creatures that God, Himself, has designed.

Our differences in opinion are usually directed based on our subjective views of others. Thus James has been reminding us in this chapter and the last, to not tolerate or use bias or prejudice, or any form of unfair practice toward others.

Any and all sin is directed toward God. Any and all sin may be aimed at people or attitudes and such, but God is the author and designer of creation, so any complaints we may have, any opinions we may adopt, any ill feelings we may harbor, are a direct insult toward Gods design.

This will be explained more, when we get to verse 13 and on from there.

But, our double sided views of life come as a result of the existence of the sin nature within us. The sin nature is something ingrained in the body, not the soul. It has an influence on our soul with regard to what we believe and such. But when we die, and when our soul leaves the body, the sin nature remains with the body and is destroyed as the body decays.

Our soul sails off to heaven leaving the sin nature behind for good.

But, even though the sin nature is not a part of the soul, we still face life with decisions made from our own free will. God gives us all choices and in life we all choose of our own free will.

We cannot blame our predicaments on the sin nature, because we do have the ability to not listen to it. God has given us all the ability, through doctrine, to permanently run the influence of the sin nature out of our life, but of course its path is soooo easy to follow, and its enticements are soooo enticing.

And, rather than following the divine rules of authority and truth, we generally follow the counter authority called peer pressure and popularity, and follow the world in its views. So out of the same mouth, views are directed from the soul (designed by God) and from the sin nature (the choices of man).

And why is this? Because we choose it to be so. We were given something beautiful and make it into something rotten. And we do it all on our own, and by choice.

James 3:8

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James 3:8


8 But [de] the tongue [glossa] can [dunamai] no [oudeis] man [anthropos] tame [damazo]; it is an unruly [akataschetos] evil [kakos], full [mestos] of deadly [thanatephoros] poison [ios]. KJV-Interlinear


8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. NASB


No one, that is, no one under creation, can tame the tongue. No one possesses the ability to bring their own tongue under total control. Why?

For one thing, the tongue is a representation, or the manifestation, of the content of your soul. What you think, you eventually speak. And what you think is influenced by what you have learned in life. And what you have learned in life influences what you believe.

There are only two sources of influence which can affect your life - the carnal side which is run by the sin nature, and the spiritual side which is run by the Holy Spirit through Bible doctrine.

Everything which is bad in life, and eventually comes out of your mouth, comes from your sin nature.

Nothing bad will ever come out of the spiritual side. By definition, that is an impossibility. The spiritual side of your life is the state of perfection, the state of fellowship with God, the environment of your relationship with God.

God can have nothing to do with sin, so the spiritual side must exist within a state of sinless perfection. This is accomplished with confession (to God the Father), and it is made possible by confession, because Christ paid all of the costs associated with sin and death.

The state of the sin nature, is a state of deadly poison. The meaning of 'ios' is the type of poison which comes from a deadly and fatal snakebite, from which there is no recovery.

Living outside of the spiritual life, means that you are living in a jungle environment in which total failure is your only destiny.

Life under the sin nature is deadly, guaranteed failure, and from your own effort and energy, you will never change its nature. You can't.

In order to defeat the sin nature, you need something that is greater than it. That greater source is Christ, doctrine, and a functioning spiritual life. Which, by the way, all come from God, not you.

James 3:7

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James 3:7


7 For [gar] every [pas] kind [phusis] of beasts [therion], and [te] [kai] of birds [peteinon], and [te] of serpents [herpeton], and [kai] of things in the sea [enalios], is tamed [damazo], and [kai] hath been tamed [damazo] of mankind [phusis] [anthropinos]: KJV-Interlinear


7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by the human race. NASB


The tongue is untamable. The sin nature is untamable. The sin nature of man is unchangeable, unalterable, and unfixable.

With these examples, which James uses from his own time, he points out that man has tamed the seemingly untamable.

Man has taken animals, who do not think as we do, do not articulate as we do, do not use the systems of logic and reason that we do, and we have been able to tame them and bring them under our domestic control, to some degree.

In our current day, we can look beyond the animal kingdom and into the scientific kingdom. Man has accomplished transportation feats just in this last century, where man has been bound to the horse for millennia.

From the horse and buggy, to spacecraft, to cars in virtually everyone's possession, man has tamed the powered engine and speed, and made his life faster and more productive.

Man has tamed technology, such that we have laptop computers, microwave ovens, telescope views of deep space, understandings of genetics and amazing cures in medicine. We could continue this list for days, but suffice to say, with all of mans feats in discovery and invention, he has never conquered sin or the sin nature within himself.

Gossip has never been controlled. Deception in politics, in sales, in religion and so forth, are ever present. Controversy in beliefs, in attitudes, in how we perceive the world and life around us, has never been more complicated.

With each advancement in technology and world knowledge, the clarity of truth becomes more and more vague.

I would presume that, that will be the pattern of the remaining days and years, however many there are, of our dispensation, the Church Age.

Technology, inventions, discoveries, general knowledge of this world, and so forth will most likely rush into mind-boggling things, in the years and decades to come. But, the sin nature, illustrated by the tongue, will still be the single untamable item, and cause of mankind's ultimate downfall.

You are not going to change the ultimate course of history, but you can control your own spiritual life and ultimate destiny, by controlling your own tongue.

Self-control comes by faith, faith by application, and application by understanding, and understanding by hearing, and hearing by listening, and listening by self-control over your daily spiritual life.

This is the circle of wisdom, which we studied in Revelation 1, in Isaiah 11, and throughout this entire daily study.

James 3:5-6

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James 3:5-6


5 Even [kai] so [houto] the tongue [glossa] is [esti] a little [mikros] member [melos], and [kai] boasteth great things [megalaucheo]. Behold [idou], how great [helikos] a matter [hule] a little [oligos] fire [pur] kindleth [anapto]!
6 And [kai] the tongue [glossa] is a fire [pur], a world [kosmos] of iniquity [adikia]: so [houto] is [kathistemi] the tongue [glossa] among [en] our [hemon] members [melos], that it defileth [spiloo] the whole [holos] body [soma], and [kai] setteth on fire [phlogizo] the course [trochos] of nature [genesis]; and [kai] it is set on fire [phlogizo] of [hupo] hell [geenna]. KJV-Interlinear


5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. Behold, how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. NASB


As are the bit or the rudder, so too the tongue is a small tool, which has tremendous power.

The tongue is the means, as illustrated by these examples, of communicating ideas, thoughts, beliefs, which, when they deviate from truth, can cause great evils in the world.

How many people have been misled by eloquent speeches, by commanding tyrants, by smooth sales men, by approbation driven politicians or celebrities? How many people in the world have been misled by religious leaders, by speeches of hate, by cute or isolated gossips?

When the forest is dry, as the spiritual lives of the masses are when they lack spiritual resources, then it takes only a little spark to set the entire forest on fire, burning to a crisp, everyone.

In politics, candidates speak in ambiguous terms - change, promise, new things, old ways, and they let the hearers make their own interpretations as to what is meant. Without saying anything, they collect followers who are convinced that their candidate is going to give each of them what they want.

This is true in politics, in religions, is social circles all over the world. And all it takes is a population that lacks the spiritual resources to distinguish between those who are duping them and those who are trying to lead legitimately. Selfish concerns replace principles of truth.

Any deviation from truth, is tantamount to an embracing of evil. And the fires of hell are here represented as the course of nature, or the continual turning of the wheels of evil set in motion, by the tongue.

Unless the tongue is stopped, then the motion of evil accelerates and cannot be stopped easily.

The tongue represents the ideas, the speeches, the beliefs, the attitudes, that people have in life. And when truth is cancelled out, then a people will chase their own destiny right over the cliff, all the while cheering as they go over. And then it is too late, and many suffer as a result of economic problems, crime problems, war problems, social problems and so forth.

James 3:3-4

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James 3:3-4


3 Behold [idou], we put [ballo] bits [chalinos] in [eis] the horses [hippos]' mouths [stoma], that [pros] they [autos] may obey [peitho] us [hemin]; and [kai] we turn about [metago] their [autos] whole [holos] body [soma].
4 Behold [idou] also [kai] the ships [ploion], which though they be [on] so great [telikoutos], and [kai] are driven [elauno] of [hupo] fierce [skleros] winds [anemos], yet are they turned about [metago] with [hupo] a very small [elachistos] helm [pedalion], whithersoever [hopou] [an] the governor [euthuno] listeth [horme] [boulomai]. KJV-Interlinear


3 Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, we direct their entire body as well. 4 Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder, wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. NASB


The tongue, the bit for a horse, and the rudder on a ship, are very small elements when compared to the larger object.

The horse can be cantankerous and unwilling to cooperate. The ship can be driven by high winds and waves. The person can be driven by their emotions.

The horse can have a mind of its own, and with its weight of perhaps a thousand pounds, is virtually unmanageable by any means other than a bit. You cannot hold it by the neck, and you certainly would not grab onto a leg. He would kick the daylights out of you.

As for the ship. Think aircraft carrier. You can't push it away from the dock with your hands. You cannot push it back from the dock if the ocean is driving it. The ship weighs into the tens of millions of tons. So, your only method of guiding it is via the rudder.

With the mere turn of a wheel, with the mere touch of the bridle, both ship and animal, in their whole body become manageable and totally under your control.

So, with the volatile nature of your attitude, you have a means of imposing self-control over yourself. Your tongue is controlled by your mind. You are the skipper of your own ship and through your own volition, you possess the means of controlling your own thoughts, and actions. Your tongue is probably the loosest of your body parts, as far as spontaneous comments or displays of your attitude.

Control it, and you are well on your way to total self-control.

But, remember self-control always begins with the power which fuels self-control, and that is Bible doctrine.

James 3:2

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James 3:2


2 For [gar] in many things [polus] we offend [ptaio] all [hapas]. If any man [ei tis] offend [ptaio] not [ou] in [en] word [logos], the same [houtos] is a perfect [teleios] man [aner], and able [dunatos] also [kai] to bridle [chalinagogeo] the whole [holos] body [soma]. KJV-Interlinear


2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. NASB


Before we start this study, remember that anything that an unbeliever can do, anything that a fallen angel can do, is not the spiritual life.

So, as James is going to explain the control over ones tongue and equate that to a state of perfection, we have to look deeper into the spiritual life, in order to see the meaning of this illustration.

But first the verse. Stumbling here, means the many flaws and weaknesses inherent with being human. We are all born with a sin nature, and as such, in our sinful state, in these physical bodies, it is absolutely impossible for any human being to be, or to become perfect.

There are two exceptions in history. First, there was Adam and Eve. Ok there will be three exceptions.

First there is Adam and Eve. They were created perfect by God. They lived in the Garden and could have lived there forever if they had never sinned. But they did sin and that was the fall of all of humanity. 'For by one man, Adam, all have sinned.' That is the genetically passed sin nature that we all get from our parents.

Eve was fooled in the Garden and sinned, but Adam knowingly sinned when he saw Eve's fall. So the sin nature passes to humanity from Adam.

The next person is Jesus Christ. He was born of the seed of the woman. Joseph was never involved in Mary's pregnancy. Jesus was born perfect and therefore never had a sin nature. He was not born from joint parents in the usual way.

Jesus was born perfect, lived His life in perfection, and went to the Cross in perfection, was beaten and nailed to the Cross in perfection and died while in perfection. Jesus was in a state of fellowship all of His life. He depended on the Holy Spirit for His earthly spiritual power. Jesus never once delved into His own powers of deity, but remained completely human all of His earthly life. That made Him the perfect candidate to pay the price demanded by sin and death, in our behalf.

We, on the other hand, are imperfect from within our own essence.

But, we can become perfect by following Gods fellowship rules. When you sin you are out of fellowship. When you confess your sin(s), then you are placed back into fellowship. God forgives those sins (your sins were judged at the Cross, not forgiven), and once forgiven, which God can do because Christ has already paid the price for them, then you are placed immediately back into fellowship. And there you remain until the next round of sins in your life.

The tongue is a tiny member of your body. It is driven by your thoughts. And often times many people seemingly speak without thought, but that is sort of a blonde joke. What is in your mind will eventually drive your tongue.

If you can control your mouth, then you have half the battle won. The spiritual battle that is. The spiritual life is a battle, and most of that battle comes from within your own thoughts. So, self-discipline and self-control are key elements in your ability to maintain control over your spiritual life.

James will use the bridle on the horse, and the rudder on the ship to explain the correlation between mans tongue and mans life.

If your tongue is the driving force, then you have virtually complete control over your entire body, if you control your tongue. If you have the self-discipline to control what you say, in every situation, then you more than likely will have very good control over every other action you do in life.

Since your mind (soul), contains what you think, and that controls your tongue, then with tongue control, you more than likely will possess other controls over the way you think, and decide, and do things in life.

If you do not stumble into sin, then you will be residing in fellowship or in a state of spiritual perfection, even though you as a human being are essentially imperfect.

In this life, you can live only in a carnal state (out of fellowship), or in a spiritual state (in fellowship). There are no other choices or realms of existence.

Do not be fooled by this 'tai chi' stuff, or the ability to control or direct the 'energy' within and around you, and accomplish harmony with nature, as in Taoism. You probably remember the coverage it received in the opening ceremonies of the Olympics last weekend.

The Bible is very clear on this point. Man cannot attain peace or perfection or harmony, from the source of his own will or effort. The spiritual life is defined by God and not by man.

The energy, or the force, which surrounds your life is the Holy Spirit, and when in fellowship, He is in control, not you, and you cannot perceive, feel, sense, detect or otherwise have any emotional connection with the Holy Spirit. In our dispensation that connection does not exist, but it will exist in the Millennium.

Anyway, your first battle in life is self-discipline. Control your tongue, control your thoughts, and therefore control your whole existence. Slow dancing, or humming, or chanting will get you nowhere.

James 3:1

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James 3:1


1 My [mou] brethren [adelphos], be [ginomai] not [me] many [polus] masters [didaskalos], knowing [eido] that [hoti] we shall receive [lambano] the greater [meizon] condemnation [krima]. KJV-Interlinear


1 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment. NASB


The word for 'masters' is a reference to anyone who might fulfill the role of instructor or teacher. This is not limited to priests or rabbi's, or anyone who might be considered an instructor of theology. This also includes anyone who has a tongue.

And that includes you, and just about everyone on the planet.

In this chapter, James gives us a lesson regarding the tongue. It is a little component in the human anatomy, but it can pack a huge wallop in society.

Anyone who can speak, has the potential of being an instructor. Anyone who can listen, has the potential of being a student. So your words when spoken, or written for that matter, fly out of your mouth or mind, and into the general population.

Your hearers, are other people. Whether family, fellow workers, or strangers, makes no difference. Your words have the potential of being believed by others and as such, you can potentially mis-direct others in their life.

God has a message for you. If you are going to speak your mind, then you had better be speaking the truth, and with wisdom, otherwise your evaluation, when you stand before the Lord, will go a bit harder for you. Christ will pour over your record and make your evaluation tougher.

As for religious leaders, political leaders, social leaders, parents, or people in general, there will be a special intensified evaluation of them because of the looseness of their tongues, and the vastness of their attitude.

Preachers or religious instructors especially, will receive the severest of reviews. They have the potential of turning people away from their correct spiritual path. And as such, these instructors can potentially be destroying an eternity of blessing for others.

The worst possible outcome is to turn people away from Christ, and thus lose their salvation.

Now, note that everyone is accountable for his or her own decisions. No one has any excuse even if they have been misled by faulty instruction. God provides plenty of alternative sources of truth, to counter the bad sources.

But this verse is dealing with the tongue and those who use it.

Tyrant leaders, unqualified leader want-to-be's, those who are impressed by their own opinion, radicals and such, are good candidates for Gods special review. The whole point here is, think before you speak. And if you have nothing good to say, then remain quiet.

James 2:26

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James 2:26


26 For as the body without the spirit is dead , so faith without works is dead also . KJV-Interlinear


26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. NASB


The body, is your physical body. The spirit, refers to the breath of life, or the soul with human life resident in it.

When you are born into this life, you came here as a dichotomous being. You were body and soul. Your body is the vessel which houses biological life, and your soul is the vessel which houses human life. The real you is in your soul. Your body is only a temporary house for your soul.

The breath of life, 'neshamah,' was breathed into you at the moment of your birth. The first cry of the baby is the evidence of breath and human life entering into the baby.

Prior to your birth while you were in your mommy's womb, your biological life was supported by the umbilical cord. But once that cord was cut, when you were born, your lifeline was severed. You needed a replacement power source otherwise, you would have died in what is generally called being stillborn, or death at birth. That replacement power source is your soul with your human life in it. This is referred to by the Bible as the breath of God. God exhales life, and man inhales life.

The body cannot live without a soul. When you die, the soul with its human life in it, leaves the body and the body immediately begins the decay process. It is dead.

Now when your body has no soul life, it is a dead thing. Dead is useless and discarded into decay.

When you believe in Christ then you receive an additional birth. This is a spiritual birth, or being born again. This time you receive a human spirit which is the vessel, and into it is imputed eternal life. You are now trichotomous (body, soul, and spirit). Each of these vessels housing their respective life occupants (biological, human, and eternal life).

Within your existence, you have two phases of life. The first is your life in this world, and the second is life in eternity.

While you live in this world, you have two categories of production - temporal production and spiritual production.

Temporal production (wood, hay, and stubble) is what you do in life while out of fellowship. This is the only kind of production that unbelievers can have.

Spiritual production (gold, silver, and precious stones) is the product of your life while you are in fellowship. This is available only to believers.

Now, just as the soul is an integral part of ones body, for no physical body can exist without it, so to, works (spiritual production) is an integral part of faith. In other words, your actions speak louder than words.

You can believe anything and everything you want, but if you do not back up your beliefs with actions, then your faith is useless, weak, shallow, or worthless. Sincerity, good intentions, and such, mean nothing, and accomplish nothing.

Life is the result of the soul integrating with the physical body. Works are the fruit of an active faith. But works are not just any works, they must be those mandated by God, and performed while inside of the fellowship sphere.

You cannot define your own way through your spiritual life. You cannot pick and choose, from Gods mandates, what things you want to do within your spiritual life.

Just as breathing comes natural to physical life, then so too, spiritual production should come natural to faith. But unfortunately people seem to get this all screwed up by means of the lack of commitment, and by their lack of obedience, to their spiritual life.

James 2:25

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James 2:25


25 Likewise [homoios] [de] also [kai] was [dikaioo] not [ou] Rahab [Rhaab] the harlot [porne] justified [dikaioo] by [ek] works [ergon], when she had received [hupodechomai] the messengers [aggelos], and [kai] had sent them out [ekballo] another [heteros] way [hodos]? KJV-Interlinear


25 And in the same way was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works, when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? NASB


The story of Rahab, is found in Joshua 2. She was the harlot who gave refuge to the two spies that Joshua had sent into Jericho, to discover its secrets.

When Rahab spoke with the two spies, she told them that the people of the land had already heard of the history of the Israelites of the past forty years, and of how God had protected the Israelites during all of those years, beginning with the destruction of the army of Egypt.

Everyone in the land was fearful of the Israelites, and yet they did not see fit to turn to the God of Israel, but continued with their own false gods. Rahab believed in the God of Israel. Rahab was also aware of the promise of prophecies, of which God had given the land to Israel. Everyone was aware of this prophecy, but again, they did not turn to the one true God.

When the spies came into the city of Jericho, they found Rahab. How they discovered each other, we are not told. She hid them and even misled the city leaders as to their whereabouts.

She did this with full knowledge that, if discovered, her life would be in danger, along with that of her entire family.

Abraham was a just man, and he lived a good and honest life. Rahab had a reputation as a lady of the night. So her life was not so honorable.

But both knew of and had believed in the promised savior, the messiah, Jesus Christ. Being saved can be accomplished by both honest people and sinners alike. Likewise, both grew up spiritually by means of listening to the scriptures and learning and so forth.

Abraham demonstrated his spiritual maturity by his obedience in giving up that which was most dear to him, his son.

Rahab demonstrated her maturity by risking her life. And though she led a rather lascivious life, by this time she had changed her ways.

Her future was to become the wife of Salmon, and to give birth to Boaz, in the line of Jesus, Matt. 1:5.

James 2:23-24

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James 2:23-24


23 And [kai] the scripture [graphe] was fulfilled [pleroo] which saith [lego], [de] Abraham [Abraam] believed [pisteuo] God [theos], and [kai] it was imputed [logizomai] unto him [autos] for [eis] righteousness [dikaiosune]: and [kai] he was called [kaleo] the Friend [philos] of God [theos].
24 Ye see [horao] then [toinun] how that [hoti] by [ek] works [ergon] a man [anthropos] is justified [dikaioo], and [kai] not [ou] by [ek] faith [pistis] only [monon]. KJV-Interlinear


23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, 'And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,' and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone. NASB


Two other passages need to be brought into the picture here. Plus you need to understand the timeline of these events.

Gen. 15:6
6 Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness. NASB

Rom. 4:2-3
2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about; but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? 'And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.' NASB

Abraham was complaining about not having an heir. He wanted a son. God promised him a son and also descendants that would number like the stars. It was at this time, that Abram believed in the Lord, and his belief caused God to credit to him, Gods righteousness. This is the imputation of righteousness to every believer at the time when they believe in Christ.

It was not until twenty years later that Abraham, now his name had already been changed, was told to offer his son as an offering.

Abram had believed in God long before this event. The offering of his son was not the moment of his salvation, but a confirmation, the completion, the consummation, the working together of both faith and the application of doctrine (works), in his life, that has achieved, or is evidence of, his spiritual maturity.

James is drawing his illustration from two events that were separated by a couple of decades in Abraham's life.

And this was to demonstrate a point. You may have believed in Christ in your life, but that does not make you spiritually mature. Maturity comes with application of what you know (spiritual activities), to your daily life. And more important, while you are in fellowship. Don't forget the double minded lesson we had in chapter one.

Belief in Christ, is the work of salvation, even though faith is a non-meritorious act of a simple thought on your part. But it is what God demands for salvation. You get no credit of human works, for what you think.

But instead, God credits to your account, His righteousness, which is His sinless perfection. That is Gods stamp on your salvation. When you are initially saved, you are automatically in fellowship. At least for a few minutes probably.

But once you have been saved, your life continues on for perhaps decades. None of us were taken to haven the moment we believed in Christ. That is the beginning of your spiritual life.

Your combination of confession (restoration to fellowship as needed), your study, learning, and application of doctrine to your life creates the environment of your spiritual growth. As you grow up, you become responsible not only for those things which God expects, but with everything in your life. We have called this the circle of wisdom, in prior studies.

Abraham grew up during those twenty years, had a son, watched him grow up, and then the test of maturity came. This is often times the tough test of your life.

And don't worry. God is not going to ask you to commit a crime in order to prove your obedience. If you do, then you are an idiot, and you have not learned a thing.

Don't play games with God, or with people.

James 2:21-22

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James 2:21-22


21 Was [dikaioo] not [ou] Abraham [Abraam] our [hemon] father [pater] justified [dikaioo] by [ek] works [ergon], when he had offered [anaphero] Isaac [Isaak] his [autos] son [huios] upon [epi] the altar [thusiasterion]?
22 Seest thou [blepo] how [hoti] faith [pistis] wrought [sunergeo] with his [autos] works [ergon], and [kai] by [ek] works [ergon] was [teleioo] faith [pistis] made perfect [teleioo]? KJV-Interlinear


21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; NASB


It is often said that the seed contains the full tree, but the tree is not recognized until it is grown up. We can look at a seed, but not see the tree. While a seed, it is only a mere potential.

And thus it is with our spiritual life.

When we are born into this world, we are nothing more than a potential. We have to add time, and volition, and the gospel, before the next phase (life after salvation) may, repeat, may become a reality.

So, we have life, plus the gospel, and then faith (belief), and then we have the reality of salvation.

Likewise, after salvation, we are still a potential. To salvation, we add doctrine, and a whole lot of positive decisions (your daily study, daily intake of doctrine, daily application of doctrine to your life), before your life will realize its full potential and become the reality of spiritual maturity.

Being born is not enough. You have to grow up. Being saved is not enough. You have to grow up.

Birth is a state of incompleteness. Our ultimate goal in life is to become complete, and that is what 'perfection' in our passage means. It is a state of completion, a state of coming together, to achieve a goal that only a state of cooperation can achieve (that goal which cannot be achieved by one component on its own), to consummate a relationship.

Faith alone cannot achieve maturity. Works alone cannot achieve maturity.

Only the cooperation of the two (belief and actions), can achieve the maximum in ones spiritual life.

Abraham demonstrated this in his obedience. Abraham did not do penance, did not feel sorry for himself, did not come up with his own ideas as to how he could please God. Abraham studied the scriptures as they existed in his day. He believed what he studied. And, he applied his beliefs to his everyday life.

God pushed his beliefs to the maximum, by testing his obedience.

This was a unique test, as God gave us all an example of His own willingness to sacrifice His only Son, in behalf of us. And Abraham had only the one son, who meant everything in the world to him. Offering his only son was the greatest and most difficult thing that Abraham could possibly have done in his life.

Abraham could have said no, but his love and obedience, and trust in God, was so great, that he unhesitatingly obeyed. Abraham even told his wife, when she asked where they were going, 'We are going to offer a sacrifice and 'we' will return.' Abraham trusted God to solve this situation.

Abraham knew the laws of society. 'Thou shalt not murder.' So, as God was giving us all a lesson, Abraham knew that even God would not commit a sin. That is the degree of Abraham's trust.

We must combine our faith with immeasurable trust, especially when we face obstacles in our life. And especially when we face problems that could very well take our life, health, property, and so forth.

God raises us up intending what is best for each one of us. 'Do you believe that?' is your first question. And then when you actually face a decision, whether it be something simple like giving, or whether it be something dramatic, like losing your health, how will you respond to the obligations that God expects of you?

Most people, repeat, most people, fail in the little things. If you fail to obey God in the little things, then how could you possibly expect to obey God in the big things? How can you expect blessings of any significance, if you are unwilling to make your own sacrifices, regardless of what they might be?

Most kids want their allowance, but without cleaning up their room. That is something simple. And unfortunately, most believers do the same thing in their spiritual life. They want things, but without having to obey. After all, isn't it easier to simply ignore Gods mandates?

Is it so difficult to trust that God will provide, replace, or enhance whatever you must give up in life?

James 2:20

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James 2:20


20 But [de] wilt [thelo] thou know [ginosko], O [o] vain [kenos] man [anthropos], that [hoti] faith [pistis] without [choris] works [ergon] is [esti] dead [nekros]? KJV-Interlinear


20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? NASB


And following yesterdays study, if indeed you are one who believes in a deity, but have missed the mark of following the correct path to Him, then are you willing to listen?

Attitude is the second barrier to getting yourself on the right track in your spiritual life.

Yesterday, we saw that there are a lot of beliefs, and that all beliefs are types of faith.

In the world there are many who believe in objects as their deity. Some cultures believe in the wolf, some in the eagle, and some in the whale. And in some cultures the cow is sacred, or a sculpture of a fat man or goat or something similar. Then there are those who believe in the moon, or stars. Then there are those who simply believe in an ambiguous system of nature or universe in which we all sort of melt into at some point in our existence.

But of these, God is not on the table for consideration, and therefore they are way off base as far as truth is concerned.

James suggests that if you indeed believe in God, then you are far better off than those folks. Getting them to change their minds would be difficult at best. For they can see the objects of their worship, whereas God cannot be seen.

But then is believing in God enough? No. Even the fallen angels believe in God. In fact they know God far better than any of us. Have you seen God? No. And neither have I. But you and I are saved. We who have never seen nor even heard God. And they, the fallen angels, who know and have heard God for perhaps millions of years, are not saved.

So, believing in God is not enough. We have to approach God in a manner of His choosing, not ours.

And so this study of today. Are you willing to listen? Are you wiling to learn? Are you willing to accept that which is being taught in the scriptures? And that is also a tough question, for we can all say 'yes,' but most of us do not follow through.

So, in the first place we need to be positive toward the concept of God. When we all grow up, at some point in our life we become conscious of God, or at least of some sort of afterlife and deity. Our first test if from our curiosity and desire to know of God.

The second test is our pursuit of the truth. Will we accept what our parents have believed, or everything that we have been brought up to believe in, or will we pursue with greater curiosity and even test or question, our own beliefs?

When we are positive, then God introduces us to the gospel and your first critical question for life is, 'What do you think of Jesus Christ?'

Believe in Christ and you are saved. Reject Him and you are not saved. It is as simple as that. But you do not define you own method of salvation, God does that, and you just have to accept it or not.

But once saved, then the critical question for your life is, 'What do you think of Bible doctrine?' And again, you must follow Gods process for spiritual growth, not your own.

That is where James has been leading us through his book, the acquisition, and application, of wisdom.

The first chapter was concerned with getting your head on straight. Do not be double minded. Don't be carnal one moment and spiritual the next, flip flopping back and forth between the two.

Then we have the introduction to prejudices, in chapter two. Preconceived ideas, prejudices, biases, whether for or against people, for or against beliefs, can be your downfall. So you still have to sort out life and you still have to follow Gods procedure for the spiritual life, not by means of methods of your own convenience.

James will give two examples, which will seal the truth of works as the fulfillment of spiritual productiveness when combined with faith, which between the two, will fulfill your spiritual life. And that simply means that you will be growing up to spiritual maturity, if you do all of this right.

You cannot approach the spiritual life with your own methods, with indifference, and certainly with an attitude that since you have believed in Christ, nothing more needs to be done.

When you were born into this world, was your life completed? No. You still had to learn to crawl, walk, run, read, write, get a job, become responsible, etc. It is the same with your spiritual life.

When you first believed in Christ, you were born again. This is your spiritual birth. And like the physical birth and life to follow, you have to grow up. But you have to grow up right, just as you did, or do, in your temporal life.

And here James asks the big question, 'Are you willing?'