James 1:19

James 1:19 says, Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:  James asked that Christians be swift to hear and slow to speak and slow to be angry.  We need to hear what people, and God’s word under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, have to say before we speak against them.  Even then, if we disagree with them, we are not to speak to them out of anger but with the love of God. 

Verse twenty adds, For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.  James said that the wrath of people does not show the righteousness of God to others, and as Christians this should be our goal.  Some might say that we have to speak out against those who proclaim something contrary to God’s word, and this is true, but we shouldn’t do so out of anger for the person, but only out of concern for their salvation.  Of course, James was writing to his fellow Christians, so this should especially apply to our relationship with them. 

Verse twenty-one continues, Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.  James said Christians are to lay aside all filthiness and inclination to do evil and receive with meekness the engrafted word of God instead.  As followers of Christ, we should have God’s word engrafted in us.  We shouldn’t rely on what we believe based on worldly standards, which is our normal state, but should have God’s word engrafted in us instead to guide us by His righteousness.  

Verse twenty-two concludes, But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.  James said that we are not to just hear God’s word but are to do what it tells us as well. We can quote the Bible all we want to, but if our actions are not consistent with what we profess to believe, then we are not obeying God.  What we do as followers of Christ must be consistent with what we proclaim to believe about God. 

 

James 1:12

 James 1:12 says, Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.  James said those who endured temptation were blessed, since when they had their faith tried and didn’t give in to temptation, they would receive a crown of life from the Lord, which He has promised to those who love Him.  We aren’t to look for things that tempt us, but there will be many things that do.  Then, when we are tempted, we need to just remain faithful to God by the power of the Holy Spirit living in us.  

Verse thirteen adds, Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:  James then tells us that we should never say that temptation comes from God, which would put the blame for our failure on Him.  He further plainly states that God does not tempt anyone.  God may allow our faith to be tested by temptation, but He will never be the source of the temptation.  

Verse fourteen continues, But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.  James added that when we are tempted, it is by our own lusts, and I would add by Satan who knows how to tempt us.  

Verse fifteen concludes, Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.  James said that lust begins in our thoughts and when it takes over, we give in to sin.  If we do something sinful without knowing that it is sinful, it is not the same as just knowingly giving in to sin.  

Verse sixteen states, Do not err, my beloved brethren.  James then challenged his brothers to not err in their faith and by insinuation give in to sin.  We cannot be faithful to God if we err in our faith.  

Verse seventeen adds, Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.  James said that all good and perfect gifts come from God above.  He also said that these gifts were from the Father of lights, in whom there is no variableness.  God will never change His standards to allow people to live with unrepentant sin. 

Verse eighteen continues, Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.  James said that God brings us salvation through Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son.  We are to be the first fruits of God’s gift of salvation when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  We will never be a second or third generation Christian in God’s view, but when we accept His gift of salvation, we are always a part of the first fruit. 

James 1:9

James 1:9 says, Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:  Paul said that those of low degree, or poorer people who might be looked down on by others, would be exalted, or lifted up, by God for their faithfulness to Him.  If we are faithful to God as followers of Christ, people of the world may often look down on us, but we will be spiritually lifted up by God.  James was not saying that we would be lifted up in our status in the word materially, but that we would be lifted up in God’s eyes.  

Verse ten adds, But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.  James then said that the rich would be made low since their riches would last no longer than the grass that passes away.  This doesn’t mean all rich people are doomed, but that those who put their faith in their riches and earthly status will be brought low spiritually when they face God’s final judgment.  

Verse eleven continues, For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.  James continued with his analogy of the rich being like the grass and flowers.  Both wither in the heat and grace that the rich think they have because their riches and own merit will likewise pass away if it is gained without obeying God’s word.  No matter how many riches we may have materially, they will one day pass away, when we die if not before.  Only the things we gain spiritually will last.  

James 1:5

James 1:5 says, If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  James didn’t say if we lack knowledge ask God for it, but if we lack wisdom.  We may gain a lot of knowledge from studying, but we may be very well educated and still lack wisdom which comes from God.  All we have to do is accept that He is the source of wisdom instead of thinking we can gain it by our own understanding.  

Verse six adds, But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.  James said that we are to ask for wisdom in faith that does not waver.  We cannot see God as the source of wisdom one day and doubt Him the next if we are to gain spiritual wisdom.  

Verse seven continues, For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.  James said that people who waver in their faith should not expect anything from God.  I believe that if we ask God for wisdom that we can never waver in believing that He will give us wisdom if we are to have true wisdom.  We cannot believe at one time and doubt the next.

Verse eight states, A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.  A double minded man would be a man who tried to live by the wisdom of God but also tried to live by what the world may teach that is opposed to God’s word. James said such a person is unstable in all their ways.