James: A Letter to the Scattered Church

 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greetings. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. James 1:1,2

James' letter was not just written to the Church, but to the Jews who believed in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Due to persecution, many believers left Jerusalem. Yet, it appears that persecution followed many of them. In this letter, James encourages and instructs these persecuted churches. They had drifted from faith and God giving in to temptations. 

James goes on point in the first words of the letter addressing temptation. Why are we tempted? Where does temptation come? How do we face temptation? As I read James' letter, I see that today's church is no different. Each Christian faces temptations and trials. Each church is filled with many different sets of opinions and challenges. Yet do we react to those trials and temptations as we should? Do we try to blame God or someone else without looking at our own blunders? James addresses all these issues.

"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts any man. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death." (1:13-15)

Then, James writes, "be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." (19) 

Listen. Wait for the entire story. Seek wisdom by asking God through prayer with faith. (1:5,6) How many of us jump to conclusions before hearing the entire story? We all have. We need to consider what we hear as we take it to God before slipping into using words that we will regret.

Hold those words. Oh! How we react to simple truths when those truths aren't what we want them to be! The treasurer was given the wrong total to send out. A member in innocence contradicts instructions. Yet, tempers flare as a blame game proceeds with words that should not be spoken. Just these simple errors which can be fixed turns into a blame game. In chapter 3 of James, we are called to 'bridle the tongue.' Yet, with the tongue being just a small part of our body, we let anger, pride, and self-righteousness take over. "Out of the same mouth proceeds blessings and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be." James 3:10

Anger. Anger leads to a multiple of sins. Most of all, anger stirs up hard feelings, hate, deceit, lies, and division in the church body. Before letting anger take over, walk away, seek God in prayer, and seek the wisdom to address your anger. "Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him show out a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not, against the truth. This wisdom descends not from above, but it is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." James 3:15-18

How do we keep the temptations from coming? 

"From whence come wars and fights among you? Come they not hence, even of your lust that war in your members? You lust, and have not: you kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: you fight and war, yet you have not, because you ask not. You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it upon your lusts." James 4:1-3

Satan knows our weaknesses. Pride of the office you hold or what you think your family status is. Judgmental nature as you look down on others in your congregation. Envy of not being elected or chosen to an office you desire. We create these weaknesses in our soul and spirit which eventually destroy our reputations as we lie and use deceit to make others look bad or to make ourselves look better than others. Are you so consumed with your lusts that God does not hear you? (4:3) 

James advised in chapter 4: "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep; let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. Speak not evil one of another, brethren..." James 4:7-11a

Seek God. Draw near to God. Pray. Ask for help with your weaknesses. Acknowledge and  confess your sins. Study and meditate on God's Word. Purposely, work to put away your envy, pride, and anger. And "Confess your faults one to another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avail much." James 5:16