Lessons for Life from James 1:19-27 Doer or Hearer?

James

Lessons for Life

James little letter is a great one to help us as we try to live our lives as Christians. Many people will ask, “Now that I am a Christian, how do I go about living my life?” James answers many of those questions by giving us guidance on how to live out that faith that we have been given. It is for that reason that this series of studies is entitled “Lessons for Life.”

Come along and join us as we learn some of these lessons. Do you have questions? Do you have comments? Be sure to post them so that we can discuss them. This is by no means the end to all the questions that we have in our lives of faith.

James 1:19 “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”

1.      James is address you as a Christian (beloved brother). He gives 3 things that a Christian is called upon to do here. What are those three things?

a.        

b.       

c.        

2.      In those three things, which do you find easier to do? Which is most difficult? Why do you think that is?

3.      In Romans 7, Paul talks about how we live our lives as Christians. Romans 7:15  For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Why do you think Paul says this? Do you think that it applies to you and the way you live your life?

4.      “Put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness…” What filthiness do you have in your life that you need to put away? What wickedness do you think he is talking about? How might be a part of your life?

5.      What is the “implanted word” that James writes about in vs. 21? How does it become implanted in you?

James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

6.      James gets personal here. Have you ever found that your life is just like this: you hear the Word of God, know how He wants you to live, but you go about not doing it? Where do you have the greatest struggle in being a “doer” and not just a “hearer” of the Word?

7.      Being blessed in our lives comes not because we deserve it, but because of the new life that Christ gives to us through the Word. What blessings do you find yourself receiving because you live in the Word, being a “doer” of the Word?

James 1:26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

8.      James like to make the connection between faith and action. Here he connects the “unbridled tongue” and faith-filled religion. How do you see this connection? How do you put the two together?

9.      James uses orphans and widows here because they are ones that are in great need. He is encouraging the reader to consider his/her heart and faith in conjunction with the actions of life. Do they match? Do yours?

1A. We are to be 1) quick to hear, 2) slow to speak, and 3) slow to anger.

2A. The answer to this is something you must struggle with in your life.  Each of them is difficult. Listening to others is a challenge. We go through workshops and classes that teach us how to be an “active listener.” Imagine that! We have to be taught to listen. Too often, we open our mouths and begin talking even before we know what the situation is or what is going on. Anger? In today’s world, anger runs rampant. Look at the news. When did you ever hear about a fight breaking out in an airport because flights are cancelled? How often do you hear about “road rage”? Quick to become angry. Why? SIN. Our fallen nature makes it easier to do that which is wrong rather than that which is right.

3A. Remember, he is not writing to unbelievers but to believers. He is not writing about himself before he became a Christian, but after he became a Christian.

4A. When James writes about “filthiness and wickedness,” he is talking about immoral actions and lifestyles. The Christian in today’s world is challenged to be morally pure in an immoral world. Living together outside of marriage, accepted by society, stands in opposition to the will of God for the life of a man and a woman. Gender identity issues which is not only accepted in society today but is also encouraged and supported, stand opposed to the sexual identity which God has bestowed upon each person. The Christian is challenged by this each day as he/she tries to live as Christ wants them to live. Not only is he/she challenged by society, he/she is challenged by his/her own sinful nature. Paul writes, “For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.” Romans 7:18b

5A. The implanted word is that which comes to us form outside of ourselves, most notably the Word of God. It isn’t that we plant that into ourselves but it is implanted in us by the Holy Spirit. Here we can look at the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-9, 14-20) Jesus says, “The sower sows the word…” As the seed does not sow itself, so the Word do not sow itself but the Holy Spirit sows it as we read, mark, learn and take the Word to heart within our lives. That Word is implanted in us and then grows in our lives as it is nourished regularly.

6A. I think about the mirror analogy that James uses. I get dressed in the morning. I know what I put on but then I don’t think about it. Later in the day, I see my reflection in the mirror and I am like “Wow. I forgot I had that on.” Is that how I live my Christian life? Do I hear the Word of God, have it “implanted” in my heart and life, and then go through the day not “doing” that Word? How many times do I let society, friends, or myself lead to me live another way than that which the Word says? Am I a “doer” or a “hearer.” James is challenging the Christian to be a doer in their lives. Today, I get the feeling that we would prefer to remain “hearers” more than “doers” because it is just easier to live our lives.

7A. Here again, the answer is something that you must look for in your life. It is different for each of us as we live out our lives in Christ.

8A. The unbridled tongue is like a horse given its head and allowed to run without any guidance at all. It would be difficult at best and impossible at worst to ride that horse. So a religion that does not show itself in action, James would say is not a living religion. He will revisit this issue again in the next chapter.

9A. Faith and life are to mesh. Here is an opportunity to take a good look at how you are living your life of faith. James will keep doing that to you. These “lessons for life” are often very challenging.