James 1: 26-27 - This is What is Real Religion, So Please Pay Attention!

""If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this : to look after orphans and widows and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.."

Part 1 verse 26
The word 'religious' (Greek:threskos) refers to external observances.
The word 'worthless' (Greek:mataios) means 'fruitless or useless' and the word 'deceives himself' (Greek:apaton kardian heautiu) literally means 'to mislead and to seduce his own heart'.

The Bible is teaching us here that a religious man that God is pleased with is a person who can controll what he/her say and how he/her say it. We should know that what comes out from an person's mouth comes from the heart. Matthew 12:34 says "For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. " and then goes on to say that a good man brings out the good that is stored in him and an evil man brings out the bad that is stored in him.

Part 2 verse 27
The Bible teaches us that God wants us not to pratice Christianity as a form of a religious ritual but to focus on living our lives right before Him. By our conduct of serving others and by keeping our character from being influenced by the world, that is the kind of religion that God is pleased with.

The 'world' here refers to 'anything that is contrary to the word of God'.

The Lord here is contrasting between mere ritualistic observances and real authentic acts of love to show us that what people commonly know as religion is not just a form of worship but a real lifestyle of right living and servanthood.

Important Note :
I have chosen based on my study from 'The Bible Knowledge Commentary' by John F.Walvoord and Roy B.Zack and selectively re-typed some of the more important parts, together with some of my own additional explanation to make this study simpler to digest and understand. My re-phrasing does not show a different meaning to what was originally written.

James 1: 22-25 - True Freedom and Blessings Comes In Your Deeds

"Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard but doing it- he will be blessed in what he does."

Part 1 verse 22

It is not enough to actively listen to God's word but it is also very important to do what it says. The bible says very clearly that one must be a doer and not just a hearer that one must listen to God's word and respond in active obedience.

The word 'deceive' is the Greek word 'paralogizomai' which means 'to cheat or deceive by false reasoning'.
The deception comes when we think that just by listening and growing in our knowledge of God's word is sufficient enough but that is only the beginning. It must be followed through in our actions and deeds.

Part 2 verse 23- 24
The bible uses the analogy of a man looking into the mirror(the word of God), and sees the places where he should change and the right path that he should walk in. But the moment he turns away, he forgets what he ought to do and hence the power and grace given to him to walk with God is not used.

The verse says 'immediately forgets' shows us that this man hears and grows in knowledge but at the same time has this 'spiritual absent mindedness' that robs him of the true freedom and blessings that comes from God's word.

Part 3 verse 25

The way to handle the word of God involves a very important step and that is to have an intent and a sustained look with a readiness to respond to it is the key to spiritual strength and continues maturity.

The word 'looks intently into' (Greek:parakypsas) means 'to stoop down down' in order to have a good close look.

The paradox that one must note here is the verse 'the Law that gives freedom'. As we know, the law has its rules and regulations and suggests some form of a restraint and a lack of freedom. But God's law is not restrictive but we can through it be propelled into real freedom.
In John 8:31-32, Christ says ,'Hold on to my teaching, then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.'

When we follow God's word, we will find tru freedom and be bless by God who gives us the grace to obey Him. Isn't that wonderful? HALLELUJAH!

Important Note :
I have chosen based on my study from 'The Bible Knowledge Commentary' by John F.Walvoord and Roy B.Zack and selectively re-typed some of the more important parts, together with some of my own additional explanation to make this study simpler to digest and understand. My re-phrasing does not show a different meaning to what was originally written.

James 1:19-21 - The Benefits of Listening

"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,20 for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.21 Therefore get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you."

Part 1 verse 19
James in saying 'My dear brothers' is once again identifying with his Jewish brothers and said 'take note of this' to show that what he is about to say is of great importance. God wants us to pay great attention to this detail.

It is better for us to learn to be good listeners as a good listener will be able to give better advice and understanding to the situation. It also gives the listener enough time for God to speak to him/her.

The man who listens rather than lambasting will be less likely to become angry and intolerant.

Part 2 verse 20
Ephesians 4:26 says 'In your anger do not sin..' Anger may provoke ill reactions what will not bring about the kind of godly living that God is pleased with.

Part 1 verse 21
God wants us to put aside and not having any form of moral filth(lusts,sensuality,corrupted heart) and accept God's word regularly. The word implanted means that the word of God needs to be ingrown or inborn in our hearts. To be grown in fertile soil and it takes time to grow and bear fruits in our lives.

Ultimately God wants us to not be given to our sensual passions, the spirt of the moment kind of fleshly desires but to have a ear for listening and discerning what God's direction is based on His word. By cultivating the soil of our souls, we can hide God;s word in which can save us in times of our needs.

Important Note :
I have chosen based on my study from 'The Bible Knowledge Commentary' by John F.Walvoord and Roy B.Zack and selectively re-typed some of the more important parts, together with some of my own additional explanation to make this study simpler to digest and understand. My re-phrasing does not show a different meaning to what was originally written.

James 1:16-18 - Knowing God and Leaning On Him Will Set Us Free And Give Us Victory

""Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.18 He chose to gave us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created""

Part 1 verse 16-17
The difference between God and the Devil is that God gives good gifts to us because of His great love for us in His grace and mercy.

The shadow from the sun may shifting according to the time of the day but our heavenly Father does not change. He is always the same God who is good and loving.

The words "Every good and perfect gift is from above" literally mean ""Every good act of giving (Greek:dosis) and every perfect gift(dorema) is from above".

The way to escape from temptation is to rest in the blessings and freedom of God. To have close fellowship with Him and feed on His word.

Part 2 verse 18
The words 'first fruits ' refer to us as the regenerated believers that we are God's treasured possession and to be holy unto Him as the first fruits were consecrated to Him. As Matthew Henry says 'Christ is the first-fruits of Christians, Christians are the first-fruits of creatures. '

Important Note :
I have chosen based on my study from 'The Bible Knowledge Commentary' by John F.Walvoord and Roy B.Zack and selectively re-typed some of the more important parts, together with some of my own additional explanation to make this study simpler to digest and understand. My re-phrasing does not show a different meaning to what was originally written.

James 1:13-15 - Knowing Yourself And Knowing Your Enemy Will Lead You To Victory

"When tempted, no one should say,'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."

Part 1 verse 13
Here in the bible, James offered a rebuke to the believers of God when they think that they sin because the Lord gave them a test by tempting them and therefore they fall. James felt that this is a wrong and irresponsible way of thinking and is clarifying this here.

It is said very clearly and directly that God cannot be tempted by evil nor does he tempts. Evil cannot even make an appeal to God because God is untemptable (Greek:apeirastos). God oftens tests a believer to mould and strengthen the person's faith but he does not tempts.

Part 2 verse 14
James made it clear that the source of temptation lies within the person; it is his/her own evil dsire and cravings of the flesh that allows him/her to be pulled away and enticed. It is like a fish that is lured out of its place of hiding and enticed by the bait. The Greek word 'deleazomenos' means to bait, to catch a fish with a bait or hunt with snares. The Devil lies in wait to enticed believers into sin and away from God's will for their lives.

Part 3 verse 15
The cycle of sin is that a person is first being dragged away and enticed, then the desire comes and it's offspring is sin, and then it results in ultimate death.

The key here is for a believer not to be enticed by his/her own evil desires but to flee from it and keep it in check.

The wrong choice to allow oneself to be enticed and ultimately have a desire to sin will lead to death.

The right choice of fleeing away and going to God will result in blessings. It can be tough at times, but when one consider the consequences that sin can bring and believe the Lord who says that we will reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7), it helps us choose to flee from sin.

Important Note :
I have chosen based on my study from 'The Bible Knowledge Commentary' by John F.Walvoord and Roy B.Zack and selectively re-typed some of the more important parts, together with some of my own additional explanation to make this study simpler to digest and understand. My re-phrasing does not show a different meaning to what was originally written.

James 1:12 - Blessings Come through Perseverance

The Book Of James Chapter 1 verse 12
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"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him."

The Bible says that God will bless the man who has perseveres under trial. To the man that continues to walk with God, the Lord will reward him with the blessings of life.

The crown is life because the crown consists of life.

Going through a season of trials in life is not easy, but to the person who constantly asked the Lord for wisdom to see the benefits of it, the Lord will give the person the right attitude to go through it and then bless the person after he has endured them.

The Lord is a good God. To the one who seeks God, the prove of his love would be seen in the way the person endures tough times.

The crown of life here refers to the eternal life that is promised to all believers through the enabling of God's Spirit and could also refer to the full life here now on earth as said in v4.

Important Note :
I have chosen based on my study from 'The Bible Knowledge Commentary' by John F.Walvoord and Roy B.Zack and selectively re-typed some of the more important parts, together with some of my own additional explanation to make this study simpler to digest and understand. My re-phrasing does not show a different meaning to what was originally written.

Studying the Book of James - True Riches Comes From Knowing God

The Book Of James Chapter 1 verses 9-11
verse 5
"9 The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10 But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business"

The bible teaches us that when we find ourselves poor, we should not be envious of the person who is rich. We who are in Christ can stand tall in the fact that we have an eternal glory in Christ. We can boast in our exaltation and the fact that we are rich in the Lord, Heirs of God and co-heirs in Christ.

When we are rich, we should also not boast in our riches but in the fact that we are humans who can fail. In our human fraility, consider that our riches itself cannot obtain for us eternal riches and rest. Social prominence, wealth are things we can be so tempted to cling onto and placed our self-worth on, but these are things are are temporal, like the sun that withers the plant with its intense heat and destroy it.

So let us know the truth that only by walking with the eternal Lord and finding our satisfaction in Him can we truly be rich and happy.

Important Note :
I have chosen based on my study from 'The Bible Knowledge Commentary' by John F.Walvoord and Roy B.Zack and selectively re-typed some of the more important parts, together with some of my own additional explaination to make this study simpler to digest and understand. My re-phrasing does not show a different meaning to what was originally written.