Qualities Needed in Trials
May 8, 2019
Commentary
The thought of this scripture passage, as it pertains to the Word of God, may be described as follows: (1) It demands attention (vv. 19-20). We don’t hear enough because we are too quick to speak. The Lord gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason. (2) It demands reception (v. 21). Having urged his readers to have an attentive attitude toward the Word, James now calls on them to receive it, embrace it and make it their own. We must put out of our lives everything which it condemns. (3) It demands practice (vv. 22-25). James’ appeal to the believer is, “But be ye doers of the word and not hears only” The person who thinks it is sufficient just to be a hearer is deceiving himself (v. 22b). Think about the life of a person who hears but does not practice the Word (vv. 23-25). It is like a man who looks carelessly at himself in a mirror and then immediately forgets what he really looks like. The point is that hearing without doing is of little or no benefit.
Do we take God’s word and really apply it? No matter how spiritual we may think we are, we all could control our speech more effectively. In these two verses three tests are given as to how well a person is applying the Word of God in his life:
Controlling the tongue (v. 26a). A person may be very involved in religious activity but careless in his speech. Activity is useless if we don’t bridle our tongues. This takes discipline. The tongue is like an unruly horse that needs a bit and bridle to control it.Compassion for the needy (v. 27b). The externals of religious worship are not acceptable to God unless accompanied by loving service. Christians are to take a personal interest in and express loving concern for orphans and widows. Consecrated lifestyle (v.27c). One of the qualities of a truly religious man is that he will keep himself unspotted (uncontaminated) by the world. This no doubt refers to moral purity.
Application
I need to ask each member of my family to share one thing that God has recently spoken to them about through his Word. Then ask what steps they are taking to put it into practice.
James 1:19– 27 (NET)
19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. 20 For human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. 21 So put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the message implanted within you, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be sure you live out the message and do not merely listen to it and so deceive yourselves. 23 For if someone merely listens to the message and does not live it out, he is like someone who gazes at his own face in a mirror. 24 For he gazes at himself and then goes out and immediately forgets what sort of person he was. 25 But the one who peers into the perfect law of liberty and fixes his attention there, and does not become a forgetful listener but one who lives it out—he will be blessed in what he does. 26 If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their adversity and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
Illustration: Swindoll Guilty as Charged
Chuck Swindoll tells how several years ago some of the fellows in his church recognized his car when he ran a red light. As a result he was invited by them to meet him at a coffee shop for breakfast, or they said jokingly “face the media.” He arrived early with a big sign on his shirt that read “Guilty as charged.” When every one had laughed at his sign he turned it over which said, He who is without sin cast the first stone!” Now he says that every time he is tempted to run a light, the incident comes to haunt him which is one of the many benefits of accountability! (Charles Swindoll, The Bride).