The Study of JAMES

Lesson Twelve “Pure and Undefiled Religion” (James 1:27) The terms “pure” and “undefiled” are efforts to say that just being religious is not enough. Our religion must be characterized by these two terms or else it is invalid Man needs to fully realizes that he is estranged from God by his sinful rebellious spirit and needs to be reconciled to God.

Lesson Eleven “The Need to Bridle our Tongue” (James 1:26; 3:1-12) James briefly, but pointedly, shows the need for man to bridle his tongue. Then, in chapter three he comes back to the subject with strong warnings and dangers of the tongue. He is dealing with a very practical problem among humans—the lack of control of one’s tongue! James has a very forceful way of illustrating his subjects under consideration and his conclusions are very pointed, logical, and inescapable. It is as though he is saying that the way to evaluate a person’s religion is by his use of his tongue.

Lesson Ten “Doers of the Word” (James 1:22-25) The first emphasis of this lesson needs to be about the real dangers of not only being deceived, but being self-deceived! The dangers of deception are all about us! God tells us that there are many deceivers (2 John 7; Titus 1:10) who have gone out into the world.

Lesson Nine “Laying Aside Evil” (James 1:21; 4:1-10) Reception of the Word of God depends upon the kind of heart that we have. In the parable of the sower (Matthew 13), Jesus pointed out four kinds of soils that evidently represented the kinds of hearts of mankind.

Lesson Eight “The Swiftness to Hear” (James 1:19-21) James deals with some very practical factors in human relationships. One of the greatest evils in such relations can be the improper use of the tongue. (We will spend more time on the tongue in Lesson Eleven.)

Lesson Seven “Wisdom and God’s Word” (James 1:5; 1:18; 3:13-18) Another gift that God promises to give to the seeker is “wisdom!” But it is obvious that God’s wisdom has been revealed to us through His word. The Gospel (as well as Christ) is not only said to be the “power of God

Lesson Six “Gifts from God” (James 1:17; 4:13-17; 5:13-20) As a follow-up from Lesson five, James tells us not to mistake God’s place in man’s pathway to sin. Nothing but good comes from God—He is the author of good and not evil. God did not and does not plot man’s fall. He doesn’t want man to fall, nor to be lost eternally. Ezekiel said of God: “I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies, therefore, repent and live.”

Lesson Five “The Pathway of Sin” (James 1:12-16) Sin is the breaking of God’s Law or Lawlessness—not respecting Law (1 John 3:4). If there is no Law, there is no sin (Romans 5:13). The Bible says that “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23); therefore, we can logically conclude that all men are under God’s Law and are held accountable to it.

Lesson Four “The Sin of Showing Preference” (James 1:9-11; 2:1-13) We have suggested that the first chapter of James gives a brief pointed overview of what is discussed more in detail in the remainder of the book. James seems to quickly be passing from one thing to another throughout this first chapter.

Lesson Three “Perfecting Faith” (James 1:5-8; 2:14-26) The Emphasis upon faith is found in both Testaments! The Israelites that came out of Egypt were not allowed to go into the promise land because of their unbelief (Hebrews 3:18-19). We today are warned not to get caught up in “an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God.

Lesson Two “Attitudes Toward Mistreatment” (James 1:2-4; 5:1-12) Christians are often subjected to difficulties and trials and need to be shown the right ways or attitudes with which to deal with them. James certainly is not encouraging God’s people to court trials or even temptations, but rather to have the right attitudes and understanding about them when they do come.

Lesson One “Introduction to the Book of James” (James 1:1) The book of James has been variously evaluated by men. The three following quotes will give you some ideas of what others think about the book: “There is no more Jewish book in the New Testament than the Epistle of James, not even including Matthew, Hebrews, and the Revelation letter.”