You can tell a Christian is genuine by the things they DO and SAY
[James 3:12]
“Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.”
What comes OUT of you (in the things you say and do) proves what’s IN you.
Most of us think of ourselves highly. Not that it’s wrong to have a positive self-image. But SOMETIMES our estimation of ourselves can get a little inflated.
[James 3:13]
“If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.
“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.”
[James 3:14]
“But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying.”
[James 3:15]
“For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.”
[James 3:17]
“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.”
SOMETIMES WE DON’T HAVE WHAT WE WANT BECAUSE WE LOOK IN THE WRONG PLACE
[James 4:1-3]
“ What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.”
SOMETIMES WE DON’T GET WHERE WE WANT BECAUSE GOD IS STANDING IN THE WAY
[James 4:4-6]
“ You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him (other translations say the spirit within us has been “filled with envy”). And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.””
BUT ALL THE TIME, GOD PUTS US RIGHT BACK INTO THE RIGHT SPOT WHEN WE GET OUR HEARTS RIGHT
[James 4:7-10]
“ So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”
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Application Questions
1. What stood out to you from this message and why?
2. What is one thing God is telling you to START doing because of this message?
3. What is one thing God is telling you to STOP doing because of this message?
4. How will this message change how you act at home, work and in the your relationships?