For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

James 4:9-10  

• We can’t be merely academic or ethereal about our sin. An emotional response to God’s Word and God’s holiness is in order.
• "Blessed are those who mourn" (Matt 5:4)—is a passage often interpreted in the early church as mourning for one’s sins.
• Mourning and wailing are signs of repentance, not substitutes for it.
• “And he will lift you up….”
• Similar passages: Job 5:11; 22:29; Ps 149:4; Prov 29:25; Ezek 17:24; 21:31; Luke 18:14; 1 Pet 5:6

Prayer

• I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin. – Psalm 38:18
• Prayer makes godly persons, and puts within them the mind of Christ, the mind of humility, of self-surrender, of service, of pity, and of prayer. If we really pray, we will become more like God, or else we will quit praying. – E.M. Bounds (1835-1913)
• The neglected heart will soon be a heart overrun with worldly thoughts; the neglected life will soon become a moral chaos; the church that is not jealously protected by mighty intercession and sacrificial labors will before long become the abode of every evil bird and the hiding place for unsuspected corruption. The creeping wilderness will soon take over that church that trusts in its own strength and forgets to watch and pray. – A. W. Tozer (1897-1963)
• The Litany of Humility (included in Amen. Collected Prayers and Hymns for the Journey, 2022)

NEXT: Only One Judge

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

James 4:7-8

Review: James 4:4 is a passage that most churches don’t teach:

• Stepping on toes – consumerism..
• Challenging specific sins from the pulpit
• Warning members against the dangers / ugly side of politics
• Rejecting nationalism, thinking instead of our global community
• Caring genuinely (and knowing about) the needs of the poor and oppressed globally.
• In light of these considerations, is it not fair to conclude that most churches are worldly?
• Some heart-searching questions
  • Are my spending patterns the same as my neighbors’, or do I truly honor the Lord with my wealth?
  • Do I lovingly confront others when I see sin in their lives? And do I welcome their input when they sin in mine?
  • Do I have a high threshold for tolerating sex and violence in what I watch? How about “explicit-language” music?
  • Am I informed about the world, and do I care about the plight of the oppressed?
• Are we really living as the holy people of God? Or have we accepted the values of our country / culture — which in most of the West means the pursuit of pleasure and a high standard of living—backed up by a strong military.

Points from today's text:

• The devil is stronger than we may think, but he’s also weaker than we may imagine. Resist him!
• How does the Lord wish us to renounce the ways of the world?
• It means relying on the Lord instead of our own power, wisdom, pundits...
• We must choose. We can’t embrace God and the world.
• For every one of us, this has both personal and political implications
• As the people of God, it's probable fair to conclude we have not been submissive, holy, pure, and focused.

Further: Jesus & Politics (about 40 minutes; includes complete notes).

Next: Humble Yourself in the Sight of the Lord

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

James 4:4-6

• The adultery referred to in James 4:4 refers to the marriage between YHWH and his people (Isa 54:1-6; Jer 2:2).
  • OT condemnations of spiritual infidelity: Isa 1:21; 50:1; 57:3; Jer 3:7-10, 20; 13:27; Ezek 16:23-26, 38; 23:45; Hos 1-3; 9:1.
  • NT condemnations: Matt 12:39; 16:4; Mark 8:38; 2 Cor 11:1-2; Eph 5:22-23; Rev 19:7; 21:9.
• Abraham was not a friend of the world, but a friend of God (2:23).
• See also 1 John 2:15-17.
• Areas of worldliness:
  • Worldly language, dress, entertainment…
  • Worldly values: security, wealth, materialism, conspicuous consumption…
  • Befriending the world by resorting to its methods in order to advance God’s kingdom.
  • Hyper-patriotism and nationalism. Waging war with the weapons of the world (2 Cor 10).
  • Failing to care about those in the greatest need. Don’t say, "My town is prosperous, and there are plenty of people better off than me." Let’s lift our eyes and consider the entire world. Given the instant access nearly all of us have to information globally, we have no excuse for not being informed, and even less for not caring!
• V.5 is difficult, but however it is translated, or however we understand it, the passage points to our covenant relationship with the Lord, who is our husband. That is, we the church are the bride of Christ, and must not share our affections with another lover.
• V.6 is a strong biblical principle
  • “The proud” are not merely those who don’t take input well. The proud are those who side with the high and mighty and the powerful.
  • James is spotlighting pride and confidence in our own abilities and policies, which are actually at odds with God’s will, to achieve our own goals, like security, power, property, wealth, control.
• In James’s day, final deliverance did not come from compromise with the Romans (Sadducees) or armed revolt against them (Zealots), but from trusting in the Lord. The political route led to physical and spiritual disaster.

Next: Submit, resist, draw near, wash, and be purified

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

James 4:1-3

• Context: link with chapter 3 – peaceful vs. violent approaches to the problems in our world.
• The peace, shalom, of which James speaks is more than peace in our hearts, or harmony in the church. 
• It's not difficult to imagine there were quarrels within the church—but killing?
  • Some spiritualize the word – killing = hating (Matt 5). But this isn’t persuasive.
  • Is this referring to outsiders? Not all commentators take these words as literally applying to insiders. But it seems to me the passage makes more sense if James’s words are directed at political violence on the part of insiders.
  • After all, “Jesus, like James, confronted political and religious oppositions of his day, when Zealot militarism and Essene passivity stood at opposite ends of the spectrum.”
    • Zealots (those favoring violence as a legitimate means of driving out the Romans, and damaging those who collaborated with them—the Sadducees).
    • Essenes (the Dead Sea community that had withdrawn from the system, and were deeply critical of Jerusalem)
    • Sadducees – arranged death of James 62, and with the Pharisees the death of Jesus in 30.
    • An example of an intention of intramural murder is found in Acts 23:21-22.
    • Isn’t it also hard to believe that various Corinthians: Babbled like a kindergarten class in the belief God’s Spirit was moving them? Looked down on the apostle Paul? Denied the literal resurrection of Christ? Were proud that they weren’t disciplining a member in an immoral relationship with his stepmother? Were taking each other to court? Were getting drunk during the Lord’s Supper?
    • Is it so difficult to believe some Christians would support violent causes? Or perhaps better said, support causes that sometimes resort to violence? 
      • Just listen to what the, Americans, the Dutch, the French, the Russians, and many other national groups are advocating—just check the social media or watch the news!
      • Our world: Nearly 200 nations, 40 major wars, 100s of minor wars. Civil unrest, domestic terrorism…. And much of this violence is justified as God’s will. A good deal of the violence is carried out “in the name of Jesus.”
• Is there a contradiction with James 1, on prayer?
  • We shouldn’t expect the Lord to answer our prayers if they’re in conflict with his will.
  • Asking for something in Jesus’ name is not a magic talisman. It’s not a formula, either… (It’s not how NT prayers end, anyway.) When we seek the Lord’s will, as Christians, then all our prayers are already, automatically “in Jesus’ name.”
• Just as there are two kinds of wisdom, there are two fundamental responses to our problems (personal, local, global):
  • Patience. Be Peacemakers.
  • Anger. Resort to violence
• Politically motivated violence, revolution, and killing are forbidden. Further: Law, Allegiance, Revolution

The next reflection in the series: The Worldly Church

• Why is it so hard to believe any Christians would commit murder? (Why, because adultery, compared to murder, is relatively okay?)

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

To appreciate James and the logical flow of the letter, it is vital to understand the political background of Palestine in the New Testament period. These were troubled times: oppression under the Romans and those richer Jews who acted as their pawns, exorbitant taxes and food shortages and, with them, rioting and anti-Roman nationalistic fervor.

Some landowners even hired to execute or at least threaten tenants who were falling behind in their payments. The politically active Zealots, to whom Simon the Zealot, one of Jesus’ apostles, had belonged (Matthew 10:4), urged the nation to revolt. This pressing combination of factors climaxed in the Jewish War of 66-73 AD. In 70 AD Jerusalem and its temple were destroyed, never to be rebuilt.

If the history seems tangled, let’s simplify: Even in a time of social challenge and devastating famine, the rich were still oppressing the poor. This is why James addresses the pride of the rich (1:9-11; 2:1-9, 13-17), persecution by the rich (2:6-7; 5:6) and economic exploitation by the rich (5:4-6). Patient endurance, not violent retaliation, is enjoined upon the Christians. Without this perspective, the letter of James is difficult to appreciate and to understand.

Next: Waging War

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

James 3:17-19

• In 1st-century Palestine, James was a force for unity and peace.
  • “James is burdened with a desire for communal unity, but unfortunately the inevitable result of unruly tongues, unholy zeal, and unchecked party spirit is chaos and division.”
  • He had a sterling reputation (among the Jews and the Christians of his day). He was grieved by the many factions and frictions in Israel.
• Paul too had such a spirit (2 Cor 10:1ff), and taught this to others (Gal 5:23; 6:1). He trainedTimothy to pursue gentleness (1 Tim 6:11), and Titus as well (Titus 3:1ff).
• brother Jesus (Matt 11:28-29), who taught, "Blessed are the meek" (Matt 5:5).
• Yet the evangelical concept of manhood has changed greatly in the last half-century.
  • Personality, including charisma, is more valued than character. A real man is a take-charge guy, and (in leadership) typically embraces with a "command and control" approach to the ministry.
  • The "man's man" may be a bit rough around the edges. He enjoys (even needs) a good fight (or war). He is a hunter, an athlete, and a rugged outdoorsman. For sure he is no "sissy."
  • He may be a chauvinist (no one's perfect). He may abuse others verbally or even sexually (though such peccadilloes are downplayed or covered up.) Also tolerated may be outbursts of shouting, anger, zeal (without knowledge), impulsivity, and insensitivity. Perhaps communication skills are suboptimal. But it's all good, because surely someone has to lead.
  • Passages like Jas 3:17-18 are seen, or interpreted, as somehow “feminine."
  • Mentioned during the reflection: Jesus & John Wayne.
• But surely the standard of manhood is Jesushimself, the perfect human!
• If you'd like more on these themes, please check out the Sermon on the Mount series (40 devotionals, recorded in 2020) here.

Next: some brief background to James 4, then a reading of the entire letter (NASB).

• In teaching this sort of "wisdom" (Jas 3:17-18), James was only following the lead of his 

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

James 3:13-16

Intro

• In our next 2 reflections, James considers two types of wisdom.
• The Greek of James is so fine that some scholars deny that he could have penned this letter!
  • See Greek text below (Jas 3:13-16). See also papyrus copy of James 1 (below, R).
  • Whether these are James’ original words or they have been recorded by a scribe / improved is unknown!
  • Either way, they are a pleasure to read. If you want to learn NT Greek, you will need to take a proper course in a college or university. Not realistic to become “self-taught.”
• The situation:
  • Some people evidently viewed themselves as superior.
  • Yet they are overflowing with negative feelings.
  • Far from being wise, they are profoundly unspiritual.
• On pseudo-wisdom:
  • Wisdom is a matter of character—not education.
  • Wisdom is a matter of character—not intellect.
  • Wisdom does not necessarily come with age.
  • Rather, wisdom is knowledge used in a spiritually way.
  • Pseudo-wisdom is characterized by bitter envy, selfish ambition, disorder, sin, and pride.

Next: The final passage in ch 3, and a passage most churches ignore!

3:13 τίς σοφὸς καὶ ἐπιστήμων ἐν ὑμῖν; δειξάτω ἐκ τῆς καλῆς ἀναστροφῆς τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ ἐν πραύ̈τητι σοφίας. 14 εἰ δὲ ζῆλον πικρὸν ἔχετε καὶ ἐριθείαν ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ ὑμῶν, μὴ κατακαυχᾶσθε τῆς ἀληθείας καὶ ψεύδεσθε. 15 οὐκ ἔστιν αὕτη ἡ σοφία ἄνωθεν κατερχομένη, ἀλλὰ ἐπίγειος, ψυχική, δαιμονιώδης. 16 ὅπου γὰρ ζῆλος καὶ ἐριθεία, ἐκεῖ ἀκαταστασία καὶ πᾶν φαῦλον πρᾶγμα.

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

James 3:9-12

• So many images in this chapter: (tongue), bit, rudder, spark, taming (animals), poison, spring, fig tree… which bring to life the importance of the topic.
  • Common illustrations from the ancient world
  • Or from Jesus, like Matt 7:15-20.
• The focus: the misuse of tongue in worship
• “The good set of mind does not talk from both sides of its mouth: praises and curses, abuse and honor, calm and strife, hypocrisy and truth, poverty and wealth, but it has one disposition, uncontaminated and pure, toward all men. There is no duplicity in its perception or its hearing” (T. Benj. 6.5, 6).
• Application
  • Negative words:         
    • Slander            
    • Gossip              
    • Hypercritical of church leaders
    • Media posts….
  • Negative deeds:
    • Punitive driving                      
    • Punitive tipping            
    • Making a workmate’s job more difficult
    • Foot-dragging at work            
    • Getting back at an unpleasant boss
    • Various passive-aggressive behaviors
  • Controlling the tongue is esp. important as all members are called to ministry of instruction, at least on some level (Col 3:16; Rom 15:14; Heb 5:12-14).
• “Set a watch, O Lord, over my mouth / Keep the door of my lips” (Ps 141:3).

Next: Pseudo-Wisdom

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

Reminders:

• All of chapter 3 addresses the tongue, and has special relevance for and application to church leaders.
• The influence of the tongue may be enormous, despite its minuscule size (like a rudder, bit, or spark). The body of Christ can be significantly influenced—for better or worse—through the words of a single person.
• James wants to ensure that his readers / audience appreciate the seriousness of the point, so he offers even more illustrations (two in vs. 7-8, and two more in vs. 9-12).
• Keep in mind that James is speaking into an already tense situation, both economically and politically.

James 3:7-8

• Taming animals is a cinch compared to taming the tongue.
• "Restless"—There's no end to the harm we can cause with our tongues, if we throw discretion to the winds and ignore what God’s Word says.
• The impact of our words can be poisonous.
• Selected proverbs on the tongue (NRSV): 6:16-19; 10:19-20; 12:18; 15:1-2; 18:21; 21:23; 25:15; 26:28; 28:23; 31:26.

Questions for self:

• In a conversation, do I usually dominate?
• Do others every tell me I talk too much?
• Am I typically the loudest voice in the room?
• Do I always have to have the last word?
• Do I make unfavorable comments about others (even if they’re true)?
• Do I ever use profanity?
• Do I ever use coarse language?
• When others talk, do they feel that I am listening—or distracted? What do my children say? My spouse?
• Do I break confidences?
• Am I a flatterer?
• Am I tempted to answer tough questions dishonestly, or do I speak frankly and truthfully?
• Do I make promises that I fail to keep—or never intended to keep in the first place?
• Do I talk about others (without their permission) to third parties?
• Do I repeat third-hand information?
• Do I often say hurtful things—even unintentionally?
• Do I ever lie?
• (Teachers) When I’m speaking on a complex or sensitive subject, have I done the appropriate research, or do I tend to be careless with study, preparation, and attribution of sources?
• (Leaders) Do others feel I have heard them out, when they have criticisms, suggestions, or other things on their heart?
• (Speakers) Do I tend to go overtime?

Things to work on immediately

• Notice when others gossip – and refuse to join in.
• Record myself—and listen. How is my tone?
• If I'm loquacious, count to 3 before speaking / answering.
• Ask my family / friends if they think I need to improve in my use of my tongue.
• Reread the Proverbs.

Next: a passage most churches ignore.

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

.Review: "The Tongue of the Teacher: (no. 16)

• James 3:1 applies to all Christian leaders, at least those who speak, teach, preach—which is pretty much everybody.
• Reading between the lines, we realize that unspiritual teachers were a threat to the communities that James oversaw.
• As we will continue to see, it is broad applications for all followers of Christ, leaders or otherwise!

James 3:3-5

• Illustrations of the impact of a careless tongue:
  • Bits control horses, even though the bit itself is very small compared to the horse.
  • Rudders are essential for steering ships, although in comparison with the entire vessel the rudder(s) may be minuscule. 
  • A small spark can still cause an enormous conflagration!
  • There is a note of the diabolical, with the reference to hell. (Gehenna in Josh 15:8b; 18:16b; Neh 11:30 is the word for hell in the N.T., e.g. Mark 9:43, 47. See also Isa 66:23-24.)

• The danger is either potential or actual.
  • The Christian community is susceptible, vulnerable to the predations or errors of ungodly teachers.
  • James may be implying that some present teachers ought to step down.
  • Or he may be asking some to reconsider their interest in teaching others.
  • “Teachers who permit their tongues to get out of control are well on the way to becoming false teachers.”
• The solution isn't to get rid of the teachers (who would include, after all, all elders, preachers, and others who speak to the church), but to make sure of their character and biblical training.

Our next reflection: “The Untamable”