Satan and his demons have a real handle on Scripture. Many of them could probably surpass our best theologians with their knowledge and understanding of who God is. If it were possible, they could pass ordination exams, seminary classes, and even disguise themselves as good Christians. They have knowledge that appears to be wisdom. But this wisdom is from below. It is a pseudo-wisdom. When our wisdom is from below we will ruin everything.

Words kill people every day. A father can crush his children with his words. A marriage can fall apart when words are too many or too absent. Rumors can bring a person to ruin regardless of the truth. Words can also bring healing. They can build up. They can be constructive. When gossip rages on and the image of God means nothing we will ruin everything.

Fame is a god that has no place in the church. Many of us desire to have a place of fame. We want to be noticed. Technology has given us all kinds of ways to be famous among our friends. A clever Facebook status makes us popular for a day. Our good deeds make us look good. Perhaps we are a good teacher and can really conduct a great Bible Study or Community Group. And yet James gives us a somber warning. Fame seekers cannot glorify Jesus for they glorify themselves. When ambition and power drive the church it will ruin everything.

If what we believe does not impact the world, we will ruin everything. When we return to authentic faith, we will know it. Our community will know it. Our friends and family will know it. We are not just speaking about an individual faith but a church full of people who have an authentic faith that works.

When our Christian walk is defined by our knowledge alone, and/or we lack a life of gratitude, we will ruin everything. James gets right to the point when he says that a faith that has no works is not able to save. The reason being is that a faith without a life of gratitude is not faith at all. James really brings it home when he says that a faith without works is very much like the faith of demons. They believe. It isn't enough to believe. Jesus changes people. Plain and simple. Are we changed?

When we fail to realize that every single human being has been created in the image of God, we will ruin everything. James confronts the church regarding favoritism. He uses the example of the rich receiving preference over the poor. This example has many applications. A theme we will take a look at is the theology of Imago Dei. We are all created in the image of God. Every human being ought to be treated as such.

We have all been there. We are moved by the preaching, the music, and the fellowship. But when Monday comes, we can barely remember why we went to church outside of the fact that we are creatures of habit. When worship and our daily lives are not connected, we will ruin everything.

If men and women cannot be quick to listen, slow to speak and instead continually seethe in anger, they will ruin everything. Every Sunday, there is an epidemic across the world—hundreds of thousands of people are falling asleep in pews. But what is even worse is that there are millions whose eyes have been opened who have also fallen asleep in their faith. Many Christians are not inclined to hear God's Word on a Sunday morning. How will they then give a rip throughout the week?

If men and women cannot be broken before God and each other, they will ruin everything. There are times in our lives when God doesn't seem so good. James admits as much. But he tells us not to be deceived about God's character. You can sense James' pastoral nature when he encourages the church to not fall into the deception of believing that God is not good.