James 1:1

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.

Here’s the brother of Jesus Christ, and he calls himself a “servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Since James and Jesus had different fathers, that makes them step-brothers instead of full brothers.

I think about my brother. Here’s a guy I played around with most of my life. He was the one I picked on, played tricks on, teased, shared my toys and my life with. I wonder what kind of relationship James and Jesus had. That had to be close. James had to know his brother well–he spent his life with him. Yet, he calls himself a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

James labeled himself the title of bondservant without attributing any relationship with Jesus. This was an act of humility. James could have said, “James, a servant of God and brother of the Lord Jesus Christ.” To me, that would make more of an impact on the reader. Wow, here’s the Lord’s brother writing to us. I would be tempted to use my relationship to Jesus as a stepping stone to get people’s attention.

But that was not the case with James. He was simply a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

James wrote this letter to the Jewish believers (twelve tribes) spread out over the nations. He was addressing those people who were Jewish and practiced Jewish customs.

James 1:2-3

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

A “pure joy” James commanded. He was not saying to deny the reality of a situation, but be content in all your circumstances. Why? Because you are developing perseverance by the “testing of your faith.”

It is interesting that James said we will face trials of “many kinds”. He did not say “if ever”; he said “whenever”. From this statement, we can expect “many” trials to come our way.

Why does our faith need testing? Like anything else in life, how do we know if we are ready for anything? Look at school: Here you prepare and prepare, then you take a test to see how well you had prepared. Sometimes you fail, and get back into learning so that you can pass the test. And sometimes you pass and move on to more advanced teaching.

In the same way, our faith must be tested so that we can grow. If your faith is not tested, then you can expect it to remain stagnant–at the same grade for as long as you want. But, if you want to grow in faith, then expect it to be tested with “trials of many kinds.” If there is no testing, then there is no growth.

Two words stand out the most: ‘trials’ and ‘testing’. Here, the Greek word for ‘trials’ is peirasmos. This word is also translated in the KJV as ‘temptations’. We are faced with many kinds of temptations.

The word ‘testing’ comes from the Greek word dokimion. Our faith is tested. God may test our faith by leading us into temptation, but He does not tempt us (v. 13).

Does God lead us into temptation? First, look at Jesus. After he fasted for 40 days and 40 nights, the Holy Spirit led him into the wilderness to be tempted (Luke 4:1, 2). But, it was Satan who did the tempting. Jesus’ faith was tested through temptation.

Second, the Lord’s prayer says, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matt. 6:13). Jesus was instructing his disciples to pray to the Father in heaven. So, who tests us by leading us into temptation? God. But who does the tempting? Satan. God may dokimion us, but it is Satan who peirasmos us.

James 1:4

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

The perseverance that is developed in the testing of our faith “must finish its work.” Why? So that we may be “mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Maybe people today lack because they don’t want their faith tested, or they don’t persevere in times of trials and temptations. To be mature, however, the testing of your faith is required.

My wife has a slogan printed on a card that says, “Faith isn’t faith until it is the only thing you are holding on to.” How true, how true! Who needs faith when everything is going great? Faith is tested when everything is not going great. In fact, that’s when faith becomes more real–when you need to trust God even more.

In my own life, I have found that God becomes more real to me when things are going terrible. I cry out to Him for wisdom and guidance when everything is falling apart. We must learn that things fall apart so that we can trust God to put them back toget her. This is how God reveals is faithfulness to us–through those small victories that come by trusting Him. That’s why James admonishes us to consider it a “pure joy.”

James 1:5

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

In verses 2, 3 and 4, James is discussing how to respond to trials and temptations. Since persevering in times of trouble is difficult, we must ask God for wisdom. Therefore, the context of verse 5 pertains to wisdom in persevering through troubling times. In other words, James is telling the readers that if you don’t know how to make it through those tough times, then ask God for wisdom on how to persevere.

For those seeking wisdom, God will give it to all who asks, and He will give to all generously without finding fault. One translation says, “without reproach.” In other words, God won’t make you feel bad for asking.

When I read this verse, I imagine a young boy asking his father for some lunch money. The father could tell his son all about how hard it was to earn that money and that money doesn’t grow on trees. Or, the father could explain to the boy that he didn’t really deserve that money because he didn’t do all of his chores this week. Or, the father could just give him the money and say, “Here you go son, and enjoy your lunch. And here’s some extra in case you need it.”

In the same way, God could remind us that the price for that wisdom cost Him His Son. Or, God could remind us that we really didn’t deserve that wisdom because we are sinners. No, God wants to give us the wisdom we ask for without finding fault and with out reproach, because He loves us. We are His children, and He treats us with love and respect.

When we ask for wisdom, this verse says, “it will be given to him.” It does not say, “it may be given” or “in time, it will be given.” Rather, it simply says, “it will be given.” By faith, you must expect that wisdom to come. God has promised that the needed wisdom will come generously when you ask. People do not have wisdom, because they do not ask for wisdom. They have not, because they ask not (James 4:2).

James 1:6-8

But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

When you ask for this wisdom, you must believe that God will answer your prayers. It is an act of faith. “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnest ly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). This is a reward for earnestly seeking Him.

James describes what this unbelief is like. When we doubt, we are blown and tossed about by the wind. Imagine a small ship on the high seas during a great storm. This small ship will be tossed around by the storm. The small vessel has no control. In fact, the wind has control. When we doubt, we no longer have control, but the enemy has control.

James goes on to explain that a person who doubts should not even think they should receive anything from the Lord. In a way, that takes some faith. If you doubt, then you should believe that you’re not going to receive anything from the Lord.

This type of person is unstable in all that he does. Not just some or most of what he does, but all. How does one become unstable in all he does? By unbelief.

Doubt makes us double-minded. We should have an undivided heart (Ps. 86:11). If our heart is divided, then our faith is in circumstances, not God. If your faith is in circumstances, then circumstances will control you. If your faith is in God, then God will guide you.

James 1:9-11

The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its bl ossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.

Again, this is referencing the situations that we are to consider a pure joy. James admonishes us to “take pride” in this “high position.” I find it quite odd that “humble circumstances” are equated to a “high position.” Our testing of faith may require humble situations. In fact, it is through humility that we are exalted (1 Peter 5:6).

In verse 10, you find the contrast to the brother in humble circumstances. The lowly brother is compared to the rich man. Typically, the rich man will boast about his riches, yet James explains that this rich man should boast in his “low position.”

Why would someone who is rich boast about passing away like a wild flower? This is not something to boast about. James shows that the only thing a rich man can truly boast about is passing away like a wild flower.

Obviously, it is not a wealthy man that is described here. It is the “rich” man that is arrogant with his wealth and has no concern for the poor. There are some “rich” men in this world who love God with all their heart. This scripture does not automatically include them.

In verse 11, we see how the rich man passes away. The sun’s heat bears down on the flower, and it withers the plant. As the flower is destroyed by the heat, so is the rich man’s glory taken from him. When the heat bears down, the blossoms fail and its beauty is destroyed.

The end of verse brings up an interesting note. It says the rich man will pass away while he goes about his business. These arrogant men will be so caught up in their riches and gaining more riches, that they will be blinded of the destruction that is coming upon them.

James 1:12

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

The word ‘trial’ used here is the same Greek work used in verse 2 (peirasmos). The word ‘test’ used in this verse is also found in verse 2 (dokimion). When we persevere through the parasimas of the devil, we will have passed the dakimas of God.

The brother in humble circumstances is blessed when he perseveres under trial, because he will receive the crown of life that God has promised him. The key word here is ‘perseveres.’ Many people face trials everyday, but it those who persevere, who press on knowing God is testing their faith. It is those who trust God, and rest in the assurance of knowing that all things work together for good for those who love God (Romans 8:28).

When someone crumbles under the pressure of a temptation, then they fail the testing of their faith. They must overcome the temptation. Ask God for wisdom on how to press through a temptation or trial. He will give you that wisdom generously, without finding fault.

James 1:13

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.

How easy it is to cry out, “My God, my God. Why have you forsaken me” (Psalms 22:1). There are times when I have cried out to God asking, “Why, Lord? Why must I go through this?” But we must realize that it not God who is tempting us. God may allow t he temptation to come to test our faith, but He is not the one doing the tempting.

When we are tempted, it is not God tempting us. We should not say, “God is tempting me.” Rather, it is the devil who is tempting us. It was the devil who tempted Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1).

God does not tempt anyone, nor is He tempted. I find it interesting that God can not be tempted. If God can not be tempted, then how is it that Jesus was tempted? In John 10:30, Jesus declared that He and the Father were one. Therefore, isn’t Jesus God? If so, then how can He be tempted?

Jesus had his own will while here on earth. His will was separate from God’s will. “Not my will, but yours be done,” He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39). However, He chose to submit His will to the will of His Father. Jesus had His own will, therefore He had His own soul. It is our soul that is tempted.

What, then, is temptation? I have heard people say, “The devil made me do it.” No, the devil did not make you do anything. It is when you were dragged away and enticed by your own evil desires. The devil may drag you away and entice you to sin, but there is a point when it is your choice to follow through with that sin.

When it comes to temptation, God is faithful to provide a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able to handle. It comes down to this: there is no one to blame but yourself. Sin is a choice that we make contrary to God’s desired will for us.

James 1:15

Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Once we are dragged away and enticed, and our mind is set upon that sin, then the desire to sin has been conceived. The birth of sin is when we follow through with that action or thought. With that action or thought, we have just given birth to sin.

As soon as we realize that we have sinned, we must turn to God immediately. That sin must not be allowed to grow. If it does grow, James warns us that when sin is full-grown, it gives birth to death.

What a paradox! When sin is full-grown, it gives birth to spiritual death. Yet, when we are saved, our death to self provides spiritual birth.

Even when we are dragged away and enticed by our own desires, we must not allow that desire to conceive. Desires are conceived when we dwell upon those tempting thoughts. We must take hold of our thoughts. We must bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). It is only then that we can overcome any temptation.

James 1:16-17

Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

This is such a wonderful declaration. The devil may try to take glory for the good things in a person’s life, but he changes like “shifting shadows”. It is God who gives us every good and perfect gift. He does not change. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

What are some good and perfect gifts in your life? Salvation is a wonderful gift. Eternal life is an incredible gift. Knowing that God will not lead you astray is also a good gift. There are many things that God deserves the credit for. Give Him glory for those good and perfect gifts in your life.

If every good and perfect gift is from the Father, and it is He who tests us by leading us into temptation, then we can assume that temptation can serve a greater purpose than to just make our lives miserable. The testing of our faith builds our character. We are shaped by our choices. The very essence of our being is molded daily by the temptations we face and overcome.

James 1:18

He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

This is one of those perfect gifts that is described in the previous verse. He chose to give us a new birth into the kingdom of God through the word of truth. It is through this new birth that we become a “kind of firstfruits of all he created.”

What does that mean exactly? Of all that He has created, we are a kind of firstfruits. All that God has created is unfathomable–the universe, the plants and animals, the angels. How can we, as humans, be a kind of firstfruits of all this? Maybe we are a firstfruits, because we face a natural death before we are brought into the supernatural. Our spiritual eyes are closed to the supernatural around us. We must die, and be resurrected. We must return to dust and be raised again.

After a seed has been planted into the ground, it then brings forth a plant in due season. In the same way, when we die, we sow a corruptible body, and we are raised a incorruptible body (1 Corinthians 15:42). We must sow our natural body, and our spiritual bodies are a kind of firstfruits.

James 1:19-20

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

The above scripture has become so powerful in my life. Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. Okay, the first two have been easy, but I am still working on the last one.

When it comes to speaking, we are instructed to guard our words. The Proverbs talk much about controlling our tongue:

“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise” (Prov. 10:19).

“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Prov. 12:18).

“The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit” (Prov. 15:4).

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Prov. 18:21).

I like that one scripture that says, “When words are many, sin is not absent…” Oh, how true. I have listened to people as they’ve tried to talk themselves out of a situation. As they talked, they kept getting deeper and deeper into the problem, not out of it. We should guard our mouths and choose our words carefully.

Listening has also been a difficult task for me to master. As I listened to people talk, my mind would drift and I would start thinking about other things. Then, as I look up to see what the person is saying, they have asked me a question and waiting for a response. To my embarrassment, I have to ask them to repeat themselves. Have you been caught in this trap?

To change my way of listening, I now stop all that I am doing to listen to anybody who speaks to me. I stop working on the computer while on the phone. I put down things I am working on. I mute the TV. I create an atmosphere of listening. Then, I try my hardest to stay interested in whatever topic is being discussed. It is still a struggle, because I am notorious for drifting off into another thought. But, I have noticed a difference.

As for anger, we must learn to vent properly. We can not unleash our wrath on someone, and we can not hold in all of our anger. Both can be devastating. Rather, we must learn to properly release anger. The Bible says, “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry…” (Ephesians 4:26).

Is a sin to be angry? Well, God was angry and He is holy and pure. So, no, it is not a sin to be angry. It is what we do with that anger that can develop into sin. Do you take it out on your spouse or children? Do you reach for a beer to help you relax because somebody at work made you mad? Do you curse and get bitter about a situation at home? There are many natural ways to release your anger, but we should strive to release our anger in a Godly manner.

When things tend to bother us, we should cast our cares upon the Lord. “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall” (Ps. 55:22). When you are angry, take it to God. Let Him work it out for you. Cast all your burdens upon Him. Tell Him how you feel. He will listen to you. Remember, our anger does not “bring about the righteous life that God desires.” Let our anger turn into a fellowship time with God.

James 1:21

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

It’s a simple command: get rid of all moral filth and evil that is so prevalent. This first part of the command tells us to cleanse ourselves. The previous few scriptures talks about the tongue and its power. So, the filth and evil spoken here could be related to the words that you speak.

What are we to do after we have gotten rid of that filth and evil? We are to humbly accept the word that was planted in us, which can save us. Immediately, I think of the parable that Jesus spoke: “Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed” (Matt. 13:3). Here, Jesus talks about the different ways the Word (seed) is sowed. We are to take that seed that was planted in us and humbly accept it.

To humbly accept something means we don’t try to justify around it or reason over it. No, we accept it even if it doesn’t meet our requirements. That means we change our way of life to meet it’s standards, not the other way around.

This word that is planted in us can save us. Salvation comes when we accept Jesus Christ. This letter is being written to Christians, who should all ready be saved. So, what is this salvation that James is talking about here? Maybe it’s a daily soul salvation. An elder at my church explains salvation like this: our spirits are saved the day we truly accept Christ; our bodies will be saved at the resurrection; and our soul is being saved on a daily basis.

So, maybe the word planted in us can save our souls daily while we continue through this earthly adventure. That seed imparted to us not only brings spiritual salvation, but soul salvation. Our mind can be saved by this seed. Our thoughts can brought under control when we humbly accept those words.

James 1:22

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

This command ought to be the basis for all Christianity. Don’t just read and listen to the Bible, but do what it says. It’s a simple command, but yet it is so hard for people to follow. When people only listen to what the Word says, they are deceiving themselves. First John 3:18 explains, “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”

When we fulfill the Word of God in our life with actions, then we are loving in truth. Jesus was the hardest on the Pharisees, because the loved people with their lips, not their hearts. He constantly rebuked them for their hypocritical attitudes.

James 1:23-24

Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

When we are commanded to do something in the Bible, but only hear the command and not do it, we are forgetful according to this analogy. We forget what we were commanded to do.

In this scripture, the analogy of looking at ourselves in the mirror is used. The word of God allows us to see ourselves for who we really are. When we look into mirror intently, we can study ourselves–our outward appearance.

When we look into the Word of God, we can really see our inner self. When we study the Word intently, we look deep into our soul. It is the Word of God that separates our soul and spirit: “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebr. 4:12).

That last phrase tells you exactly what the word of God does: It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. That is why listening to the Word of God and not doing what it says is like looking at yourself and forgetting what you have seen. When you look into the Word of God, you will see yourself. Sometimes, you will hear conviction of sin, judgement and righteousness (John 16:8). We should act on that conviction, not just listen to it.

James 1:25

But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it –he will be blessed in what he does.

Looking “intently” into the perfect law that gives freedom and continuing to obey His commands will open the door for blessings in our life.

In Deuteronomy 28:1-2, Moses explains that blessings will come when we obey God and His commands: “If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God: …”

Obedience is the key to receiving blessings in our life. Obedience goes beyond just hearing the Word of the Lord. We must obey and put into action that which we hear.

If we see someone in need and simply say, “May the Lord bless you,” and we send them on their way without helping them, what good have we done? No, we should reach out and clothe the needy and lend a helping hand to those who need it.

Here’s how Jesus explains obedience: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me” (Matt 25:35-36).

When we help those in need, we are really helping Jesus.

James 1:26

If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.

Here, James spoke again about controlling our tongues. We must learn to keep a “tight rein” on our tongues. A horse pulling a cart or carrying a rider will go anywhere it pleases unless the rein is held tightly. In the same way, our tongue will speak anything it wants unless we hold it tightly.

James brought up another issue in comparison to controlling your tongue: religion. If someone considers himself religious, but doesn’t control his tongue, then his religion is worthless. You can keep all the laws of the Bible, but without controlling tongue, your attempts to be religious are in vain–they are worthless.

What, then, is a worthy religion?

James 1:27

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Pure religion. During the times of Jesus, there were many “religious” people. The Pharisees were probably the most religious sect of that time. These men gave full attention to the law. However, by keeping the letter (rhema) of the law, they missed the message (logos) of the law.

Jesus gives us the most important commandments: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30-31).

In this last verse of chapter one, James gives the description of a pure and faultless religion. It is to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from the corruptions of this world.

In a sense, this description of a pure, faultless religion is the same as Jesus’ most important commands. Looking after orphans and widows is the same as loving your neighbor as yourself. Also, by loving the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and mind, we can keep ourselves from being polluted by the world.

James reemphasized the most important commandments given to us by Jesus: Love God and love your neighbor.