Read James 1:13-15 again. When does temptation become sin? Several Greek words are used in this passage to describe how sin begins, and all of them are connected with giving birth. When a wrong desire is nurtured, sin is conceived, like a baby in the womb. Sin, when it is completely grown, gives birth to … Continue reading –>
Read James 1:13-14. Why is it important that God does not tempt anyone? Where does temptation originate, and how can this knowledge be helpful in our own struggle with sin? James is emphatic. Not only is God not the author of evil, He is not the source of temptation either. Evil itself is the source … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: James 1:12-21, Ps. 119:11, Gen. 3:1-6, Titus 3:5-7, Rom. 13:12, Eph. 4:22. Memory Text: Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him (James 1:12). We all have experienced it. … Continue reading –>
Juan Caicedo Solis When 13-year-old Heidy Moreno and her cousin, Mirella began questioning their mothers’ rules, Heidy’s mother decided to stop their rebelliousness before it got out of hand. She took Heidy to a spirit medium-a witch. The medium claimed that Heidy had a bad spirit. “I see a gold feather over your head,” the … Continue reading –>
Further Study: Ellen G. White, “The Sermon on the Mount,” p. 298-314, in The Desire of Ages. God would have his servants become acquainted with their own hearts. In order to bring to them a true knowledge of their condition, he permits the fire of affliction to assail them, so that they may be purified. … Continue reading –>
In this short letter, James shows great concern for poor people; some even consider it his major theme. But to modern ears, his diatribes against the rich and in favor of the poor seem extreme, even shocking. At the same time, however, James isn’t saying anything much different from what Jesus has said. Compare James … Continue reading –>
Read James 1:6-8. What is he saying to us here? The word for doubt refers to one being inwardly divided; this helps us to understand its connection to double-mindedness. We see a clear example of this at Kadesh-Barnea. Israel faced a choice there: move forward in faith or rebel against the Lord. Amazingly, they chose … Continue reading –>
Read James 1:5-6. How is wisdom different from knowledge? What connection does James make between wisdom and faith? It may seem a bit odd that James says, If any of you lacks wisdom. Who thinks he or she has enough wisdom to begin with? Solomon, for instance, recognizing his need, humbly asked for an understanding … Continue reading –>
Read James 1:2-4. Notice the progression: faith, testing, patience, perfection. James begins with faith because that is the foundation of all true Christian experience. He then says we need trials to test the genuineness of our faith. Last, James states that trials can teach us perseverance, so that eventually we will not be caught by … Continue reading –>
Read James 1:2-3; 1 Peter 1:6-7; 1 Peter 4:12-13. What is the common attitude of both James and Peter in regard to trials? How are we supposed to relate to this incredible biblical injunction? No one likes suffering; we almost always avoid it if we can. The Greek word used in verse 3 for the … Continue reading –>
