Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? (James 4:1, NKJV; compare Gal. 5:17.) What basic conflict do both of these passages describe? The opening verses of James 4 describe believers torn asunder by internal, bitter strife. There is an … Continue reading –>
Read James 3:15-16. What is his description of worldly wisdom? What are the common ways we see this wisdom manifested in the world, or even in the church? The wisdom that we have naturally is earthly, even demonic or devilish, and devoid of the Spirit. This should not be too surprising. Long ago, Solomon spoke … Continue reading –>
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom (James 3:13, ESV). The meekness of wisdom? What might that mean? Some commentators think that the entire third chapter of James has to do with what qualifies (or disqualifies) people to be teachers. Naturally, … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: James 3:13-4:10; Deut. 4:6; Gal. 5:17; Jer. 3:6-10, Jer. 3:20; Acts 19:13-16; Ps. 24:3-6. Memory Text: Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you (James 4:10, NASB 1995). In many midsize and larger companies, a middle-manager mentality exists. This attitude happens when workers feel entitled to … Continue reading –>
Vitaliano Marrero Vitaliano had it made. As an officer in the Cuban military, he had a steady job that carried with it a certain amount of respect. He and his wife, Migdalia, had two small children and lived in a modest home. Things were going well, and he had no interest in God or religion. … Continue reading –>
Further Study: Read about the power of speech in Talents, from the book Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 335-339, by Ellen G. White and share the points that impressed you with your Sabbath School class. “When in the company of those who indulge in foolish talk, it is our duty to change the subject of conversation … Continue reading –>
Today, as I write this week’s thoughts on Taming the Tongue, an assorted group of scientist have successfully landed a spacecraft on a comet. This historic achievement that cost well over 1 billion dollars is part of an ongoing attempt to discover the origins of life. Some hope that contained within the elements gathered by … Continue reading –>
Read James 3:9-12. What truth does James illustrate using the fountain, the fig tree, and the grapevine? The idea of both blessing and cursing coming out of the mouth of a Christian is disturbing, to say the least. What about watching profanity-laced television programs or movies during the week and attending church on Sabbath to … Continue reading –>
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. Malachi 3:10 ESV I was … Continue reading –>
[Thought questions for Taming the Tongue November 11, 2014] 1. But it’s so strong! Have you ever heard that the tongue is the strongest muscle in the human body? That’s actually a myth. When it comes to strength, the tongue comes in behind the strongest group of muscles—those that close the jaw. Do both types of … Continue reading –>
We’ve all experienced it. Something we said gets magnified, perhaps even exaggerated, to the point that we don’t even recognize it anymore. As James says, See how great a forest a little fire kindles (James 3:5, NKJV). Read prayerfully and carefully James 3:6. What is he saying about the power of our tongue, of our … Continue reading –>
Several years ago one of my superiors made a false accusation against me at church. I asked a couple of friends how I should refute what was said. One friend answered wisely, “Don’t defend yourself against the accusation. Doing so will only give the accusation merit.” My friend was right. Sadly, the leader who made … Continue reading –>
