lesson four humble before God

Transcription

1 lesson four humble before God James 4 Memory Verse: So, humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7, NLT Background: The overall purpose in this chapter continues a major theme woven throughout the book. James urges believers to be consistent in living out their devotion to God by their words and actions. Commitment to God is evident when Christians practice the faith they profess. Reflection: How are you doing in the area of humility? World The world [Gk kosmos orderly arrangement, decoration, world and its inhabitants; 181x in the New Testament; 5x in James] can refer to a variety of concepts according to context: 1. The earth or universe created by God [Ex: the world was made by Him (John 1:10); even the world itself would not contain the books which were written about Christ (John 21:25)] 2. The earth in contrast to heaven [Ex: He should depart out of this world to the Father (John 13:1); whoever has the world s goods (1 John 3:17)] 3. The inhabitants of the earth, mankind [Ex: For God so loved the world (John 3:16)] 4. The present condition of human affairs, in alienation from and in opposition to God, under the control of Satan [Ex: The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it, that its deeds are evil (John 7:7)] 5. Metaphorically [Ex: the tongue is a world of iniquity (James 3:6); the field is the world (Matthew 13:38)] World and Christ Christ s relationship with the world began as its Creator (John 1:10). God so loved the world that He sent Christ to take away the sins of the world as it Savior (John 1:29; 3:16; 4:42). Christ is the light of the world, but the world did not know Him and preferred the darkness of sin (John 1:10; 8:12). Christ did not come to condemn the world, but the world s rejection of Christ resulted in hatred of Christ, separation from Christ, and the ultimate judgment by Christ (John 3:17; 7:7; 8:23; 9:39; James 5:5 9). World and Satan Satan is presently the ruler or prince of the world, deceiving and leading governments, cultures, and individuals in opposition to God, Christ, and believers (John 12:31; 14:30; 2 Corinthians 4:3 4; 1 Peter 5:8; Rev 20:3). Satan presently accuses believers before God in heaven day and night (Rev 12:10). The world hated Christ and hates believers who reflect Christ on earth (John 15:18). The Holy Spirit presently convicts the world of sin (John 16:8). Ultimately, judgment is upon this world, and Satan and his minions will be judged and cast out (John 12:31; 16:11; Rev 20). World and Christians Christ has returned temporarily to the Father in Heaven. However, Christ s impact on the world continues today through Christians who are the light of the world, loved by God, and sent to share the Gospel with the whole world (Matthew 5:14; 26:13; John 13:1). Believers are not to be of the world [totally indistinguishable from it], nor are they to be out of the world [having no impact upon it], but the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit enables believers to be salt and light in sharing the truth in love as they are in the world, diligent to remain unspotted by the world (John 14:17; 17:11 16; James 1:27). continued on next page... 32

2 The world will hate Christians as it hated Christ, yet Christ has chosen us out of the world, others in the world will believe and be saved through the witness of believers and the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and Christ has prayed for and will protect His own (John 15:19; 17:6, 14 15). The world is attractive, yet God warns against gaining the whole world and losing one s soul (Matthew 16:26). The world pursues wealth, yet often the poor in this world are rich in faith (James 2:5). The world is characterized also by daily worry and anxiety, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things which choke the Word of God, and it becomes unfruitful (Mk 4:19). Friendship with the world is hostility toward God. Friendship [philos love, affection] with the world is considered to be adultery against God, and He actively consistently opposes [military term for a full army ready for battle] those who love the world (James 4:4). Believers are to not be conformed to this world (Romans 12:1 2), for we have been chosen out of the world (John 15:19) and sent into the world as ambassadors to impact the world for Christ (Matthew 5:14; Philippians 3:20). Draw near to God, your Creator who designed you, your Savior who died for you, your Lord and Bridegroom who will reign throughout eternity, resist the devil and his world system, and God promises that He will draw near to you. * These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. John 16:33 NASB 33

3 day one Read James 4:1 3 Military imagery is used to describe the state of the church in James 4: In verses 1 3, James writes about quarrels and fights. Why do you think brothers and sisters in the church have conflicts with one another? What does James think? 2. List possible reasons why a believer may not receive answers to prayer based on James 4: How do you understand what it means to ask with wrong motives? Sharing: Give an example from your own life. 4. Compare James 4:3 with 1 John 3:22 and 5:14. Write what you learn about prayer, noting the verses. Effective Prayer Ineffective Prayer 5. Read through Appendix B on prayer and record any additional thoughts here. 34

4 day two Read James 4:4 6 The Greek word for world is kosmos. 1. Read through the Word Box on The World at the beginning of this lesson. Which definition of world best describes the context of verse 4? What else do you learn? 2. Read Isaiah 54:5 10, Jeremiah 3:20 21, and Hosea 2:2 13. Why do you think James referred to God s people as adulterers in verse 4? 3. In what ways are some believers adulterous today? 4. Read Romans 8:5 8 and 1 John 2: How would you explain to a new believer that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? 5. Sharing: What emotions surface when you read that to continue being friends with the world you make yourself an enemy of God? List anything here that you will commit to stop doing or commit to start doing. 6. What hope do believers have that we can be faithful despite our tendency toward sin? 35

5 day three Read James 4: Describe how believers can humbly submit to God despite challenging circumstances. 2. What do the following Scriptures teach Christians to do in order to resist the devil? Matthew 4:1 11 Ephesians 6: Peter 5: John 5: List the commands, plus any results from those commands, found in James 4: Sharing: What comfort do you receive from God s promise in verse 8? Memory Verse: So, humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7, NLT 36

6 day four Read James 4:11 12 James gives additional warnings against pride, specifically assuming God s position by judging. 1. According to verse 11, how does James describe the speech of a believer who criticizes and judges a sister or brother in Christ? 2. Refer to James 1:25 and James 2:8. How is criticizing and judging a sister or brother in Christ the same as criticizing and judging God s law? 3. Sharing: How do you typically respond when someone criticizes or judges another believer in your presence? What is a healthy way to respond in this situation? 4. Sharing: In your absence, how would you like a fellow believer to respond if you are the person being maligned? 5. According to Revelation 12:10, if we speak evil against our brothers and sisters, whom are we like? 6. According to Matthew 7:3 4, what should our focus be instead of focusing on judging a neighbor s sins? Memory Verse: So, humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7, NLT 37

7 day five Read James 4:13 17 James 4:13 17 reveals another facet of arrogance. 1. Taking into account Proverbs 6:6 8, 21:5, and this passage, what is the difference between boasting in our plans and appropriate planning? 2. What do you think arrogantly planning for the future might indicate? 3. Why do you think James had such strong words for boasting? 4. What do we need to keep in mind when we make our plans? 5. Sharing: Have you become aware of a sin that you ought not do after studying James 4? personal response to God A humble woman includes God in the making of her plans. She submits to His sovereign authority should the plans be overruled or changed. What affect might this mindset have on my attitude, my stress level, and my witness? Christians who submit to God s will experience His power and presence in a profound way. Convinced of God s goodness, believers trust in Him, not their plans. God often interrupts our plans to give us the grace we need to live a humble Christian life. Humility is not a position of weakness. Rather, it is a position of honor. Ask the Lord to show you any areas of your life that need humility. 38