Because, if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man studying his natural face in a mirror; Truth to Learn We can learn a lot about God and about ourselves by looking intently into the Word of God. Behind the Words The...
James 1:22 – Perfect Practice
But become doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Truth to Learn No one ever coined the phrase, “listening makes perfect.” That’s because it is only through practice that we improve on anything that we do. Behind the Words The word translated “become” is a form of...
James 1:21 – Discard Filth
Therefore having laid aside all filthiness and abundance of wickedness, receive in meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. Truth to Learn We need to rid ourselves of our sinful thoughts and actions and let the Word of God grow in our hearts. Behind the Words...
James 1:20 – Bad Example
Truth to Learn We should not be easily angered because it does not show the world the type of godly example that we should be. Behind the Words In the previous verse we looked at the Greek word orgē, which refers to “violent passions.” It is most likely derived from...
James 1:19 – Ears Open, Mouth Closed, Without Anger
Know this, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; Truth to Learn Your hearing will do you much more good in your walk with God than your mouth will. Behind the Words There is a variant reading in the first part...
James 1:18 – New Birth
Having desired it, He brought us forth by the word of truth, for us to be a certain first fruit of His creatures. Truth to Learn Our salvation is the greatest example of the goodness of God and His desire to give us good things. Behind the Words The words...
James 1:17 – God’s Perfect Gift
Every good act of giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Truth to Learn God cannot be the source of our temptation because He only gives what is good. Behind the Words...
James 1:16 – Perfect Love
Do not be led astray, my beloved brethren. Truth to Learn Seek the truth and do not let yourself be led astray, because God loves you with a perfect love. Behind the Words The word translated “be led astray” is a form of planaō which means “to cause to roam...
James 1:15 – Death’s Birth
Then, desire having conceived, gives birth to sin; and sin, having been completed, brings forth death. Truth to Learn Though we think of birth as the beginning of life, our unrestrained lusts produce a birth which results in death. Behind the Words The word translated “conceived” is a form of...
James 1:14 – Temptation’s Source
But each one is tempted by his own desires, being drawn away and enticed by them. Truth to Learn We may want to blame someone or something else for our sinfulness, but each of us is to blame for our own sin. Behind the Words James tells us that each...