Putting Feet to Your Faith
James 1:19-27
INTRODUCTION
The book of James is made up of short, pithy statements about specific aspects of the Christian life. When I was in seminary, we were taught that we had to have clear transitions between the points of our sermon. James seems to move from topic to topic with little or no transitional material. He was not so concerned about creating a well crafted sermon, as he was about helping people live out their faith in practical, life-changing ways.
In the second half of Chapter 1, James links together three loosely connected applications of our faith. First he addresses the issue of anger. Then he moves to being serious about listening to God’s word. Finally, he calls for genuine caring for one another.
What James has to say to us is very practical, not theoretical. Unlike some of Paul’s letters, James is not concerned about winning a theological argument. Instead, he is intent on “spurring on” his congregation to “love and good deeds.” At first glance, James seems harsh and even demanding. But if we stop and take a closer look, we can see a leader with a heart to see his people succeed on their spiritual journey. He is the “hard” professor who cares enough about his students to push them to do better. In a world that makes do with the minimum, James raises the bar and calls for moral and spiritual excellence.
In James 1:19-27, James calls us to put feet to our faith.
Study 1: James 1:19-21
One of the most common, and destructive, emotions that we experience is anger. Anger can show up in our lives in many forms and in various degrees. It could show up as mild irritation or it could explode with uncontrolled rage. However it manifests itself, unrestrained anger is destructive to our souls.
1. In verse 19, James lays out an appropriate response to the situations we face in life.
a. What does James say is the posture we should take when facing the circumstances of life?
b. How is what James says different from how people usually react?
c. How does James’ approach defuse difficult situations?
2. In verse 20, James defends his approach.
a. Why does James say that his is the best course of action?
b. In what ways does our anger hinder our spiritual development?
c. In what ways does our anger hinder God’s plans?
3. James moves to the cause of much of our anger.
a. How does evil input foster anger in our lives?
b. How can following God’s word guard our hearts?
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1. There is much anger in our world today. What are some of the root causes of this anger?
2. What kinds of things cause you to get angry?
3. What does it mean for us to really listen to others? How is listening different from hearing?
4. Think of a time when you spoke too soon. How would things have been different if you had been slow to speak?
5. In what ways can angry Christians become a hindrance to the advancement of the Gospel?
6. What do you need to do to guard your heart against unrestrained anger? (Eph. 6:25-27)
Study 2: James 1:22-25
While I was going to seminary, I worked as a Lab Technician in a hospital. Because I worked weekend nights, I was expected to cover a number of areas, including performing EKG’s. I was given a half hour crash course on setting up an EKG. The first time I had to perform one I messed it up, because I had listened to the words, but had not practiced it.
James warns us against listening to God’s word and then not putting it into practice.
1. In what ways is just listening to God’s word deceptive?
2. Every year we hear about people reading warning signs and then disregarding them to their detriment. In what ways is this like listening to God’s word, but not putting it into practice?
3. How does James describe the person who is a hearer only?
4. How is the true listener different from the mere hearer of God’s word?
5. What is the outcome of putting God’s word into practice?
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1. Think of a time when you heard someone talking, but you were not really listening. What was the outcome?
2. In what ways do we deceive ourselves when we listen to God’s word, but do not apply it?
3. What are some of the barriers to us actually applying God’s word to our lives?
4. What does it mean for you to look intently into the perfect law of God?
5. In what ways can following what God tells us in His word transform the way we live our lives?
6. Using a concordance, explore the many “one another” passages of the New Testament. What does it mean for you to put these things into practice?
Study 3: James 1:26-27
In verse 26-27, James moves from the general to the specific. He begins right away to apply what he has said in verse 22-25.
1. James addresses those who see themselves as religious.
a. What is your image of someone who considers themselves religious?
b. Why does James warn this person about the use of their tongue?
c. How can an unrestrained tongue cancel out a person’s façade of religion?
2. James summarizes what true religion is.
a. How does James describe pure religion?
b. How does what James says relate to what Jesus said in Mark 12:30-31?
c. How is the focus of James’ pure religion different from the implied Pharisaic religion referred to in verse 26?
3. Why would James focus on the care of widows and orphans?
4. What does it mean to keep oneself from be polluted by the world?
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1. How can being religious get in the way of living a genuine faith in the real world?
2. Why is it so important that we keep a tight rein on what we say?
3. How can our perception of being religious actually hinder our spiritual growth? (Romans 12:1-3)
4. Widows and orphans represent all people who are vulnerable and in need of help. Who has God placed in your circle of influence that you could reach out to?
5. What is the world’s idea of religion? How can this actually pollute our faith and keep us from living it out in practical ways?
Study 4: 1 John 3:16-20
John shares James’ desire to see our faith lived out in practical ways.
1. How does John define genuine love?
2. What does it mean for us to lay down our lives for others?
3. What practical application of love does John point to?
4. How does 1 John 3:18 support what James teaches in James 1?
5. How does John say we can have confidence in our faith and in God’s promises?
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1. When we think of Jesus laying down His life for us, we automatically go to the cross. In what other ways did Jesus lay down his life?
2. John is not calling us to die for others, so to speak. Practically how can we lay down our lives for others?
3. We live in a world filled with needs. We all at times get overwhelmed by it all. How can we apply John’s command without being crushed by it?
4. Why is a faith filled with action better than a faith filled with only words?
5. What practical steps is God calling you to take in your faith?
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