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Day Three - The Characteristic of Faith (Part Two) - Read James 3:1-5:6
Moving from works to words, James shows how a living faith controls the tongue (“Slow to speak,” James 1:19). The tongue is small, but it has the power to accomplish great good or equally great evil. Only the power of God applied by an active faith can tame the tongue (James 3:1-12). Just as there are wicked and righteous uses of the tongue, so there are demonic and divine manifestations of wisdom (James 3:13-18). James contrasts seven characteristics of human wisdom with seven qualities of divine wisdom.
The strong pull of worldliness (James 4:1-12) and wealth (James 4:13-5:6) create conflicts that are harmful to the growth of faith. The world system is bitter with God; and the pursuit of its pleasures produces covetousness, envy, fighting, and arrogance (James 4:1-6). The believer’s only alternative is submission to God out of humble and repentant spirit. This will produce a transformed attitude toward others as well (James 4:7-12). This spirit of submission and humility should be applied to any attempts to amass wealth (James 4:13-17), especially because wealth can lead to pride, injustice, and selfishness (James 5:1-6).
Journal Prompt: How will you incorporate the lessons of James into your daily life?
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About this Plan
Examine the book of James in three parts: the test of faith, the characteristics of faith, and the triumph of faith. Faith without works cannot be called faith. Faith without works is dead, and a dead faith is worse than no faith at all. Faith must be there, but it must be more. It must inspire action. Throughout his epistle to Jewish believers, James integrates true faith and everyday practical experience by stressing that true faith must manifest itself in works of faith.
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