EXPLORE THE BIBLE LESSON

Brian L. Harbour July 19, 2009
HOW GENUINE ARE YOU?
James 1:19-27
LOOKING AT THE TEXT
INTRODUCTION: How do people recognize
a person as a Christian? James says we
demonstrate our faith by our actions. And
then he identifies some of these actions.
I. BY CONTROLLING OUR ANGER,
James 1:19-20
1. The anger James refers to in our text
is not anger aroused when
righteousness is being opposed but
anger that emanates from personal
hurt and that seeks personal revenge.
2. This kind of anger, James tells us in
verse 20: “does not bring about the
righteous life that God desires.”
3. So how can we deal with the real and
constant temptation that our anger
presents? James answers with three
phrases:
1) “Everyone should be quick to
listen.”
2) “Everyone should be . . . slow to
speak.”
3) “Everyone should be . . . slow to
become angry.”
II. BY AVOIDING IMMORALITY, James
1:21
1. James says we demonstrate our faith
when we avoid immorality.
2. The key moral issue of the Christian
life is not condemning evil in others –
particularly in non-Christians – but
demonstrating morality in our own
lives.
3. How can we do that? We can remove
filthiness from our lives when we
“humbly accept the word planted in
you.”
4. However, it is not enough just to
accept the implanted word. We must
also be willing to act on that word.
III. BY CONTROLLING OUR TONGUE,
James 1:26
1. James pictures the tongue as an
unruly, powerful horse that needs to
be controlled with bit and bridle.
2. James says the tongue is a
barometer that reveals our Christian
maturity.
IV. BY MINISTERING TO THOSE IN NEED,
James 1:27
1. “Orphans and widows” represents all
of the helpless people who are
around us.
2. When we minister to them, then we
are expressing our faith in a practical
way.
LIVING OUT THE TEXT
v Our faith should SHAPE OUR ACTIONS.
v Our faith should GOVERN OUR
RELATIONSHIPS.
v Our faith should DIRECT OUR
DECISIONS.