Speaking James

 

James

Here are the "speaking the Bible" summaries for James.

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James Summaries
10-20-2020

James was written possibly not long before he was martyred in 69 A.D. He addresses his letter to the twelve dispersed tribes, yet it is to believers in Jesus. He first speaks of trials and says that they produce endurance. He says if you need wisdom to ask for it, in faith, and God will give it generously. He says to rejoice in whatever your circumstance--rich or poor. When you persevere under trial and are approved, you'll receive the crown of life. Don't say God is tempting you--He can't be tempted with evil and He doesn't tempt others. Temptation comes when a person is enticed by his own lust. It leads to sin, then death. Every good gift is from God. Put off filthiness and receive the Word--being a doer, not just a hearer, and bridle your tongue. 

James says to care for the widows and orphans in their distress. Don't show favoritism to the rich. Love your neighbor as yourself. Faith without works is dead. Don't just tell your brother to be warmed and filled, give him what he needs. Like the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead. The one who is able to control his tongue can control his whole body. It sets on fire the course of our life and is set on fire by hell. We tame bests, but no one can tame the tongue. We bless God and curse man--this ought not to be.

A wise man should show his good deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. The wisdom which is from above, not the bad behavior of jealousy and selfish ambition or arrogance. The source of your quarrels is your pleasure. You don't have because you don't ask, but you ask and don't receive because you ask with wrong motives to spend on your pleasures. A friend of the world is the enemy of God. Submit to God, resist the devil, and he'll flee.

Don't speak against one another for there is one Lawgiver and Judge. Don't boast about your plans, but say, 'if the Lord will, we'll do this.' He tells the rich to mourn for the miseries coming upon them because of their stored up rotting treasures, withholding wages, living luxuriously, condemning the righteous. Be patient until the coming of the Lord. Consider the suffering of the prophets and Job. If you're suffering--pray. If you're cheerful--sing praises. If you're sick--call for the elders of the church to pray for you and anoint you with oil. The prayer of faith will save the sick and sins will be forgiven. Confess your sins to one another and pray for each other. The effective prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much--like Elijah. Know that if you turn back one who strays, you save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sin.

• Rejoice.
• Persevere.
• Stay the course.
• Resist the lusts of the flesh, the temptations to sin, to be selfish, to speak against your brothers and sisters.
• Submit to God, resist the devil, and he'll flee.
• Ask for wisdom.
• Do good to others. Take care of them and treat them well.
• Pray for each other.
• Confess your sins and pray for each other.
• Turn back those who stray.