[Linux4christians] James 3:1-18 (Thursday)

[Pastor David]

*James 3:1-18 (Thursday)*

*‭Commentary*

"Not many of you should become teachers ..."

[Note:  One who accepts any role of authority in the 
transmission of God's word to those who will trust them must 
be aware that God defends His Word.  Those who sit under 
ones teaching have a right to presume accountability and 
sound "scholarship" from their teacher - for they are 
expected to submit to that authority - and though they be 
"good Bereans" and check the Word they are vulnerable to 
subtle deception - via carelessness or intentional deceit. 
God takes a dim view of those who mistreat His "children"!]

James notes that "... we all stumble in many ways" and that 
"... no human being can subdue the tongue".

[Note:  This is why James warns against becoming teachers 
because the care necessary to minimize error is extraordinary.]

James requires that those who claim to be "... wise and 
understanding" evidence "... good conduct" via "...
good works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings."

James then contrasts false claims of wisdom, "... earthy, 
natural, demonic" with "wisdom from above".
	
	False:
	"... bitter jealousy"
	"...selfishness in your hearts"
	"... disorder and every evil practice"

	Genuine:
	"... first pure"
	"... peaceable"
	"... gentle"
	"... accommodating"
	"... full of mercy"
	"... full of ... good fruit"
	"... impartial"
	"... not hypocritical"
	
	"And the fruit that consists of righteousness is
	planted in peace among those who make peace."

*Interaction*

*Consider* the desire of God that all who teach be committed 
to the integrity of the Word of God, thus to protect His 
"sheep" from the harm of careless and/or false beliefs.

*Discuss* the incredible power of the tongue to both condemn 
and praise other believers and to disrespect and praise God.

*Reflect* upon the lists of the fruits of false and genuine 
sources of wisdom; do you find any in your life which 
require attention to relocate from false to genuine?

*Share* an example of the incredible power of the tongue to 
both condemn and praise other believers and to disrespect 
and praise God.

*Truth in Action*

‭Today I am choosing to allow the Holy Spirit to identify at 
least one place in my life where I have been careless as a 
teacher, careless in my words, or careless as to the source 
of wisdom.  I agree to partner with the Holy Spirit, with 
the prayerful accountability of a fellow believer, to get 
things right with God.

*Be Specific*  ________________________________________


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Friday's text will be: ‭James 4
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Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day!  Pastor David
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Senior Pastor (Interim) Bethel Missionary Baptist
http://bethelstatesboro.org (new site pending)
Bible Commentary & Daily Reflection-Action-Devotional
http://bibleseven.com/b7/b7studies.html
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