2026 Devotions
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Bring Them Back: Run in Such a Way as to Win
During high school and even college, I was a pretty fast runner. But between high school and my arrival in the small city where I live today, I never entered a race. I exercised regularly, but I never thought about training for an actual competition.
Then, not long after moving here, things changed. Somehow, I was talked into entering a race.
Overall, I finished last. Or perhaps I finished first, because apparently I was the only person in my age group who completed the race! Strangely, I am certain there were several people in my age group when we started. I even remember seeing some runners behind me. But they never crossed the finish line.
Starting a race is one thing. Finishing it is another.
Listen to the apostle Paul:
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27, NIV)
If you are a Christian, you are in a race. This is not a race we can run carelessly or aimlessly. It is too important for that. Paul tells us to run with purpose, discipline, and our eyes fixed on the prize.
Every serious runner must train. In the same way, we must train spiritually. We study the Bible, pray faithfully, worship with God’s people, and allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives. God uses these things to strengthen our faith and get us into spiritual shape.
Time is passing. The clock is ticking. None of us knows how much time remains in our race. At the end of the course, Jesus is waiting to welcome everyone who belongs to Him.
But this race is not only about reaching the finish line ourselves. We also want to help those we love find Jesus and finish their race of faith. Some may have started following Christ but have fallen behind. Some may have become discouraged, distracted, or wounded. Others may never have truly begun.
Bring them back.
Cheer them on so they do not quit. Share God’s Word with them. Pray deeply and persistently, even if you must pray for years. Live such a Christ-centered life before them that even when they misunderstand or accuse you, they still see something real in your faith. Let your life continually point them toward Jesus.
Paul said:
“Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly.” (1 Corinthians 9:26, NIV)
Do not run aimlessly. Remember why you are here. Remember who is watching your life. Remember those who need your encouragement, your prayers, your compassion, and your witness.
Today, train with gladness in your heart. Run with purpose. Share your life and the good news of Jesus with compassion and boldness. Do not give up on the people you love. Call to those who have fallen behind and help them begin again.
Run in such a way as to win – and bring as many people with you as you can.
Let’s Get Them Back: Be Adaptable
When I was a boy, I occasionally attended a church that was slowly dying. The people were wonderful, faithful people, but the church could not adapt to its changing neighborhood. In fact, almost all the members – including my family – lived in the suburbs rather than in the community surrounding the church.
Recently, I decided to check on that church. Much to my surprise, it was thriving! The music was completely different, and many of the church’s methods had changed. But the message had not changed. They were still preaching the same gospel of Jesus Christ. The church had simply learned how to communicate that unchanging gospel to the people living in its neighborhood.
I am not suggesting that we change what we believe. We are guided by the Bible. It is the foundation of our faith, and the gospel does not change. But while the message must remain the same, our methods may need to change so that people can hear and understand it.
Listen to Paul describe his willingness to adapt:
“Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” (1 Corinthians 9:19-23, NIV)
To the Jews, Paul became like a Jew in order to win the Jews. That may have been fairly easy for him because Paul was Jewish. He understood their customs, traditions, and way of thinking.
But Paul was also willing to adapt to those who did not share his Jewish background. He did not expect them to become culturally Jewish before they could hear about Jesus. He met people where they were and presented the gospel in a way they could understand.
Some people in Paul’s day considered that a terrible compromise. But Paul did not compromise the gospel. He adapted his approach for the sake of the gospel. That was radical, and God used it to bring many people to Christ.
Paul understood what many of us have forgotten: We are in a race to reach people who are perishing. We are racing against the shortness of our own lives and the shortness of theirs. We cannot afford to spend our time protecting personal preferences while people desperately need Jesus.
Listen again to Paul’s words:
“I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” (1 Corinthians 9:22, NIV)
Paul was willing to surrender his preferences, but he never surrendered the truth. He changed his methods, but he never changed the message. His goal was not to make everyone comfortable. His goal was to remove every unnecessary obstacle that might keep someone from hearing the gospel.
What about us?
Do we look at people and say, “If they want to be Christians, they need to act like us, dress like us, sing our songs, and do things our way. Let them come to us and become like us”?
Or do we say, “I can adapt. I can learn new music. I can be patient with children who are noisy. I can listen to people whose experiences are different from mine. I can meet people where they are and help lead them to Christ”?
Being adaptable does not mean changing what we believe. It means caring more about reaching people than preserving our preferences. It means remembering that the church does not exist merely for those who are already inside. We have been sent into a changing world with the unchanging good news of Jesus Christ.
The gospel never changes, but our methods must be willing to change. Let us meet people where they are, love them as they are, and bring as many as we can to Jesus.
Let’s Get them Back: I Will Promote the Gospel
No church is perfect. That is because every church is made up of imperfect people – people like you and me. We all have flaws, but one of the most damaging is the tendency to pout when we do not get our way.
I am not talking about matters of biblical doctrine or the essential truths of our faith. I am talking about personal preferences, control, and hidden agendas. Some people act as though the church belongs to them. They become offended by new members, frustrated with young adults, and resentful toward anyone who disagrees with them.
I remember watching a movie about the great preacher Peter Marshall. In the church was a woman who considered herself the church boss. She was a descendant of a president, and she believed that gave her a certain standing. How dare anyone cross her! New members insulted her. Young adults irritated her. Anyone who disagreed with her became a problem.
It took years for her to understand that her attitude was not protecting the church. It was hindering God’s work.
The apostle Paul understood that even something he had a legitimate right to receive could become a hindrance to the gospel. As a minister of Christ, he had the right to receive material support from those he served. He explained:
“For it is written in the Law of Moses: ‘Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.’ Is it about oxen that God is concerned? Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us, because whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more?
“But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 9:9-12, NIV)
Did you hear what Paul said?
“We put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 9:12, NIV)
Paul was willing to lay down his rights for the sake of the gospel. He cared more about people finding Christ than he cared about getting his way. His question was not, “What do I deserve?” It was, “What will help others see Jesus?”
That is how God wants us to think.
When people come to Christ, lives are changed. When lives are changed, families are changed. When families are changed, churches and communities are changed. And when enough people begin living like Christ, the world around them begins to change.
We can become part of that change by refusing to look at people the way the world does.
The child who runs through the church and spills something on the floor is no longer merely a nuisance. That child is someone deeply loved by God – a life filled with wonderful possibilities.
The new member who suggests a different way of doing something is not necessarily a threat. That person may be someone God has brought to strengthen the church.
The young adult who asks difficult questions is not an enemy. That person may be searching for a faith that is genuine, biblical, and strong enough to withstand honest questions.
Before criticizing your neighbor, your family member, or someone in your church, stop and ask: Will my attitude help this person see Christ, or will it hinder the gospel?
Then remember Paul’s words:
“We put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 9:12, NIV)
Our preferences are not more important than people. Our pride is not more important than unity. And getting our way is never more important than helping someone find Jesus.
Let’s Get Them Back
“My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19-20, NIV)
The thing that troubles my heart most as a Christian is seeing Christians slowly drift away.
A trial hits. They miss a Sunday but return the next week. Later, they miss several Sundays before coming back. Then we do not see them for months. We visit and encourage them. They promise, “You will see me next week.” But the next week comes, and they do not show up. Slowly and almost unnoticed, they wander away.
James closes his letter with a call to action. He tells us to pursue those who have wandered from the truth. Bringing them back is an urgent and loving responsibility.
Most people do not wake up one morning and decide to abandon their faith. Wandering is usually gradual. Prayer becomes less frequent. The Bible remains unopened. Worship seems less important. Sin that once troubled the conscience becomes easier to excuse.
This is why we must pay attention to one another. The church is not merely a place where we attend a service. It is a family in which we encourage one another and help keep each other from being hardened by sin. (Hebrews 3:12-13; Hebrews 10:24-25)
However, we should not assume that everyone who misses church is wandering from God. Some may be sick, grieving, caring for family, working difficult hours, or quietly struggling with something we know nothing about. Reach out with concern, not suspicion. Before correcting someone, take time to listen and understand.
James says that “someone should bring that person back.” He does not leave this work only to pastors and church leaders. Someone must care enough to notice, pray, reach out, and lovingly point the wandering person back to Christ.
Jesus told of a shepherd who left the ninety-nine sheep to search for the one that had wandered away. That one sheep still mattered. The shepherd did not say, “It knows where the flock is.” He went looking for it, and when he found it, he rejoiced. (Matthew 18:12-14; Luke 15:4-7)
We should not sit back and say, “They know where the church is.” Send a message. Make a call. Visit when appropriate. Invite them to share a meal. Tell them they are missed and loved. Remind them that God has not stopped loving them and that the way home is still open.
But bring them back gently. Paul wrote that those who live by the Spirit should restore a person gently. The goal is not to embarrass them, punish them, or win an argument. The goal is healing and restoration. (Galatians 6:1)
Before you speak, pray. Ask God to purify your motives and give you the right words. Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Speak the truth, but speak it in love. (James 1:19-20; Ephesians 4:15)
Do not approach anyone with an attitude of superiority. Any of us can stumble. We come as fellow sinners who have received mercy, not as judges who have never needed grace.
Gentleness does not mean avoiding the truth. Love may require us to say that a path is wrong and dangerous. But our words should communicate, “I love you. I miss you. I want to walk with you back to Christ,” rather than, “I am better than you, and I have come to straighten you out.”
Do not give up easily. One conversation may not bring someone back. They may avoid you, become defensive, or make promises they do not keep. Continue praying. Continue showing kindness. Continue leaving the door open. We can pray, speak, invite, and love, but only God can change the heart. (1 Corinthians 13:4, 7; 2 Timothy 2:24-26)
James says that whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will “save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” James is not saying that we become someone’s savior. Jesus alone saves. God uses our prayers, words, and loving concern to lead wandering people back to the Savior.
Covering sins does not mean hiding wrongdoing or protecting people from appropriate consequences. It points to the forgiveness that comes when a sinner repents and returns to God. Jesus gave His life so that our sins could be forgiven and we could be restored. (Psalm 32:1; 1 John 1:7-9)
Who has been missing? Who seems discouraged? Who has quietly drifted away?
Do not merely notice that they are gone. Pray for them. Reach out to them. Listen before you speak. Pour out your love and gently point them toward the truth. Maybe they are ashamed and do not know how to return. Maybe they believe no one cares. Show them that they are remembered, loved, and wanted.
Let us not gossip about those who have wandered. Let us go after them. Let us not condemn them from a distance. Let us come near with truth and grace.
Let’s get them back.
Elijah Prayed
What about you? What do you do when you are in trouble?
Elijah prayed. His prayer was powerful, not because Elijah possessed power in himself, but because he trusted the living God. James makes a point of telling us that Elijah “was a human being, even as we are.” He had fears, weaknesses, and discouragement just as we do. Nevertheless, he prayed earnestly. (James 5:17)
17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. (James 5:17-18, NIV)
Elijah lived during the reign of King Ahab, when Israel had turned away from the Lord and embraced the worship of Baal. Baal was believed to control storms, rain, and agricultural fertility. The long drought demonstrated that Baal had no power over the rain. The Lord alone ruled the heavens and the earth. Elijah later prayed again, and God sent rain upon the land. (1 Kings 16:29-33; 1 Kings 17:1; 1 Kings 18:41-45)
Elijah was praying during a time when a king and kingdom had forsaken God and turned to their own ways. His example teaches us that one faithful person can pray even when the surrounding culture has walked far from God.
James had already said that “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” A righteous person is not a perfect person. Elijah certainly was not perfect. A righteous person is someone whose faith is in God and who seeks to walk according to God’s will. The power is not found in special words or unusual spiritual ability. The power belongs to the God who hears the prayer. (James 5:16; 1 Kings 19:3-4)
Pray According to God’s Will
If we ask anything according to God’s will, he hears us. John puts it this way:
13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him. (1 John 5:13-15, NIV)
Praying according to God’s will does not mean that we must somehow discover a secret formula before God will listen. It means that we approach him with confidence and surrender. We ask boldly, but we also recognize that God sees what we cannot see and knows what we do not know.
Prayer is not a way of forcing God to carry out our will. Prayer is a way of placing ourselves and our needs into his will. We can tell God exactly what we hope for while still saying, “Your will be done.” (Matthew 6:10; Luke 22:42)
Take the Next Simple Step
When it comes down to it, James makes the application simple:
When you are in trouble, pray.
When you are happy, praise.
When you are sick, ask others to pray.
When another believer is suffering, pray with them.
When you do not know what will happen, trust God’s will.
We do not need to make the Christian life more complicated than God made it. Take the next simple step. Trust God when you are in trouble. Praise him when you are happy. Seek the support of God’s people when you are weak. Pray in faith, and leave the answer in the hands of the One who loves you.
Making Time for God
Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that. As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. (James 4:15-17, NIV)
People made plans—plans to make money, plans to build their businesses, plans for their future. But God was not part of those plans. Their plans had no room for God to interrupt them with His plans.
They planned their lives as if tomorrow belonged to them.
But James reminds us that knowing God’s will is not enough. When God shows us what is right, we are called to do it.
“If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”
—James 4:17 (NIV)
The danger is not only doing what is wrong. Sometimes, the greater danger is knowing what is right and refusing to do it.
God’s plans may interrupt our plans—but when they do, we need to remember: His plans are always better.
In context, it appears that many people were following their own wills. They were worried only about making a profit and getting ahead. They made their plans without considering God’s will, and they had forgotten to do what they knew they ought to do. They did not care whether their actions were dishonest, illegal, or harmful to others. They were ruthless in their ambition.
James reminds us that sin is not only doing what is wrong. Sin can also be knowing what is right and refusing to do it. It is possible to avoid certain sins and still fail to live faithfully because we ignore opportunities to show mercy, offer encouragement, defend someone, meet a need, or speak the truth in love. Faith is not merely about what we refuse to do. It is also about the good we choose to do.
John Wesley’s rules can be summarized in three simple ways:
Do no harm – avoid evil in every form.
Do good – actively show mercy and meet people’s physical and spiritual needs.
Stay in love with God – remain close to God through worship, prayer, Scripture, fellowship, and obedience.
A well-known saying associated with Wesley captures this spirit: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can.” This reflects the practical faith James teaches. We cannot go wrong when we consider the needs of others and follow the royal law: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (James 2:8)
Of course, loving your neighbor means you are not going to step over someone just to get ahead. You are not going to slander others, take advantage of them, or intentionally harm them through your words or actions. You will not treat people as obstacles standing between you and what you want. Every person is someone God loves, not someone to use for personal gain.
But doing no harm is only part of Christian obedience. Love also looks for opportunities to do good. It sees the lonely person and offers companionship. It notices the struggling person and provides help. It recognizes injustice and refuses to remain silent. It sees someone discouraged and speaks words that build them up. Our love must not remain in words alone; it must be expressed through sincere and practical action. (1 John 3:18)
James has already spoken about the difference between talk and action. It is one thing to speak about faith, but it is quite another to act upon it. Faith that never becomes obedience is empty. If we see someone in need and offer only kind words while withholding the help we are able to give, our words accomplish very little. (James 2:14-17)
This does not mean we can meet every need or solve every problem. We have limits, and wisdom is still necessary. But when God places a clear opportunity before us, and we have the ability to respond, we should not keep putting it off. Good intentions are not the same as obedience. Delayed obedience can easily become disobedience.
Do you see an opportunity to do good? Take it.
Are your words or actions hurting others? Stop.
Do you know there is something right that God is calling you to do? Do not put it off.
Both the negative and the positive reveal whether we truly love others: refusing to cause harm and actively choosing to do good. Genuine faith does more than avoid evil. It becomes visible through mercy, generosity, courage, and obedience. Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone. (Galatians 6:10)
Take Simple Steps
“Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.” (James 5:13-15, NIV)
The titles are endless. Self-help books proclaim that they have the way out of your troubles. Read the book, follow the steps, and your problems will be solved! What many of these books claim to do in hundreds of pages, James does in a few short words:
Are you in trouble? Pray.
Are you happy? Praise.
Are you sick? Call others to pray.
James gives us simple steps for every season of life. In trouble, turn to God. In happiness, praise God. In sickness, seek the prayers and support of God’s people. Whatever our circumstances may be, James directs our attention back to God.
When You Are in Trouble, Pray
James asks, “Is anyone among you in trouble?” The word translated “trouble” refers to suffering, hardship, or difficult circumstances. James is speaking about the trials that weigh down our hearts and test our faith.
When you are in trouble, pray. Ask the only One who can truly give you wisdom about how to act. Ask the One who can strengthen you and give you peace in your trial. Pray to the only One who can calm an anxious mind and give peace that goes beyond human understanding. (James 1:5; Philippians 4:6-7)
There is a difference between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is knowing the answer. Wisdom is living the answer. As Christians, we know that what we cannot overcome in our own strength, God can help us endure.
Prayer may not immediately change our circumstances. Sometimes God changes the situation. Sometimes He changes us. At other times, He gives us the strength to remain faithful through the trial. Paul asked the Lord three times to remove his “thorn,” but God answered, “My grace is sufficient for you.” (2 Corinthians 12:8-10)
Prayer is not the last thing we do after everything else fails. It should be the first thing we do because God is our first source of help.
When You Are Happy, Praise
James goes on to say, “Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.” Trouble should lead us to prayer, and gladness should lead us to praise.
In my last college job, there was an IT employee who would walk in almost every day singing songs. He was a happy man, and you could hear it and see it. His happiness did not remain hidden inside him. It came out in his voice.
This is how Christians generally need to be. We will all experience periods of sorrow, uncertainty, and anxiety. The Christian life does not mean that we will always feel cheerful. Yet even during difficult seasons, we have reasons to praise God for His presence, faithfulness, mercy, and promise of eternal life. (Psalm 34:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
We often remember to pray when life is difficult but forget to praise when life is good. James teaches us to bring both our pain and our joy to God. When God blesses us, we should not merely enjoy the gift. We should remember and praise the Giver.
When You Are Sick, Call Others to Pray
But what if you are ill? James says to call the elders of the church and ask them to pray. This reminds us that we were never meant to suffer alone. God has placed us within a family of believers who can support, encourage, and pray for us.
Time and time again, I have seen the Lord move to help and protect those who are ill. So pray for them. Bring their needs before God and trust them to His loving care.
James also tells the elders to anoint the sick person with oil in the name of the Lord. In biblical times, oil could be associated with care and healing. But the power was not in the oil. Healing comes from the Lord, not from a ritual or physical substance. (Mark 6:13; Luke 10:34)
James says that “the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up.” Notice who does the raising: the Lord. We pray in faith because we trust God’s power and compassion. But faith does not mean demanding that God follow our plans. Jesus Himself prayed, “Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (James 5:15; Matthew 26:39)
It is often God’s will to heal so that a person may continue living and serving the risen Savior. At other times, faithful believers remain ill. Paul lived with his thorn, and Timothy experienced frequent illnesses. God may heal through a miracle, medical treatment, gradual recovery, or ultimately by bringing His child safely into His eternal presence. Prayer and responsible medical care should work together, not compete with each other. (2 Corinthians 12:7-9; 1 Timothy 5:23)
Until the Lord calls us home, we should pray boldly for healing while humbly placing the outcome in His hands. Prayer is powerful because we are asking a compassionate and all-powerful God for help.
James makes the application simple. When you are in trouble, pray. When you are happy, praise. When you are sick, ask others to pray.
Whatever you are facing today, take the next simple step and turn toward God.
The Integrity of a Simple Yes or No
“Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear – not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No.’ Otherwise you will be condemned.” (James 5:12, NIV)
In my travels as a CIO, I noticed some common trends. One was that bosses sometimes promised employees more money, a promotion, or better benefits, but those promises never materialized.
Usually, it was not because the boss did not intend to keep the promise. Rather, someone higher in the organization overruled the decision. The boss had promised something that was not entirely within his or her control.
Employees naturally wanted a firm promise. They wanted assurance that the raise, promotion, or benefit would come. But I became cautious about promising things I could not guarantee. Instead of giving my word about something beyond my authority, I would often say, “I will try.”
There is honesty in those three words. “I will try” may not sound as reassuring as “I promise,” but it is better to speak honestly than to create an expectation we may not be able to fulfill.
James warns us about making solemn promises that we may be unable to keep. In the ancient world, people sometimes tried to make their words sound more reliable by swearing by heaven, earth, Jerusalem, or something else they considered sacred. They could also use carefully worded oaths to create the appearance of truthfulness while leaving themselves a way out. Jesus condemned this kind of dishonest speech. (Matthew 5:33-37; Matthew 23:16-22)
Jesus gave a warning very similar to the one James gives:
“All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” (Matthew 5:37, NIV)
Some Christians have understood these passages as prohibiting every formal oath, including an oath in court. Other Christians believe the main concern is careless, manipulative, or unnecessary swearing. Whatever position we take on formal oaths, the application for our daily lives is clear: God expects His people to tell the truth.
The issue is integrity. Our words should be trustworthy without being strengthened by dramatic promises. We should not have to say, “I swear to God,” “I swear on my life,” or “I promise you with all my heart” before people believe us. A Christian’s simple “yes” should mean yes, and a simple “no” should mean no.
Something else is worth considering. When people add too much to their “yes” or “no,” could they be trying to make a doubtful statement sound believable? Many words do not make an untruth true. Calling upon God’s name to support something we do not fully mean dishonors God and misleads our neighbor.
This does not mean that every broken commitment is a deliberate lie. Sometimes circumstances change. Illness comes. Resources disappear. Someone with greater authority makes a different decision. We cannot control everything that happens tomorrow. James has already reminded us to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15)
However, we can control whether we speak honestly today. Before making a commitment, we should ask ourselves: Is this within my control? Do I really intend to do it? Am I creating an expectation that I may not be able to meet?
We should also be careful with our “no.” Sometimes we say no because we do not want to be bothered, and then invent an excuse to make our answer sound better. A truthful and gracious no is better than a dishonest excuse. Integrity means speaking the truth both when we make a commitment and when we decline one.
This passage does not mean we should never make commitments. It means we should make them carefully, honestly, and humbly. We should not promise what lies beyond our control. When we give our word, we should make every reasonable effort to follow through. If circumstances prevent us from doing what we intended, we should admit it promptly, apologize when appropriate, and explain without making excuses.
Jesus is the perfect example of faithfulness. He did what He said He would do. His words could be trusted because His character could be trusted. As His followers, our speech should reflect His character. We are to put away falsehood and speak truthfully to one another. (Ephesians 4:25)
People may forget many of the words we speak, but they will remember whether our words can be trusted. Integrity is built one conversation and one commitment at a time.
Can the people around you trust your simple “yes” or “no,” or do your words need dramatic promises to make them believable?
Patience in Suffering
“Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” (James 5:10-11, NIV)
Patience can be difficult even when everything is going our way. But patience in the middle of a trial can be especially hard. When one problem follows another, we may cry out, “I don’t need this!” or “Not another problem! No way!”
Long before Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and others advocated peaceful resistance, Jesus taught His followers to respond to mistreatment in a radically different way. He taught us to turn the other cheek, love our enemies, and go the extra mile. Jesus was not teaching weakness or telling us to ignore abuse and injustice. He was teaching us not to allow anger, hatred, or revenge to control us. We can respond with courage and love because we trust God to judge rightly. (Matthew 5:39, 41, 44; Romans 12:19-21)
James points us to the prophets. Their only “wrongdoing” was faithfully proclaiming God’s Word to people who did not want to hear it. They suffered not because they had abandoned God, but because they remained faithful to Him.
Jeremiah was beaten and placed in stocks. Later, he was lowered into a muddy cistern and left there to die. Elijah was threatened by Queen Jezebel and forced to flee for his life. Zechariah was stoned after calling the people to return to God. Their obedience did not protect them from every trial, but God remained with them through their suffering. (Jeremiah 20:1-2; Jeremiah 38:6; 1 Kings 19:1-3; 2 Chronicles 24:20-22)
Hebrews describes what some faithful servants of God endured:
“There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated – the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.” (Hebrews 11:35-38, NIV)
The prophets were considered blessed because they persevered in faith. This does not mean that their suffering was pleasant or that pain itself was a blessing. They were blessed because they remained faithful to God and would receive the reward He had promised.
Their lives became admirable examples for us to follow. They remind us that faithfulness is not measured by how easy life becomes. It is measured by how firmly we continue to trust and obey God when life is hard.
James also reminds us of Job. Job lost his children, his possessions, and his health. He did not understand why he was suffering, and he wrestled honestly with his pain. He grieved, questioned, and cried out to God. Biblical patience does not mean pretending that we are not hurting. God is not threatened by our tears or honest questions.
Yet Job did not abandon God. Even in his confusion, he continued bringing his pain to Him. In the end, Job learned that God’s wisdom was greater than his own understanding. He also discovered that suffering did not have the final word. God’s compassion and mercy did. (Job 1:13-22; Job 2:7-10; Job 42:1-6, 10-17)
That is James’s main point: our patience rests in the character of God. We persevere not because suffering is good, but because the Lord is good. We may not understand what He is doing or see how our situation will end, but we can trust His compassionate and merciful heart.
Sometimes God changes our circumstances. At other times, He gives us the strength to endure them. Paul asked three times for his “thorn in the flesh” to be removed, but God answered by giving him sufficient grace. God’s help does not always come in the form we expect, but His grace will be enough for what He calls us to face. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
Patience is not passivity. It does not mean that we should remain in danger, excuse sinful behavior, or refuse appropriate help. Patience means that while we take wise and necessary action, we refuse to abandon our faith or take sinful revenge. We place ourselves in God’s hands and continue doing what is right.
Because God has been patient and merciful with us, we are called to show patience and mercy to others. That can be challenging, especially when we are tired, hurting, or under pressure. It is easy to become short-tempered when we are carrying a heavy burden. Yet those difficult moments reveal whether we are allowing our suffering to harden us or allowing God to work through it.
Think about the prophets. Remember Job. Look to Jesus, who endured suffering without surrendering to hatred. Then take the next faithful step. Pray when you are overwhelmed. Obey when you do not understand. Forgive rather than seek revenge. Wait for God to work, and remember that His compassion and mercy have not changed. (Hebrews 12:1-3)
How are you doing when it comes to being patient with others – especially when you are suffering?
Now Listen, You
“Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you.” (James 5:1)
James 5 begins with an alarm: “Now listen!” In other words, “Pay attention. Wake up. Look honestly at what you are doing.” James speaks with urgency because God’s judgment is certain.
The problem is not simply that these people were wealthy. Scripture does not condemn wealth itself. James condemns the way they gained, guarded, and used their wealth. They hoarded possessions, withheld wages, lived in selfish luxury, and oppressed innocent people.
Their riches appeared to offer security, but James says their wealth had rotted, their clothes had been eaten by moths, and their gold and silver had corroded. What they considered proof of success would become evidence against them. Wealth cannot save us, and success gained through injustice will not survive the judgment of God. (James 5:2-3)
God Hears the Worker
James brings the central injustice into the light:
“Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you.” (James 5:4)
These workers had completed their labor, but their employers refused to pay them. The workers may have lacked the power to defend themselves, but their cries reached “the ears of the Lord Almighty.” A dishonest employer may hide unpaid wages in an accounting system, bury injustice beneath excuses, or use authority to intimidate an employee, but nothing is hidden from God.
Years ago, I started a computer programming consulting business. One of the first people to hire me apparently had no intention of paying me for the work I completed. Unfortunately, this still happens. People benefit from another person’s time, skill, and labor, but then delay payment, reduce the agreed amount, or refuse to pay altogether.
James says unpaid wages do not remain silent. They cry out to God.
God has always cared about justice in the workplace. His law commanded employers not to exploit poor and needy workers or withhold their wages. Paying workers fairly and promptly is not merely good business practice; it is obedience to God. (Leviticus 19:13; Deuteronomy 24:14-15)
A Word to Workers
Workers should also examine how they perform their duties. Christians must not be lazy, dishonest, or careless simply because they work for someone else. Our work is part of our witness.
Whatever our occupation, we should work wholeheartedly, as though serving the Lord rather than merely serving a human supervisor. Whether anyone else notices or not, God sees. A Christian worker should be honest, dependable, diligent, and respectful. (Colossians 3:23; Ephesians 6:7)
Workers, work hard. Give honest effort. Keep your word. Arrive ready to serve. Do not steal time, misuse resources, or give less because you think no one will notice. Your daily work can honor Christ.
A Word to Employers
Employers, managers, and supervisors must remember that they also have a Master in heaven. They may possess earthly authority, but they do not possess ultimate authority. God will hold them accountable for how they treat the people who work for them. (Colossians 4:1)
Employers, be fair. Pay people promptly. Honor your agreements. Provide reasonable working conditions, and treat every worker with dignity. Profit does not excuse exploitation, and power does not justify injustice. God is not impressed by a successful business built on the suffering of mistreated people.
James condemns those who lived in luxury while the people who produced their wealth suffered. They believed they were preparing themselves for greater comfort, but James says they were fattening themselves for judgment. Self-indulgence had blinded them to the needs of others and to their own accountability before God. (James 5:5)
The Righteous Are Not Forgotten
James concludes his warning by declaring, “You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.” The wealthy had used their influence to exploit the powerless and corrupt justice. Those who should have been protected were instead condemned. (James 5:6)
These words also remind us of Jesus Christ, the perfectly righteous sufferer. He committed no violence and spoke no deceit, yet He was falsely accused and condemned. He did not answer oppression with violence but willingly endured the cross to accomplish God’s saving purpose. Human authorities condemned Him, but God vindicated Him through the resurrection. (Isaiah 53:7, 9, 11)
The righteous may sometimes appear defenseless, but they are never forgotten. God sees, God hears, and God will judge rightly.
James calls all of us to examine our work before God.
Workers, are you serving honestly and wholeheartedly, as unto the Lord?
Employers, are you paying people fairly and promptly? Are you honoring your agreements? Are you using authority to serve others or to take advantage of them?
The gospel must shape more than our words on Sunday. It should transform how we work, how we lead, how we pay, and how we treat people throughout the week.
Workers, work hard. Employers, be fair. And let us all remember that we serve a Master in heaven.
Every Day Belongs to God
13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. (James 4:13-16)
Years ago, a family living in poverty had an idea for a gym. The business began, and soon they were raking in money. Before long, they had a new home, new cars, and were living very well.
The problem was that they were spending their investors’ money on their own personal wealth. Soon the authorities were after them, and they fled the small town where we lived. I never heard from them again.
Scheming is dangerous. Leaving God out of our plans and going our own way without concern for what God may want us to do will eventually lead us into trouble. There is nothing wrong with making plans. Scripture even praises careful planning and hard work. The problem begins when we plan as though we control tomorrow and answer to no one but ourselves. (Proverbs 16:9; Proverbs 19:21)
The merchants James addressed were confidently planning where they would travel, how long they would stay, what business they would conduct, and how much money they would make. Trade itself was not the sin. Their mistake was speaking as if the future belonged to them. They had calculated everything except the will of God. (James 4:13-16)
James reminds us that we do not even know what tomorrow will bring. Our lives are like a mist – visible for a little while and then gone. The Old Testament gives us the same picture: human life is brief, like grass that flourishes in the morning and fades by evening. This is not meant to make us hopeless. It is meant to make us humble and help us use wisely the days God gives us. (Psalm 90:5-6, 12; Psalm 144:4)
Here is what James suggests: remember and tell yourself, “If it is the Lord’s will.” This should be more than a phrase we casually add to our plans. It is an attitude of surrender. James is telling us to put God at the center of our decisions.
Before taking a job, traveling for work, starting a business, making a major purchase, or, for that matter, making any plans, consult God. Pray about it. Search the Scriptures for wisdom. Seek godly counsel. Then put the outcome in God’s hands. We make our plans, but God has the right to correct them, delay them, or lead us in a completely different direction. (Proverbs 3:5-6; Proverbs 15:22; Proverbs 16:3, 9)
Personally, I have discovered God often correcting my path and changing my direction. Sometimes I have been a little slow in yielding to those changes. But in the end, listening to him was the way to true joy, no matter what the circumstances. God’s redirection may feel like an interruption, but it can actually be his protection and guidance. (Psalm 32:8; Romans 8:28)
Now it seems that some were bragging about their schemes. Their rallying cry was, “Watch me do it!” James says, “All such boasting is evil.” Their confidence was not in God but in their own ability, intelligence, and plans. Scripture warns us not to boast about tomorrow, because we do not know what even one day may bring. (Proverbs 27:1)
Saying, “If it is the Lord’s will,” does not mean we become passive, fearful, or unwilling to plan. It means we plan faithfully while remaining humble. We work hard, but we do not worship our work. We prepare for tomorrow, but we do not pretend to control it. We hold our plans with open hands because every day belongs to God. (Psalm 31:15; Luke 12:16-21)
Today, place your plans before the Lord. Ask him to close doors that should remain closed and open the ones that serve his purposes. Be willing to hear “yes,” “no,” “wait,” or “go another way.” The safest place is not where everything happens according to our plans. It is where we are surrendered to his will.
Watch Your Words
“Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another… There is only one Lawgiver and Judge… But you – who are you to judge your neighbor?” (James 4:11-12)
Slander is speech that damages another person’s reputation through false or malicious accusations. It may begin as careless conversation, but it often reveals pride, jealousy, bitterness, or resentment. Jesus said, “The mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (Matthew 12:34). Our words reveal what is happening within us.
James warns that speaking against a fellow believer is more than an offense against that person. It also places us in judgment over God’s law – especially the command to love our neighbor. Instead of obeying the law, we act as though we have the authority to judge it. Yet there is only one perfect Lawgiver and Judge. God alone knows every fact, sees every motive, and has the power to save or destroy.
This does not mean Christians must ignore sin or abandon moral discernment. Jesus taught us to examine ourselves before correcting others:
“First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5)
The difference is found in our attitude and purpose. Sinful judgment condemns, humiliates, and assumes the worst. Biblical correction is truthful, humble, and aimed at restoration. Paul wrote, “If someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves” (Galatians 6:1).
Before speaking about another person, we should therefore ask:
Is it true?
Is it necessary for me to say?
Is it loving and gracious?
Am I seeking restoration, or merely damaging a reputation?
When Gossip Becomes Slander
Gossip is dangerous because stories often become more dramatic each time they are repeated. An assumption becomes a rumor, the rumor is treated as fact, and soon an innocent person is judged unfairly.
I once heard a rumor about a fellow student who had been absent for some time. People claimed he had committed murder, and when he returned, many students avoided him. When I asked where he had been, he explained that his parents had divorced and his family had temporarily moved away. During that time, he had spent some of his spare hours digging graves.
Somehow, the truth that he had been digging graves became the false claim that he had committed murder. No one stopped to verify the story, yet careless gossip caused an innocent person to be treated as guilty.
Scripture warns against accepting accusations before hearing all sides:
“In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.” (Proverbs 18:17)
Slander is never harmless. It can destroy trust, divide families and churches, and leave wounds that remain long after the rumor has been disproved. Once words are spoken, we cannot always undo their effects.
A Better Way to Speak
God calls us to use our words to strengthen rather than destroy. When someone sins against us, Jesus teaches us to speak directly to that person instead of spreading the matter to others: “Go and point out their fault, just between the two of you” (Matthew 18:15).
When we hear gossip, we can refuse to participate, redirect the conversation, or encourage the speaker to address the person involved. Proverbs 26:20 says, “Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.” Refusing to repeat a rumor may prevent deep and unnecessary harm.
Our words should reflect the mercy we have received from God. James reminds us that “mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13). Because God has been patient and gracious with us, we should extend that same grace to others. This means refusing to assume motives we cannot know, checking facts before drawing conclusions, and correcting others only with humility and love.
There is only one perfect Judge, and we are not Him. Our calling is to examine our own hearts, speak the truth graciously, restore others gently, and show mercy generously.
Before speaking about someone, pause and pray:
Lord, are my words true, necessary, loving, and gracious? Will they help restore this person, or will they only cause harm?
“Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.” (1 Peter 3:10)
Fighting Temptation
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you… Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
James 4:7-10 (NIV)
Temptation is everywhere. It shows up in what we see, what we hear, what we watch, and in the quiet battles no one else knows about. And one of the biggest lies temptation tells us is this: “You can handle it on your own.”
If we are honest, that is often where we fail. We rely on our own strength, our own discipline, our own promises. We tell ourselves we are in control. But time after time, we learn the same lesson: willpower is not enough. What seemed small in the moment becomes heavy in the struggle. What seemed easy to resist becomes harder than we expected.
That is why James gives us a different starting point. He does not say, first resist. He says, first submit.
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil…”
That order matters.
Because if you try to fight spiritual battles without first surrendering to God, you are stepping into war dressed in your own weakness. Victory does not begin with self-confidence. It begins with dependence. It begins when we stop saying, “I got this,” and start saying, “Lord, I need You.”
Submission is not defeat. Submission to God is where strength begins. When we humble ourselves before Him, we place our minds, desires, struggles, and choices into His hands. We come under His authority, and in that place we discover His power. We are no longer fighting alone. We are no longer pretending to be stronger than we are. We are standing where grace meets us.
And James gives this promise: “Come near to God and he will come near to you.” That is not a distant God waiting for you to fix yourself first. That is a faithful God who meets the one who turns toward Him. He does not tell us to clean ourselves up before coming close. He tells us to come close so He can begin His cleansing work in us.
That is why James also says, “Wash your hands… purify your hearts… humble yourselves before the Lord.” God is not after outward appearance alone. He is not interested in polished religion hiding an unchanged heart. He wants truth in us. He wants repentance that is real, not performative. He wants clean hands and pure hearts.
And repentance is more than feeling bad. It is more than a guilty moment or an emotional apology. Repentance is honesty before God. It is calling sin what it is. It is grieving what it has done in us. It is turning away from what is destroying us and turning back to the God who can restore us.
This is hard, because we would rather look strong than admit weakness. We would rather manage the image than expose the wound. But the power of the Christian life is not found in pretending. It is found in surrender. It is found in drawing near. It is found in humbling ourselves before the Lord.
And here is the hope: God does not humble us in order to leave us low. He humbles us so He can lift us.
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
That is grace. We bring Him our weakness, and He gives strength. We bring Him our sin, and He gives cleansing. We bring Him our wandering hearts, and He gives mercy. We bring Him our burden, and He lifts us up.
So when temptation comes, do not begin with pride. Do not begin with self-trust. Begin with surrender. Say, “Lord, I need You.” Submit yourself to God. Draw near to Him. Let Him search your heart, cleanse your hands, purify your motives, and steady your steps. Then resist the devil, not in your own power, but in His.
The strength to stand does not come from believing in yourself. It comes from bowing before the God who is stronger than every temptation, stronger than every chain, and stronger than the enemy himself.
That is where victory begins.
More Grace
“Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’” (James 4:5-6, NIV)
Did you catch it? God “gives us more grace.”
There is absolutely no logical reason for God to forgive us. We have not earned His forgiveness, and we could never deserve it. Yet God’s character is to be forgiving and caring. He helps people who do not deserve His help. He loves people who could never earn His love.
Paul puts it this way:
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, NIV)
Jesus did not wait for us to become righteous before He died for us. He died for the ungodly:
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:6, NIV)
That is grace. Grace is undeserved mercy, forgiveness, and favor. We deserved the lump of coal, but instead God gave us the present!
James says that God “gives us more grace.” His grace is greater than anything another person could give. It keeps coming and coming. No matter how great our sin is, God’s grace is greater:
“But where sin increased, grace increased all the more.” (Romans 5:20b, NIV)
But as with everything God does for us, we must allow His amazing grace to affect the way we live. God’s grace should rid us of pride. It reminds us that we are forgiven, not perfect.
The next time you are tempted to judge someone, remember that you also deserve to be judged. Yet instead of pouring judgment upon you, God pours out His love and grace. Therefore, He expects you to deal humbly and graciously with others.
Jesus said:
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” (Matthew 7:1, NIV)
We are often quick to pick at the speck in our neighbor’s eye while ignoring the plank in our own:
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3, NIV)
James 4:6 draws from Proverbs 3:34:
“He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.” (Proverbs 3:34, NIV)
Pride causes us to think we are better than we really are. It magnifies the flaws of others while blinding us to our own. But humility allows us to see ourselves honestly: we are sinners saved by grace, completely dependent upon God.
Earlier in that same chapter, Proverbs tells us:
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes.” (Proverbs 3:5-7a, NIV)
So today, without hesitation, recognize that you are not superior to anyone else. You are a sinner who is deeply loved by God and covered by His grace. Let that grace humble you. Let it soften the way you see others. And let it move you to extend the same mercy, patience, and forgiveness that God has so freely given you.
You are not perfect. You are forgiven. You are loved. And God gives you more grace.
Friend or Foe
James 4:4 (NIV) says:
“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”
When James calls the people “adulterous,” he is pointing back to the constant strain in the relationship between God and Israel throughout their history. God had chosen the nation, cared for them, protected them, and even fed them with manna in the wilderness. Yet Israel repeatedly turned away from Him and picked up the sinful practices of the nations around them.
We see this at Mount Sinai. While God was giving Moses His law, the Israelites were below making a golden calf and worshiping it. They had witnessed God’s power in Egypt, walked through the Red Sea, and eaten the bread He provided from heaven. Still, they traded the glory of their faithful God for an idol made by human hands.
The same thing happened when Israel entered the Promised Land. God warned them not to imitate the surrounding nations, but they wanted to fit in. They worshiped the Baals, adopted corrupt practices, and eventually asked for a king so they could be “like all the other nations.” They made friends with the world, but that friendship came at a terrible cost.
King Ahab is another painful example. His alliance with Jezebel drew him deeper into Baal worship. Under their rule, greed and violence became normal. When Ahab wanted Naboth’s vineyard, Jezebel arranged for Naboth to be falsely accused and killed. Their friendship with the world’s values produced exactly what James warns about: jealousy, selfish ambition, hatred, and injustice.
This is why friendship with the world puts us at odds with God’s royal law – to love our neighbor as ourselves. The “world” here does not mean the people God calls us to love. It means a system of values opposed to Him: pride, greed, envy, selfish ambition, and the desire to have our own way. When we embrace those values, other people stop looking like neighbors to love and start looking like rivals to defeat, obstacles to remove, or tools to use.
Israel’s history reminds us that compromise rarely stays small. The Israelites did not merely live beside the nations; they slowly began to desire what those nations desired and worship what they worshiped. In the same way, friendship with the world begins when we allow its values to shape our hearts more than God’s Word does.
James is calling us to examine our loyalties. We cannot claim intimacy with God while secretly embracing the attitudes and practices that oppose Him. God desires our whole heart – not because He is cruel or controlling, but because He is faithful. He knows that the world’s promises eventually produce division, injustice, and death, while His way leads us into love, humility, mercy, and life.
The question is not simply, “Do I believe in God?” It is, “What is shaping my desires, my choices, and the way I treat my neighbor?”
What Causes Us to Quarrel?
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. (James 4:1-3, NIV)
A long time ago, I thought that most long-term members left a church because they disagreed with the preaching or teaching. While this certainly happens, many people may be lost from a fellowship because of a careless word, a quarrel with another member, or a gradual drifting into the world as other desires begin to displace Christ. How my heart aches over believers who have been dragged away by their own desires! Scripture warns us that “each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed” (James 1:14, NIV).
James teaches us to look beneath our outward conflicts. Quarrels may appear to be about words, decisions, personalities, or possessions, but the deeper battle is often within the heart. When our desires are denied, disappointment can quickly become resentment. When our pride is wounded, we may answer harshly or insist on having our own way. Yet the Lord calls us to examine our hearts before blaming others: “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense” (Proverbs 19:11, NIV).
As Christians, we must make certain that our wants do not become the cause of quarrels. Paul challenged believers who were taking one another to court: “Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?” (1 Corinthians 6:7, NIV). Paul was not excusing injustice or teaching us to remain silent in abusive situations. He was confronting a proud and contentious spirit that valued personal victory more than Christian love and the witness of the church.
Sometimes peace requires us to surrender our right to win. Love “is not self-seeking” and “keeps no record of wrongs” (1 Corinthians 13:5, NIV). This does not mean that every disagreement is sinful or that truth should be compromised. It means that even when we must address a problem, we should do so with humility, gentleness, and a desire for restoration. “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1, NIV).
Our Asking – and Our Failure to Ask
James also addresses our asking, or our lack of it. We may want something so badly that we relentlessly try to obtain it in our own strength. Some are even willing to use or hurt others to get what they want. We see employees backstab one another to get ahead. In sports, there may be an “accidental” knee or a shove intended to gain an advantage. These behaviors reveal the selfishness of our old nature, which Scripture calls “the flesh” (Galatians 5:19-21, NIV).
But Christians are called to walk by the Spirit rather than be ruled by the flesh (Galatians 5:16, NIV). Instead of manipulating circumstances or mistreating others, we should bring our desires honestly before God. Scripture invites us: “In every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6, NIV).
Listen carefully: it is always right to seek God’s help. He invites us to come to Him, and He cares about every part of our lives. Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7, NIV). We can approach God confidently because He is a loving Father who delights in giving good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:11, NIV).
Yet James reminds us that our motives matter. Sometimes our prayers are selfish. We all have genuine needs, and God graciously supplies many of our wants as well. But sometimes what we request would be spiritually unhealthy for us or harmful to those around us. A loving Father may say no because He sees what we cannot see.
That is part of what James is teaching. God is not a means of satisfying every passing desire. Prayer is not about persuading God to approve our will; it is about bringing our desires under His loving authority. Scripture assures us, “If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us” (1 John 5:14, NIV).
Jesus gave us the perfect example in Gethsemane. He expressed His desire honestly, yet surrendered it fully to the Father: “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42, NIV). We should likewise ask boldly, trust deeply, and submit humbly.
So ask God. Tell Him what you need and what you desire. But also ask Him to purify your motives, protect you from selfish ambition, and shape your heart according to His will. Then trust that His answer – whether yes, no, or wait – comes from perfect wisdom and steadfast love.
Questions for Reflection
Is there a conflict in my life that may be rooted in pride, jealousy, fear, or an unmet desire?
Have I been trying to obtain something through pressure, manipulation, or human effort instead of prayer?
Am I asking God merely to fulfill my desires, or am I willing for Him to change those desires?
Is there someone I need to forgive, approach gently, or seek peace with?
Can I sincerely pray, “Not my will, but Yours be done”?
Wisdom from Above
The wisdom that comes from heaven is first pure. Then it is peace-loving, considerate, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. Those who make peace and sow in peace will reap a harvest of righteousness. (James 3:17-18)
Back in chapter one, James tells us that if we lack wisdom, we should ask God for it. Now he explains what that wisdom accomplishes in our lives. (James 1:5)
The people James wrote to were slow to listen, quick to speak, and quick to become angry. They spoke harshly and fought with one another, yet they claimed their wisdom came from God. James reminded them that every good and perfect gift comes from above. That truth forced them to take an honest look at their lives. (James 1:17, 19-20; James 3:13-16; James 4:1-2)
Now James tells us what godly wisdom looks like.
God’s wisdom is pure because God is pure. It produces peace wherever it is found: peace in your own life and peace in the lives of those you touch through acts of love.
Wisdom is also considerate. It is willing to yield rather than fight simply to get its own way. I have often said that so little of what we fight about is worth the fight. Too often, we fight not because something is right, but because we want to dominate. We want to win.
Godly wisdom is full of mercy. It frees us from judging everyone for everything. People can see this kind of wisdom in us because it bears good fruit. That fruit includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)
True wisdom is impartial. It is not reserved for the people we like or those who agree with us. Just as God loves the world, the wise Christian loves their neighbor. We show mercy by refusing to concentrate only on our neighbor’s weaknesses and sins. Instead, we look to the life-changing power of God, who can make anyone a new creation in Christ. (John 3:16; Mark 12:31; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
Finally, James explains that those who sow peace will reap a harvest of righteousness. What we sow matters. Hatred produces anger and violence, but the wisdom of God produces peace, righteousness, and restored relationships.
The question is not simply, “Do I know what is right?” The question is, “Can others see the wisdom of God in the way I live?” Heavenly wisdom does not merely make us knowledgeable. It makes us more merciful, more peaceful, and more like Christ. It brings us close to God and helps us lead others closer to Him.
Who Is Wise? Show It by Your Life
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” (James 3:13-16)
You can almost hear James saying, “You claim to be wise and to have all the answers? Then show it by the way you live.”
True wisdom is more than knowing the right things. It is revealed through a Christ-like life, humble actions, and loving relationships. The apostle Paul expressed it this way: “Knowledge puffs up while love builds up.” (1 Corinthians 8:1)
Wisdom Lives for Christ
A wise person understands that life is not about living for self, but for Christ. Jesus did not call us to make ourselves the center of everything. He called us to deny ourselves, follow Him, and serve others. (Luke 9:23; Mark 10:43-45)
Living only for yourself will never satisfy you. Self-centered desire always wants more – more recognition, more possessions, more comfort, and more control. It is never satisfied. (Ecclesiastes 5:10; Luke 12:15)
By contrast, living for Christ and serving others gives life a greater purpose. When we use our gifts to bless people rather than promote ourselves, we reflect the heart of Jesus. (Philippians 2:3-5; 1 Peter 4:10)
Sometimes people say, “I will help others after I take care of a few things for myself.” But that day may never come. There will always be one more goal to reach, one more possession to gain, or one more problem to solve. Wisdom does not wait for a perfect time to do good. It acts when God provides the opportunity. (Proverbs 3:27-28; Galatians 6:10)
Wisdom Conquers Envy
James warns us about bitter envy. Envy does more than recognize another person’s abilities; it resents them for having those abilities. It makes us compare ourselves with others rather than faithfully use what God has given us. (James 3:14; Galatians 5:26)
We can admire the talents and skills of others without envying them. In fact, wisdom celebrates the gifts God has placed in other people. Wise leaders allow others to lead where they excel because they understand that every gift is valuable and that we need one another. (Romans 12:4-6; 1 Corinthians 12:14-21)
Envy asks, “Why are they getting the opportunity?” Wisdom asks, “How can I encourage them and help them succeed?” Love does not envy, and genuine honor takes delight in recognizing others. (1 Corinthians 13:4; Romans 12:10)
Wisdom Purifies Ambition
Ambition is not always wrong. It is good to desire growth, improvement, and excellence. Paul encouraged believers to make it their ambition to please God and to live faithfully. (2 Corinthians 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)
But selfish ambition is different. It seeks personal success at the expense of others. It is willing to use people, compete unfairly, or step over anyone who stands in the way. James says this kind of ambition produces disorder and every evil practice. (James 3:14-16; Philippians 2:3)
The world may call that clever, driven, or successful, but God does not call it wisdom. Success gained by exploiting others is not success in God’s eyes. Jesus warned that gaining the whole world is worthless if we lose what matters most. (Mark 8:36)
Heavenly wisdom does not ask, “How can I get ahead of everyone else?” It asks, “How can I honor Christ and help others flourish?” (Philippians 2:4; Colossians 3:17)
Two Kinds of Wisdom
James draws a sharp contrast between wisdom from above and counterfeit wisdom from below. A life ruled by envy, pride, and selfish ambition is not guided by God. James describes this false wisdom as earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. (James 3:15)
That is strong language, but James wants us to recognize the spiritual danger of self-centered living. The enemy’s work is marked by destruction, while the work of Jesus brings abundant life. Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)
False wisdom says:
Promote yourself, even if others are pushed down. (James 3:14)
Take what you can, even if others are harmed. (Micah 2:1-2)
Boast about your success, even if it was gained dishonestly. (Jeremiah 9:23)
Deny what is in your heart, rather than confessing and changing. (James 3:14; 1 John 1:9)
Heavenly wisdom says:
Walk humbly with God. (Micah 6:8)
Consider the needs of others. (Philippians 2:3-4)
Use your gifts to serve. (1 Peter 4:10)
Let your life demonstrate what you believe. (James 2:18; James 3:13)
Examine Your Life
True wisdom is not measured by how much Scripture we can quote, how strongly we express our opinions, or how many people recognize our abilities. It is measured by the life we live and the fruit we produce. Jesus taught that a tree is recognized by its fruit. (Matthew 7:16-20)
Ask yourself:
Does my life display humility, or am I trying to prove that I am better than others? (Romans 12:3)
Do I celebrate the gifts of others, or secretly resent their success? (Romans 12:15)
Does my ambition help people, or does it use people? (Philippians 2:3-4)
Do my decisions produce peace and goodness, or conflict and disorder? (James
3:16-18)
Can others see the wisdom of Christ in the way I live? (Colossians 4:5-6)
The Main Truth
You do not prove that you are wise by what you know. You show that you are wise by how you live. True wisdom is humble, loving, peaceful, and fruitful. It does not merely speak about Christ; it reflects Christ. (James 3:13; James 3:17-18)
Two Kinds of Water
Today I want to look at James 3:9-12. James has been talking about the power of the tongue, and now he points out a contradiction in the way we sometimes use our words.
Listen to what he says:
“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.” (James 3:9-12, NIV)
James is saying, “Something is not right here.”
With our mouths, we praise God. We sing, pray, and thank Him for His goodness. Then, sometimes with that same mouth, we gossip about someone, criticize them, insult them, or speak to them in anger.
James does not make excuses for this. He simply says, “This should not be.”
And notice why it is so serious. The people we tear down have been made in God’s likeness. Scripture says:
“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them.” (Genesis 1:27, NIV)
That includes the people we like and the people who get on our nerves. It includes the person who agrees with us and the person who does not. Every person has value because every person was made in the image of God.
Now, that does not mean we ignore sin or avoid difficult conversations. Sometimes we need to confront a problem. But even then, we are called to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).
James uses the picture of a spring. He asks:
“Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?” (James 3:11, NIV)
The obvious answer is no. The kind of water coming out of a spring tells us something about its source.
Our words work the same way. They reveal what is going on inside us. Jesus said:
“For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” (Matthew 12:34, NIV)
Our words do not come out of nowhere. If our hearts are full of bitterness, pride, jealousy, or anger, those things will eventually come out of our mouths. But if the Holy Spirit is producing love, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control within us, that fruit should also begin to show up in the way we speak (Galatians 5:22-23).
So, when harmful words keep coming out, it is not enough to say, “I need to watch my mouth.” We also need to ask, “What is going on in my heart?”
Maybe the real problem is unresolved anger. Maybe it is jealousy, fear, bitterness, or the need to prove that we are right. The mouth is where the problem becomes visible, but the heart is where God needs to do His work.
When we trust in Christ, God gives us new life. The Bible says:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV)
That does not mean we become perfect overnight. James has already told us:
“We all stumble in many ways.” (James 3:2, NIV)
Christians still stumble. We do not all grow at the same rate, and we do not all struggle with the same things. But if we belong to Christ, change should be taking place.
The question is not, “Do I ever fail?” We all do. The question is, “What do I do when I fail?”
Do I excuse it? Do I blame someone else? Do I say, “That is just the way I am”? Or do I confess it, apologize, and ask God to keep changing me?
There is a difference between struggling with sin and becoming comfortable with it. A growing Christian says, “Lord, what I said was wrong. Please forgive me and change my heart.”
James has already told us that no human being can tame the tongue (James 3:8). We cannot do this through willpower alone. But here is the good news: what we cannot tame, God can transform.
So today, give your tongue to Christ. Ask Him to help you before you speak. Ask Him to show you what your words reveal about your heart.
David prayed:
“Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psalm 141:3, NIV)
That is a practical prayer we can use every day – before a difficult conversation, before responding to an upsetting message, or when we are tempted to get the last word.
And when we slip up, we should not hide it or defend it. We should confess it to God and apologize to the person we hurt.
Before you speak today, ask yourself:
Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it loving? Will it build someone up or tear someone down? Does it sound like fresh water coming from a heart that is being changed by Christ?
We will not get it right every time. But as we submit our hearts and words to God, He will continue changing us. Over time, He can teach us to use our words to bring truth, grace, healing, and encouragement.
Taming the Untamable
James 3:3-8 says:
“When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” (James 3:3-8, NIV)
That is quite a list. James compares the tongue to a bit, a rudder, a spark, a fire, and deadly poison. His point is simple: the tongue may be small, but it is incredibly powerful.
A small bit can turn a large horse. A small rudder can steer a massive ship through strong winds. In the same way, our words can influence the direction of our lives. The problem is that the tongue does not always take us where we want to go.
One careless sentence can damage a friendship. One angry outburst can deepen a conflict. One misleading statement can ruin someone’s reputation. Words spoken in a moment can affect a marriage, a family, a church, or a community for years.
As Proverbs says:
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:21, NIV)
Our words can encourage or discourage. They can bring healing or cause pain. They can tell the truth or spread confusion. They can point people toward God or give them a distorted picture of who He is.
A Small Spark Can Start a Great Fire
James tells us to consider how a great forest can be set on fire by one small spark. That is a serious warning. A single comment may seem harmless when it leaves our mouth, but we cannot always control where it goes or how much damage it causes.
Gossip is a good example. It may begin with, “I probably shouldn’t say this, but…” Before long, the story has spread, details have been added, trust has been broken, and someone’s reputation has been damaged.
Proverbs warns us:
“A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.” (Proverbs 16:28, NIV)
Once a fire starts, it can be difficult to stop. The same is true of our words. We may apologize, and we should, but we cannot always take back the damage. That is why we need to slow down before we speak, especially when we are angry, hurt, or determined to have the last word.
James has already given us practical advice:
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” (James 1:19, NIV)
Words Can Mislead People About God
James is speaking especially seriously to those who teach God’s Word. In the early church, most people did not own personal copies of the Scriptures. Many could not read, so they depended heavily on teachers to explain the truth.
That made false teaching especially dangerous. Some taught that Gentile believers had to be circumcised and obey the law of Moses to be saved (Acts 15:1-5). Others mixed faith in Christ with sorcery or tried to use spiritual power for personal gain (Acts 8:9-24; 19:13-20). Some treated knowledge as a reason for pride rather than an opportunity to love and serve others.
Paul addressed that attitude when he wrote:
“But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.” (1 Corinthians 8:1, NIV)
This verse was originally written in the context of food sacrificed to idols, but the principle applies more broadly: knowledge without love can make us proud. A person may know a lot, speak confidently, and still do great damage if that person’s words are not guided by truth, humility, and love.
False teachers were not the only people with untamed tongues. There were also people who always had to say something, always had to win the argument, or always had to get the last word. Some used their words to stir up division and encourage rebellion. This problem was widespread then, and it is still common today.
No Human Being Can Tame the Tongue
James says something that may sound discouraging:
“No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” (James 3:8, NIV)
Notice that he says no human being can tame it. We cannot control our tongues perfectly through willpower alone. We may manage our words for a while, but eventually what is inside our hearts finds its way out.
Jesus said:
“For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” (Matthew 12:34, NIV)
The tongue is not only a mouth problem. It is a heart problem. If our hearts are filled with pride, bitterness, jealousy, or anger, those things will eventually show up in our words. That is why we need more than better speaking habits. We need God to change us from the inside out.
The good news is this: what no human being can tame, God can transform.
David prayed:
“Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psalm 141:3, NIV)
That is a prayer we all need. We need the Holy Spirit to help us recognize what is happening in our hearts, control what comes out of our mouths, and replace destructive words with words that give grace.
Paul gives us this practical direction:
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29, NIV)
A Question for the Heart
Think about your words over the past week. Have they brought healing or added fuel to a fire? Have they built people up or torn them down? Have you spoken the truth in love, or have you been more concerned with proving your point and getting the last word?
We will all stumble in what we say. But when we do, we should not excuse it or pretend it does not matter. We should confess it, apologize where necessary, receive God’s forgiveness, and ask Him to keep changing our hearts.
Before speaking, it may help to ask:
Is it true?
Is it necessary?
Is it loving?
Will it build up the person who hears it?
Does it reflect the character of Christ?
We cannot tame the tongue by ourselves. But as we submit our hearts to God, listen to His Word, and depend on the Holy Spirit, He can teach us to use our words for truth, healing, encouragement, and grace.
“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14, NIV)
We All Stumble in Many Ways
I admit it: sometimes I stumble. I am not perfect – not even close. But I do believe I am growing as a Christian and maturing as a person in Christ.
Listen to what James 3:2 says:
“We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.”
James reminds us of something we all need to remember: we all stumble in many ways. Every one of us has sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. That truth should humble us, but it should also keep drawing us back to Jesus for mercy, forgiveness, and strength.
Growing Through Our Failures
Stumbling does not automatically disqualify someone from teaching. After all, no teacher is sinless. But there is a difference between a believer who stumbles, repents, and keeps growing, and someone whose life shows no real evidence of faith, repentance, or God’s transforming work.
A faithful teacher does not have to be flawless. But over time, that person’s life should increasingly reflect the character of Christ.
Maturing in Christ
When James uses the word “perfect,” he is not talking about sinless perfection. He is talking about someone who is mature, complete, and growing in Christ.
One of the clearest signs of spiritual maturity is how we use our words. Our words matter because they often reveal what is really going on in our hearts. Jesus said, “The mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
Neither James nor Paul claimed to have reached sinless perfection. Paul openly admitted that he had not yet arrived. But he kept pressing forward in his pursuit of Christ.
A mature believer is not someone who has never failed. A mature believer is someone who responds to failure with repentance, receives God’s grace, and keeps growing in obedience.
A Question for the Heart
So, is God actively working in your life? Can you see evidence of His transforming grace? Are your words, your conduct, and your relationships beginning to reflect Christ more and more?
Teaching others is a serious calling, but spiritual maturity is not just for teachers. It is the calling of every believer.
May we humbly submit ourselves to God’s Word, depend on His grace, and allow Him to shape both what we say and how we live.
Faith That Lives: How Our Works Fit in
Christ’s Work Produces Good Works
As I said before, James 2:14 and James 2:26 are among the most misunderstood verses in all of Scripture:
“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?”
James 2:14, NIV
“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”
James 2:26, NIV
These verses do not negate or diminish the finished work of Christ. Rather, they teach that genuine faith in Christ results in good works. Our works do not save us; they are the fruit of the salvation we have received.
Ephesians 2:8-10 explains that salvation is the free gift of God. God has done all the work necessary for our salvation through Jesus Christ. We receive this gift through faith, not through our own effort or good works.
When we place our faith in Christ, God gives us new life. We are His workmanship, recreated in Christ Jesus and made new so that our lives begin to produce good works. Therefore, good works are not the cause of our salvation; they are the result of God’s saving and transforming grace.
Today, we will concentrate on the what happens when we trust in the work of Christ.
This brings us back to James.
James is not saying that our works save us. Christ’s work alone accomplishes salvation. James is saying that when we truly trust in Christ, His saving grace begins to transform the way we live.
Christ’s work is the foundation; our works are the fruit.
Christ’s work accomplishes salvation. Our works demonstrate living faith.
Christ’s work provides the basis of our acceptance. Our works flow from knowing that we are accepted in Him.
Christ’s work is perfect, sufficient, and complete. Our works remain imperfect, but they are increasingly shaped by His grace.
We are not saved by good works. We are saved for good works. We do not obey in order to earn God’s love; we obey because, in Christ, we have already received it.
A living faith begins to show itself through love, mercy, generosity, forgiveness, service, and obedience. These actions do not replace faith. They reveal that faith is alive.
A Question for the Heart
James calls us to examine ourselves. Has our faith remained only in our words, or is it beginning to shape the way we live?
This is not an invitation to anxious self-reliance. We are not called to stare endlessly at our own performance. We are called to look again to Christ:
God promised that Christ would come.
Christ lived the sinless life we could not live.
Christ died the obedient, substitutionary death we deserved.
Christ rose in victory over sin and death.
And Christ now gives new life to everyone who trusts in Him.
Saving faith looks away from self and rests in Christ. Then, strengthened by His grace, that faith begins to act.
Consider one practical question today: Because I trust in Christ, what act of love or obedience is He calling me to take?
Perhaps it is helping someone in need, forgiving someone who has hurt you, confessing a hidden sin, sharing what God has given you, or serving someone without seeking recognition.
Do not act to prove that you deserve salvation. Act because Jesus has already done everything necessary to save you.
Our works do not complete Christ’s work. Christ’s completed work produces good works in us.
Faith That Lives: His Death and Resurrection
Jesus Died the Death We Deserved
James 2:14 and James 2:26 are among the most misunderstood verses in all of Scripture:
“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?”
James 2:14, NIV
“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”
James 2:26, NIV
These verses do not negate or diminish the finished work of Christ. Rather, they teach that genuine faith in Christ results in good works. Our works do not save us; they are the fruit of the salvation we have received.
Ephesians 2:8-10 explains that salvation is the free gift of God. God has done all the work necessary for our salvation through Jesus Christ. We receive this gift through faith, not through our own effort or good works.
When we place our faith in Christ, God gives us new life. We are His workmanship, recreated in Christ Jesus and made new so that our lives begin to produce good works. Therefore, good works are not the cause of our salvation; they are the result of God’s saving and transforming grace.
Today, we will concentrate on the heart of that saving work: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The death of Jesus was not an accident or a tragic defeat. He willingly obeyed His Father and gave Himself for us.
Philippians 2:8 says:
“He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!”
At the cross, Jesus bore the judgment our sins deserved. He took the place of sinners so that we could be forgiven and reconciled to God.
1 Peter 2:24 says:
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness.”
Notice both parts of that verse. Jesus bore our sins so that we could be forgiven, but He also died so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness. His saving work changes both our standing before God and the direction of our lives.
Christ’s sacrifice was complete and final:
“For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”
Hebrews 10:14, NIV
Nothing needs to be added to what Jesus accomplished. Our good works do not help pay for our sins. Our obedience does not complete His sacrifice. We receive the benefits of His finished work through faith.
Jesus Rose in Victory
Jesus truly died, but death did not have the final word. On the third day, God raised Him bodily from the grave.
The angel announced:
“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.”
Matthew 28:6, NIV
The resurrection declares that Jesus is the victorious Son of God. His sacrifice was accepted, and the powers of sin and death were defeated.
Romans 4:25 says:
“He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.”
The resurrection is not an optional addition to the gospel. It is essential to our hope. Paul writes:
“If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.”
1 Corinthians 15:17, NIV
But Christ has been raised. Because He lives, everyone who trusts in Him receives forgiveness, a new standing before God, and the power of a new life.
Romans 6:4 says:
“Just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”
The risen Jesus does not merely make our old lives a little better. He gives us new life.
Faith That Lives: The Work of Christ
James 2:14, NIV
“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?”
James asks a searching question: What kind of faith do we have?
He is not asking whether our good works can save us. They cannot. He is asking whether a faith that exists only in words – a faith that never changes us or moves us to action – is genuine saving faith.
To understand the relationship between faith and works, we must begin not with our work, but with the work of Jesus Christ.
Saving faith is not confidence in our sincerity, effort, or goodness. Saving faith rests entirely on who Jesus is and what He has accomplished. The gospel announces what God promised, what Christ fulfilled through His sinless life and obedient death, and what God confirmed by raising Him from the dead.
God Promised a Savior
The work of Christ did not begin at Bethlehem. From the beginning, God promised that a Savior would come.
After humanity fell into sin, God declared that the offspring of the woman would one day defeat the serpent:
“He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
Genesis 3:15, NIV
Though the Savior would suffer, He would ultimately conquer the enemy.
Centuries later, Isaiah described a suffering servant who would bear the sins of others:
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities.”
Isaiah 53:5, NIV
When Jesus was born, an angel told Joseph:
“You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:21, NIV
Jesus did not come merely to offer moral instruction or set a good example. He came to save sinners. His coming reminds us that God is faithful. What God promised, He fulfilled in His Son.
Jesus Lived the Life We Could Not Live
Our deepest problem is not that we need better habits or greater determination. We have sinned against a holy God, and no amount of human effort can erase our guilt or produce the perfect righteousness He requires.
But Jesus did what we could never do. He lived in complete obedience to His Father.
First Peter 2:22 says:
“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
Jesus experienced genuine temptation. He knew weakness, hunger, sorrow, rejection, and suffering. Yet Hebrews 4:15 tells us:
“We have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin.”
Jesus was not merely better than us. He was completely without sin. His sinless life was essential to His saving work. Because He had no sin of His own, He could offer Himself as the spotless sacrifice for sinners.
Second Corinthians 5:21 says:
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
Jesus does not simply help us improve our moral record. Through faith, we are united to Him. Our sin was laid upon Him at the cross, and His righteousness becomes the basis of our acceptance before God.
The Royal Law a Devotion on James 2:8-13
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”[a] you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,”[b] also said, “You shall not murder.”[c] If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
We are incredibly happy that Jesus has given us a law that rises above every other law—a law that doesn’t just govern our behavior, but shapes our hearts. James calls it the royal law, and it’s simple enough for a child to understand yet deep enough to transform the world: love one another.
His command to love is meant to guide our every step and shape our every thought. It’s meant to influence the way we speak, the way we respond, the way we see people, and the way we carry ourselves in a world that desperately needs hope. When we choose love, we aren’t just being kind—we’re reflecting the very character of Christ.
And when we choose mercy, we’re spreading the truth of the good news. We’re showing the world that Jesus Christ brings eternal life—not just someday, but life that begins changing us right now. His love doesn’t only save souls; it reshapes communities. It heals relationships. It softens hearts. It pushes back the darkness in the world we live in.
James tells us that if we really keep the royal law—the law that reflects the very heart of God—then we are walking in the way of Christ. And that royal law is simple: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” It’s the kind of command that sounds easy until you actually try to live it out. Because loving your neighbor means loving the person who frustrates you, the person who disagrees with you, the person who can’t give you anything in return.
James says that when we show favoritism—when we treat some people as valuable and others as disposable—we break that royal law. We step out of the rhythm of grace and into the rhythm of the world. And he wants us to feel the seriousness of that. He wants us to understand that favoritism isn’t just a bad habit; it’s a violation of the gospel itself.
Then James takes us deeper. He reminds us that all of us will stand before the Lord one day. And on that day, God will judge with perfect justice. But James adds a sobering truth: judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. In other words, the way we treat people matters. The way we extend grace matters. The way we respond to the broken, the hurting, the overlooked—it all matters.
But James doesn’t leave us in fear. He lifts our eyes to one of the most beautiful truths in Scripture:
“Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
Mercy triumphed over judgment when Jesus stretched out His hands on the cross. Mercy triumphed over judgment when He welcomed sinners, healed lepers, and restored the outcast. Mercy triumphed over judgment when He looked at you and me—empty, broken, unable to earn His love—and poured out grace anyway.
And now James says, Let that mercy shape the way you live. Let it shape the way you speak. Let it shape the way you treat people who walk into your life.
So today, James invites us to make a choice—not once, but every single day.
Choose mercy. Choose love. Choose the royal law.
Because mercy triumphs over judgment. It always has. And through Christ living in us, it still can.
Playing Favorites A Devotion on James 2:1-7
My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?
One lesson I’ve learned over the years is this: playing favorites never actually works. In my ministry and leadership journey, I’ve been called into many organizations to help troubleshoot what was going wrong. And time after time, I discovered the same issue—someone’s “favorite” had been placed in a leadership role.
They were likable. They were friendly. People enjoyed being around them. But they were not a leader.
And when someone is elevated because of favoritism rather than calling, gifting, or character, the result is almost always the same: instead of lifting the organization up, everything begins to sink. Morale drops. Momentum stalls. People feel discouraged. What was meant to help ends up hurting.
Favoritism doesn’t build the body—it breaks it.
When James opens with “My brothers and sisters” (James 2:1), he’s not speaking into the air—he’s speaking straight to the church. Straight to us. And his message is simple, direct, and honestly a little uncomfortable: If you belong to Christ, you cannot show favoritism.
The word James uses for “partiality” literally means “to receive the face.” In other words, judging someone by what you see on the surface—status, appearance, wealth, influence. Scripture pushes back on that again and again. Paul says, “God does not show favoritism” (Romans 2:11). The Law says, *“Do not pervert justice… judge your neighbor fairly.” (Leviticus 19:15)
James roots this whole teaching in the character of Jesus Himself. He calls Him “our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.” And that matters, because the glory of Christ simply does not mix with the favoritism of the world. How can we follow the One who welcomed the poor, touched the outcast, and humbled Himself—and then turn around and elevate the wealthy while ignoring the needy?
So James gives us a picture. Imagine a gathering—he even uses the word synagogue, which means there may have been unbelievers present. A rich man walks in, wearing a gold ring—maybe even marking him as an Equestrian, a Roman aristocrat. And then a poor man walks in—destitute, invisible, easy to overlook.
And the church—God’s people—give the rich man the best seat… while telling the poor man to sit on the floor.
James doesn’t soften it. He says when we do this, we become “judges with evil thoughts.” We step into a role that belongs to God alone. We start evaluating people based on what we see instead of how God sees.
So James raises his voice a little: “Listen, my dear brothers and sisters…” (James 2:5). He wants us to feel the weight of this. Because this way of thinking—this worldly way of assigning value—is completely out of step with the gospel.
Christians do not judge by appearance. Christians do not assign worth based on wealth. Christians do not treat people differently because of status.
Why? Because Christ treated us with mercy when we had nothing to offer Him (James 2:13).
And now He calls us to do the same.
A Non‑Polluted Christian Living in a Polluted World
I believe our generation faces one of the hardest seasons in history. Every day we are flooded with messages. Some lift our hearts and lead us toward God. Others tempt us—pulling us to chase things we don’t need or to live in ways that wound us and the people we love.
Two truths make this struggle real. We cannot escape the brokenness around us, and at times, our own hearts feel the pull of those polluted waters. Yet even here, God’s grace is stronger.
James 1:26–27 (NIV) “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
True faith is life‑changing faith. It begins with God revealing who we truly are. Think about it: God knows every flaw, every weakness, every failure—every sin you’ve ever committed. And yet He loves you still. You are not saved because you are good; you are saved because God is good, even when you are not.
Repentance means changing your mind about yourself—your self‑sufficiency, your illusions of moral strength—and turning fully toward God. And when you turn toward Him, He changes your heart and ultimately your life. As Scripture says, you become a new creation, washed clean through the death and resurrection of Christ. The old is gone. The new has come. You are spiritually cleansed.
But here is the question James presses on us: If God has made you clean, why step back into polluted waters?
James focuses on one specific polluted stream: the tongue. A tongue that runs wild. A tongue that deceives. A tongue quick to lash out in anger. A tongue that stains a life God has washed clean.
Are you a child of God—cleansed, forgiven, renewed—yet still opening your mouth and saying the wrong thing? We all have. I know I have. No believer escapes this struggle.
But here is the promise that keeps us from despair: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” — 1 John 1:9 (NIV)
God does not merely forgive; He cleanses. He does not merely pardon; He purifies. He does not merely overlook; He overcomes.
So guard your tongue. Care for the vulnerable. And keep yourself from the world’s pollution—not by your strength, but by His grace.