James Episode 5

I need to state, in case I am misunderstood, God indeed does help us to understand His Word, His scriptures. I just don't believe He is invested in any particular translation of His scripture in any given language. If He truly wanted a particular version the Spirit would be leading us deeper into the Hebrew and Greek instead of often misleading translations. Are they useful, of course, but they often do not convey the original intent.

James 1:12–18

[12] Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. [13] Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. [14] But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. [15] Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

[16] Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. [17] Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. [18] Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. (ESV)

Transcript

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All episodes are available for Hebrews, Romans, and for what has been recorded so far for James over at www.apostolicbiblestudy.net.

I would like to point out before we begin, I will be using the ESV from here out. I apologize if this offends anyone. My current neurological state has costed me a few IQ points and I didn’t have many to spare, so the KJV that I have so dearly loved has gone by the wayside.

James 1:12

[12] Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. (ESV)

I should have included this verse in the last episode as it ties up loose ends before moving onto the next thought presented by the author, but here we are.

Just a cross reference in my head here, God has promised to those who love Him, 2 scriptures come to mind;

John 14:15

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. (ESV)

and

2 Timothy 4:8

Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. (ESV)

Many have gotten their eyes off of where they are going, they have forgotten that Jesus taught us to be watchful, waiting for His returning, and although maybe they wouldn’t be so quick to admit it, they have fallen in love with being sucessful in this world.

It’s easy to get caught up in this world and have the people look up to you as you are a lawyer, a business man, maybe a foreman or a police officer, but we are to measure our success as how much we look like our Messiah.

James 1:13

[13] Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. (ESV)

Let’s take a look at the snapshot we are given of how the temptation of Job worked;

Job 1:6–12

[6] Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. [7] The LORD said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” [8] And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” [9] Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? [10] Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. [11] But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” [12] And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. (ESV)

Satan in hebrew is hasatan, ha is the hebrew definite article “the” and satan can mean either advesary, or accuser. Sort of like, Revelation 12:10

[10] And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. (ESV)

When we read Job, God did not cause his trouble. Satan accused him before God and caused God to drop the hedge that protected Job.

So let’s put this in our modern perspective of what James is saying in the 21st century. God did not put that pretty new 25 year old single blond, 2 cubicles down from you in your path to cause your 30 year old married self to stumble. God doesn’t tempt mankind, but James goes further and tells us what happens;

James 1:14–15

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. [15] Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. (ESV)

ha-satan knows your weakness, if it’s the opposite sex, he or his minions have studied you enough to know what your weakness is, and they will exploit that weakness. A study put out by Pure Desire Ministries in June of this year found that 54 percent of professing Christians (no idea what flavor, but generally moral, supposedly Jesus followers) admit to engaging in pornography.

God designed you to procreate. If male and female were not attracted to one another there would be no human beings. But the enemy has snuck in and destroyed what God had righteously programmed us to do. In our modern culture you are programmed from the time you can look at the phone, tablet, or TV. You say my children don’t see any of those things, great!

When I was an Over The Road truck driver, I remember driving through Chicago and on the right side of the road was a billboard for some “gentlemen’s” club with a mostly naked woman so I turned my head and looked as much as I could to the left, the devil had bought up advertising on that side of the road as well.

Coming out of Knoxville TN in Sevierville they had a sign with a young, scantily clad woman placed at an angle that made it difficlut to know what you were even looking at until you were right on top of the sign. Sex sells and the devil makes a killing. But then he brings the shame on you for even looking in that direction and makes you question your salvation.

I’ve heard people offhandedly remark “that stupid devil” no, that’s your problem, he’s not stupid! He’s infinitely smarter than we are and he’s been studying human nature since we’ve been here! The only way we can resist him is through the Spirit!

James 1:15

[15] Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. (ESV)

Hebrews 4:12[12] For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (ESV)

This is where “ha-satan” ties up so many with guilt. But that’s why knowing God’s Word is so important.

Many times people have a thought go through their mind, but what did you do with the thought? I feel that many have misinterpreted Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (ESV)

When David didn’t go out to battle with his army and he stood up there on the roof top, if he had saw Bathsheba out there, said “wow we wow wow”, turned around went back inside and not sent his servant out to get her, no sin would have been committed. The sin is not in the temptation, the sin is in the action!

James 1:16–17

Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. [17] Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. (ESV)

Romans 11:29

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. (ESV)

If there is a shadow between you and God, the shadow didn’t come from God. He doesn’t change; Ephesians 6:13–14

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. [14] Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (ESV)

If there is a shadow between you and the promises of God, you make sure you are doing what you are supposed to be doing on your end, and be truthful with yourself.

Don’t be ridiculous with yourself! Yes, we should all have fasted 30 days last month and read and studied for at least 23 hours a day, I’m being extreme, but this is about how we treat ourselves sometimes. Are you walking in the light He has given you? Kill anyone lately? Commit adultery lately? Worship any other gods lately? Go down the list, there’s 10 of them. If you are not walking in rebellion to God, stand fast soldier! Your trial will end. The shadow will pass, the end of the trial will come.

James 1:18

[18] Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. (ESV)

John 1:13

[13] who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (ESV)

I want to close this episode with this scripture. It was spoken to Israel in another time, for another purpose, but it holds true for each individual that is willing to walk in His paths today;

Jeremiah 29:11–12

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. [12] Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. (ESV)