Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi
The Epistle of James: A Blogged Bible Study
July 3 James 4:11 – 5:6 Lose Selfish Desires
So, after an exhortation to check the sources for our desires, James gives some examples of selfish desires; desires that arise when our 'self' or the world system is the source of our desires.
I) Desire to be Morally/Intellectually Superior to Others (4:11 – 12)
Brothers, do not slander one another (v. 11, NIV)
'Slander' - the utterance of a defamatory statement injurious to the reputation or well-being of a person (New American Heritage)
This is non-constructive criticism; using words as weapons against another person with intent to do them harm in some fashion, thus winning a sort of battle and being shown to be superior to the opponent. It's putting others down in an attempt to make oneself seem better.
Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it– The Greek word used is krino, which means judging, divide, separate, made a distinction, come to a decision, to adjudge to punishment, condemn
Now, a word about judgment. Judgment is not something that determines the rightness or wrongness of someone's actions. That's what laws do. If the law says the speed limit is 45 miles per hour, and I drive 60, I have broken the law. That's not a judgment, that's a fact. Now, I may have been driving faster than the speed limit because I had a bleeding child in the back seat and I was trying to get to the ER as quickly as possible. 'You exceeded the speed limit' is a fact. 'You are a selfish impatient person and a bad driver to boot' is a judgment.
Judgment is what happens when we make a determination about the content of someone's heart or their worth to God based on what we can observe about them. This is why we are so strictly instructed not to judge; what is observable is not the whole story. Only God knows true motives; only God can judge rightly.
There may be times when individuals require discipline from those in authority in the local body. Even then, such discipline should be issued in love and without judgment. That's tough and painful for all involved, but in God's grace it is possible.
II) Desire to be Fully in Control of One’s Own Destiny (4:13-17)
Bragging and/or boasting about one's future, one's plans and the expected outcome shows a lack of submissionto God’s leadership. The truth is, none of us know what will happen tomorrow.
We must recognize the Lord’s hand in all things – that His hand IS in all things. Anything else is pride. Specifically, if we know to do something good (like submit every day to God’s leadership) and we don’t do it, it is sin (Origin of the concept of 'sins of omission')
The plain truth is that we do not have final authority over our own lives, and trying to be our own ultimate authority leads only to trouble.
III) Desire to Hoard Wealth and Live in Pleasure (5:1-6)
Treasures rotted; clothes moth-eaten; money rusted – all that happens to goods that are stored, tucked away, unused...hoarded. Things that not only do no good for needy folk, but even do no good for those that posess them.
Two witnesses are recorded against folks who hoard – the wages that had not been paid to their workers, and the workers themselves. This desire for comfort, pleasure and personal wealth keeps folks oblivious to God's ultimate authority, condemning innocent people as unworthy of the 'lifestyle of the rich and famous'...passing judgment.
Wealth is given to us to use for God, not to stow away for our own comfort or pleasure...and should never be obtained at the personal cost of others.
Things to think about:Who have I slandered – to others, to God, or to myself? How have I usurped God’s authority to judge? What plans am I making right now that do not take into account God’s will for my life? What resources has God given to me to use in the kingdom? How am I using them? What am I keeping back for myself?
The study to date:
May 1: Study intro
May 8: James 1:1 Intro to the Epistle of James
May 15: James 1:2 – 18 Make Quality Decisions
May 22: James 1:19-27 Make Real Changes
May 29: James 2:1-13 Live the Law of Freedom
June 5: James 2:14 – 26 Demonstrate Real Faith
June 12: James 3: 1 - 12 Discipline the Tongue
June 26: James 3:13 - 18 Recognize True Wisdom
June 29 James 4:1 – 10 Check Your Sources
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