DebChats

Q2. (3:7-8) Read Matthew 12:34 and 15:18. In light of these verses, why is the tongue untamable? In order to tame the tongue, one must renew the mind, which renews the heart, which renews what we say and how we say something. It takes a lot of effort, time and constant awareness. The tongue is not truly untamable, but it is a difficult process getting the tongue to speak blessings only and I can surely understand why a man that has taught himself to speak as God speaks, would be considered 'perfect or mature'. What has to happen before it can be tamed? The mind must be renewed in the things of God.

Q1. (3:1-2) Why does James discourage people from aspiring to be teachers of the Word? I don't think James is trying to discourage anyone from aspiring to be a teacher of the Word, as much as he is trying to encourage anyone to become a doer of the Word, and not just a talker. Why is greater strictness appropriate? I find bridling the tongue to be one of the hardest things a person can do .. we are such creatures of habit before becoming Christians. Everything depends on the spoken Word .. everything and everyone. We cannot preach one thing and do another. Should you set higher standards for your pastor than you do for yourself? Hmmm, good question. But in the end, we are all responsible for ourselves. No, I don't think we should set a higher standard for anyone than we do ourselves.

Q4. (2:20-26) How does James' point about the necessity of works jive with Paul's emphasis on salvation by grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-10)? We are not Christians because we pray .. but we do pray because we are Christians. We are not Chrisitians because we feed the hungry or clothe the poor, however we feed the hungry and clothe the poor because we are Christians.

Q3. (2:18-19) What is the difference between the "belief" of a demon and the "belief" of a practicing Christian? When a demon believes, they do not step out in faith to affirm that there is a God. They do believe in God, but they put no relevance to that belief. A Christian will be relevant in their belief. They believe and they do. The "belief" of a non-practicing Christian? Doesn't seem to me that there is much of a difference in a non-practicing Christian and the beliefs of a demon.

Q2. (2:15-16) To what degree are we responsible for the poor and needy in the church community? It is definitely breaking the commandment of Jesus (Loving our neighbor as ourselves), and it is the same as standing idly by while another person goes without, when we may have the supplies to meet their needs. How about our responsibility for those outside the church, in the community at large? It is a wonderful witness to do for others and give Jesus all the glory (since it is His anyhow). However, feeding, clothing, etc. and witnessing must go hand in hand. As I heard one preacher say "it would do no good to give someone a biscuit and some milk, on their way to hell".

Q1. (2:14-18) In what sense is faith dead if it is unaccompanied by action? Anything not worked or cared for will die. Anything left unattended or unkempt will eventually die out. We must work our faith. I love how Dr. Wilson put it .. Faith comes FROM God .. lives FOR God .. and is energized (kept alive) BY God Himself. In what sense might (if that were possible) it be alive? It is alive every time we put action to our belief. We are saved by faith. There are many people that believe but take no steps to get saved. I believed about Jesus all my life .. but did not get saved until I was 38. Getting saved was me putting into action.

Q4. (2:13b) In what way is showing regard towards the wealthy (2:2-3) a denial of mercy? When we judge wrongly, we set limits upon another. Mercy does not set limits. Mercy is like a constant flow. Extra credit: Read Hosea 6:6; Matthew 5:7; and 9:13. Hosea 6:6 and Matthew 5:7, 9:13, tells us that mercy must be given to be received. God demands mercy over sacrifice. His mercy is greater than our sin. In what way does mercy "triumph over" (NIV, RSV, NASB) or "rejoice against" (KJV) judgment? Mercy frees, judgment limits. What does this mean? This means that even when one is judging and one is not .. the one giving mercy will have more influence than the one giving judgement.

Q3. (2:9-11) Why does James refer to the Great Commandment as the

Q2. (2:4) In what way does favoritism make one a judge? When we show favoritism, we are telling others who is worthy of our attention and who is not, and this can make an impression on those that witness our favoritism. Jesus treated everyone as worthy. How does favoritism make one a judge with

Q1. (2:1-3) What kind of person or what kind of sinner do you tend to discriminate against? I tend to discriminate against the rich or the bold or the confident or those that seem to be in control or have power working on their behalf. Just about the opposite of what James was speaking of .. the discrimination against a poor man .. I battle being discriminate against the rich man. What kind of people are you (or your church) trying to make a good impression on? I fight trying to impress my boss. I have to remind myself constantly that I work for God and God only and He is the only one I have to impress.

Q4. (1:26-27) Why does James make taming the tongue and caring for the poor the prime tests of pure religion? I once heard Charles Capps say that our tongues are like unto a small rudder that can navigate a huge ship. Our tongues will decide where we are going in this life and what we can expect. Why not the quality of our quiet time or worship? Pure religion is about the heart (love). Quiet time and worship is wonderful, but incomplete unless we do as Jesus commanded us to do .. love the Lord God with our entire being and love others as we love ourselves.

Q3. What is this "perfect law" that James mentions? To love others as we love ourselves .. giving respect and attention to others in an equal manner. Not loving according to how we are treated .. or loving according to another's reputation and social acceptance .. or loving according to how we are feeling at the time .. but loving constantly and equally, all the brethen. How would you define it? Unconditional love. How does it relate to the "royal law" (2:8)? It is the same. In what sense does it bring liberty? It frees us from sin against our neighbors. We will be less likely to sin against our brother, if we are doing as the Word says .. Love one another as you love yourself.

Q2. (1:22) Why are we so easily fooled into thinking that listening to Bible teaching means that we are living out righteous lives? There are a multitude of ways to be fooled into thinking that by listening to a Bible teaching, or going to church, or doing a Bible study (hehe), or being a leader for Christ, (ETC) .. Can lead us to believe that we have become righteous due to our acts. That is why we always ALWAYS! need the Lord to lead us and guide us .. even in our endeavors that we do to become better Christians. We can ONLY become better Christians when Christ is our leader. Thank You Jesus. What is the nature of the self-deception Self-deception is what we fall into when we are desperate to feel good about ourselves and our actions. Self-deception is born of fear and ignorance.

Q1. (1:18) In what sense are we given spiritual birth by the "word of truth"? When God speaks His Word, His Word becomes truth. There is no other truth but that which is spoken by God. A spiritual birth becomes a reality for us as individuals, when we accept this truth (God's spoken Word) as our own, bringing life into our spirits. What does spiritual life have to do with the Word? The spirit is reliant upon the Word, for both growth and survival. The Word is food for our spirits. Simply reading or hearing the Word of God, once a week (Sunday) will not nourish our spirits. We must have the Word before us at all times. A spiritual life is attained when we live our lives by faith, (rather than by our surroundings and circumstances).

Q4. (1:5-8) What is the promise to claim in verse 5? That if we ask God for wisdom, He will be sure to give us wisdom. Wisdom attained is up to us as individuals. What is the condition attached to this promise in verse 6? That we must ask in faith. Never doubting, if we want to attain wisdom. How do trials help us receive this wisdom? Trials give us a different view of ourselves. They bring out the best and/or the worst in us. We must get wise or we get defeated by the trial.

Q3. (1:5-8) How do trials help cure us of "doublemindedness"? Doublemindedness robs us of the joy and truth of God's Word and is not conclusive. Trials will force us to think differently and come to a conclusion. In my own Christian walk, being in doubt or uncertainty concerning God and His Word, always results in pain .. Whether that pain be physical, emotional, or spiritual. If we want releif, we MUST develop singlemindedness in God's Word. How do trials help us grow in faith? I believe trials force us to think and seek. We go through life, accepting and embracing certain beliefs, thoughts, and truths as our own. We decide what is true and what is not true, what we believe and what we refute as truth. We choose and decide these truths with our senses .. what we see, what we feel, what we taste, what we hear, what we can touch. Trials interrupt and abolish these self-made truths. We can no longer believe in ourselves. We must reach outside of ourselves for truth.

Q2. (1:13-15) Why do people blame God for evil? Does God tempt us with evil? People blame God because He is God. They think that He can control all and do all and they fail to understand He is a God of His Word and being a God of His Word, He must allow certain things to happen, or He would be working against His own Word and the Word would be of no value. God cannot tempt anyone with evil. Evil is unbelief of God's Word, which results in disobedience or sin. Does he tempt sinful people with evil? It may seem that way to some people, but no way does God tempt the sinful with evil. To be sinful, one must be ignorant of or denying of the Word of God. God can only tempt with goodness. If God were to tempt the sinful with evil, He would then be the one that has made the sinful .. sinful. Why does he allow people to sin? I don't believe He actually allows them to sin. Sin is a pulling away from or separation from God. I don't see how He could force His creation to be obedient and loyal to Him and still claim to be a God of love. He loves us enough to let us choose (as well as the angels). Why does he allow evil to exist at all? I don't believe He allows evil to exist, either. Evil is a result, not a creation. Evil is a result of being our own gods.

Q1. (1:2-4) What value have trials had in your life? I don't see my trials as having any real value until they have accomplished that which I am supposed to come into .. maturity and completion and though I find myelf much more mature and complete than a year ago or so, I find it hard to count it all joy. I will learn to, though. Have you let Satan destroy you with those trials? It sometimes becomes very tempting to sit down and cry or feel sorry for myself and just give up on God and His Word, but then I know there is no other way to go, and I always do pick myself up and dust myself off and carry on .. which gives me the victory. Thank You Jesus. Or allowed God to refine you? Not sure if 'allowed' would be the right word here, but I am becoming refined nonetheless. Again, there is no place to go but forward. How have you changed? I have become much more sure of who I am in Jesus and who Jesus is in me. I have a boldness and confidence that was lacking in my walk with the Lord, and it is still being refined.

Summarize the lessons of this chapter. What are the churches criticized for? They are criticized mostly for getting too caught up in the world and practicing worldy ways. What are they praised for? They are praised for what truths they still hold to .. the truths found in the Word of God. How should these observations shape the twenty-first century Church? It should serve to have the church stop and judge itself to be assured it is pleasing to God.

Why are so many churches a "hotbed of apathy"? Many churches begin with a vision. A person or group of people, envisions how the church is run and where it will be the most effective for the community. These people carry out this vision and the church becomes as they envisioned - This church is both grand and seemingly effective to the masses and to the community. It is a large and grand building that houses hordes of members (some quite elite members) and does great things in their own eyes. Libraries, hospitals, youth-centers, etc do the same thing (Nothing wrong with these buildings, but the church is to be separate). A church should always begin with the leading of the Holy Spirit, and strive to please Jesus, not the masses. How can we combat spiritual apathy and an insipid witness in ourselves? By keeping in mind that even when something appears to be effective and working, it can have grave consequences if not putting God first. Put aside ourselves and our visions and earnestly ask God to both guide and lead us in all matters .. Especially the church.

Why do you think the religious compromise required by participating in heathen religious practices in the trade guilds was so spiritually destructive? Religious compromise breaks all ten of the commandments given to us by God,and nothing remains sacred or sanctified. The ten commandments are basic laws set forth by God to all of His followers, both of the old covenant and the new covenant. These commandments do not hinder one's life, on the contrary, if they are kept and followed, they enhance our lives. To break these laws result in a number of problems and is the pathway to death and destruction. To compromise would be to give in to the flesh and starve the spirit (and we are to do the opposite). To compromise, keeps us carnally minded and spiritually ignorant. What compromises do twenty-first century Christians struggle with? The same compromises that existed in the OT, exist today (with the exception of a very very few) and that is why we must stay in the Word of God, to avoid the same mistakes and the practice of sin, that were a part of history. Though we are no longer under the Mosaic or Levitical laws, the ten commandments are to be the basis of living for all people. Let's not settle for trite legalisms about drinking and smoking. What are the real compromises that dilute vital Christianity? The real compromises that confront most Christians today is a false doctrine. There are many false doctrines and false teachings that cripple, maim, and hinder today's Christian. We must learn to walk by faith and not by sight.

Why would loosening of sexual standards to conform to the prevailing morals of the culture be destructive of vital Christian faith and witness? We are sanctified (set-apart from the world) by God when we confess Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives. Loosening of sexual standards results in adultery and sometimes idolatry (as well as countless other problems as can be seen in the world today). Any disobedience on the Christian's part will result in destruction of the Christian's faith and the witness for Christ ceases to exist. How has your culture tended to take the edge off your own Christian moral convictions or forced you to be quiet about them? My son and his girlfriend (the two live together and have a young son) came recently for a visit. Knowing and wanting to obey the Word of God .. I had to let them both know they could not sleep together in my home. I was tempted to be forced into letting them do as they please, due to the world's encouragement of living together without a marriage license and due to the lack of understanding my son and his girlfriend have where the Word of God is concerned. The world has a way of making a Christian feel 'petty or silly' in their beliefs and convictions. (Hence, our need to overcome.)

How can a local congregation lose its "first love" for Jesus? A congregation can lose it's love by getting too heavily involved in programs, works, etc. There are churches that contribute a great deal to the community, yet Jesus receives little if any of the glory of such works. Works are essential to the Christian, yet we can never forget who gets the glory, praise, and honor. Congregations can get caught up in the programs and running the church efficiently and beneficially .. Slowly removing themselves from the Word of God and reinstating themselves in the affairs of the church. What are the signs of genuine love for Jesus in worship and ministry? The best sign of genuine love for Jesus is obedience to His Word. The love Jesus speaks of in this warning to the church of Ephesus, is not an emotional love so much, but an act of faith. A church that studies and abides in the Word of God will be a church that has genuine love for Jesus. This love will permeate everything the church touches on .. Worship, praise, ministry, etc. How does the lack of love show up? A lack of love shows up when we cast aside the Word of God in favor of our experiences, or another person's experiences. When we begin to believe 'the experience' over 'the Word', the lack of love is obvious. How can a congregation regain this love? A congregation can always 'repent' (God if faithful to forgive) and turn again to the Word of God.

This affirms Eph. 5:23 and other passages as well, that describe Jesus as 'head of the church'. The church must seek Jesus and let Him lead the church (not doctrine, nor people, nor money, nor programs, etc.). When the church puts Jesus first and seeks Him earnestly and diligently and is obedient to His Word, only then will the church have success.

In 1:10, John makes it clear he is seeing Jesus in 'the spirit'. Those who knew and saw 'Jesus the Carpenter-Teacher' were seeing Him in the flesh and He was not yet resurrected in His glory. For me it evokes a glorious and splendid Being, a radiating personality. To truly understand the divine nature of Jesus, one must know Him as God. To truly understand Jesus as our caretaker and brethen, we must know Him as man. There are countless religions practicing today that do not have this balance. Christianity alone depends on this balance.