The following are points of emphasis from our study of the Book of James (Chapter 3):
1. False teachers will receive a strict judgment.
2. Teachers of the truth will receive reward.
3. The human condition brings about stumbling (offending God).
4. The spiritually mature are able to control their tongue.
5. Like fire, sinful words spread rapidly.
6. Like smoke, sinful words bring collateral damage.
7. Only God can tame the tongue.
8. The tongue evidences sinful hypocrisy, both blessing and cursing.
9. Taming the tongue thwarts this hypocrisy.
10. Wisdom and understanding must be shown by good conduct.
11. Good conduct flows from meekness (gentleness) rather than from arrogance.
12. Arrogance produces bitter envy and a resentful attitude toward others.
13. The seeking of self interest produces strife.
14. Wisdom that is self-centered is not from God.
15. Wisdom that is self-centered creates selfish ambition.
16. Wisdom that is self-centered is not enduring.
17. Wisdom that is self-centered proves worthless.
18. Wisdom that is God-centered is evidenced by action that is --
a. Pure (spiritual integrity);
b. Peaceable (peace promoting);
c. Gentle (sweet reasonableness; patient humility);
d. Yielding (obedience to God's standards);
e. Merciful (compassion; empathy; forgiveness); and
f. Impartial (unwavering in commitment and conviction, done without distinction).
19. Salvation results in good works.
20. Righteousness flourishes in the climate of spiritual peace.
John Dee Spicer
Arkivi i blogut
About Me
I started the Daily Journal in 2000. I sent it as an email to a few friends (it was a round number, either 10 or 20, I can't remember exactly). It has grown over the years, primarily due to those original few forwarding it to others. During this time, I have journaled through Genesis, selected Psalms, the Gospel of John, Acts, Romans, Galatians, Hebrews, and Peter's letters. (These are the books I can remember for sure this morning, anyway.) I don't have seminary training and don't claim to have special wisdom. Rather, I simply desire that others develop a love for God's word. There is only one interpretation for any Bible passage, and I will rely on the wisdom of scholars through the ages (at least those at my disposal) to help with that one interpretation. I will also attempt some practical application. Somewhere along the way I started sharing some funny things my kids would say, and this became known as "Heard 'Round the House." I will continue to share these priceless nuggets as my kids provide material. The "Daily" Journal is a bit of a misnomer, since I only do it Monday through Thursday. I don't do it on Friday because I attend a 6 am Bible Study. I don't do it on the weekends because so many received it at work (I may revise this approach since I have gone to the "Blog" format). I do read my Bible on a daily basis, and strongly recommend a chronilogical daily Bible - you will read the Bible completely each year, and the events unfold in a historical fashion.
