©lightwritingmatters 2015

Theme Scripture: --James 4:17 “Therefore, if one knows how to do what is right and yet does not do it, it is a sin for him.”

Theme Scripture Chapter One: “So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.” – James 1:16

To the body of Chapter One: 

Reader, please be diligent in your study of the HOLY BIBLE. Please always make sure you have context and not opinion. From verses 13 through 15 the topic of temptation is discussed. You should not only read it but do a little digging to look at the original language and meanings of words. There are many resources you can use. One that is very generous in resources is blueletterbible.org. It has several translations and versions of the Bible to use as references. Also, the tools tab next to each verse opens up to include an interlinear, with Strong’s and Thesaurus entries. You can also select several text commentaries from Bible students familiar with the languages of the Bible through the ages. Not all commentaries are the complete Bible but some are and are most thorough.

Having said that, I will trust that you have read James 1:13-15 and are now ready to move on. 

James continues the topic of who to assign ‘temptations’ to with this admonition: “So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.” The word misled [in vs 16] is translated from ‘deceived’ or ‘led to error’. If you are familiar with your Bible, deception is a dominant theme especially in the Greek/New Testament portion of the Word. In fact, it is the FIRST sign Jesus gave HIS inquiring followers in Matthew as to what signs to look for as to HIS return. “And Jesus answering said to them, 'Take heed that no one may lead you astray,” –Matt 24:4 The phrase ‘lead you astray’ is ‘deceive’ in Greek. Here is the same verse literally using the correct word from the King James. “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.”

So why this strong exhortation from James: “So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.” It is a transitional statement with admonition. Previously he explains that GOD does not ‘tempt’ us NOR can HE be tempted or ‘tested’. Think about that. Just for a second. What kind of a Sovereign GOD would we worship if someone could try and put one over on HIM with any sort of trickery? For example look at the first 2 chapters of Job. Satan and GOD and Job all caught up in just this sort of thing. Was GOD tempted by Satan to let him use Job to show Satan could turn anyone against GOD even HIS most devoted person of the time? Not only was it not a surprise to GOD, nor was HE tempted, HE gave the devil permission to bring it on but with one stipulation, satan could not kill Job. GOD already knew how the entire event would turn out and instead of the slanderer succeeding he was bested by a true man of GOD. AND that was despite the efforts of so called ‘friends’ and Job’s wife who kept insisting he had done something to be suffering as he was. No! GOD cannot be tempted nor does HE tempt. 

Vs 16 is a behest to consider the evidence James then sets out in verses 17-18 and then gives closing thoughts to this topic in vs 19-20.

 Loving God Under Trials

“17 every good giving, and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the lights, with whom is no variation, or shadow of turning; 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.”

If we understand, truly get it down in our hearts and definitely in our spirit, that GOD only wants us to succeed in our walk/life with GOD by showering us with light – not darkness – HE created us by HIS own Word and the scripture says a ‘kind of firstfruits’ of HIS creation. Salvation was the end goal for HIS creation. James gives GOD’s Will the credit of ‘truth’ that we might be a kind of firstfruits. 

Qualities Needed in Trials

19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

This is another conclusion on the temptation theme. First we learn not to blame GOD as though our mistakes were a test from GOD or that GOD could be tricked into being tested HIMself. Then we learn to be careful not to be misled/deceived. And who is better at deceiving us than ourselves? We surely need no help. Now we see what qualities we must adopt that assists in NOT deceiving ourselves: be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath. For some of us we can listen and not talk but many of us certainly grow upset with what we are hearing thus we are admonished to ‘BE SLOW TO WRATH!’

Remember to examine your BIBLE daily! Examine is not a passive exercise. In essence, it means to ‘study’ something to best understand it.

We will finish chapter One with the next installment July 19, 2023

©lightwritingmatters 2015