Devotional: James 3:1-12

by | Mar 26, 2023 | devotional, James | 0 comments

Devotional: James 3:1-12

Reflection

Psalm 34:11-15

  • (Psa 34:11 ESV) Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
  • (Psa 34:12 ESV) What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?
  • (Psa 34:13 ESV) Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.
  • (Psa 34:14 ESV) Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
  • (Psa 34:15 ESV) The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.

 

Discussion

Self control is hard, isn’t it?  Making yourself do anything is a challenge, especially in the beginning.  A friend of mine recently had some dental work done and could not drink sodas for several days per the dentist’s instructions.  She said, “I have never craved a Dr. Pepper so bad in my life.”  Why?  Because they said you can’t have this right now.  Is this why diets fail so often and gym memberships are something you only pay for, but not really use?

 

As fallen humans we are corrupt.  Maybe we don’t like to think about that, but we are.  From the time we are conceived we are tainted by sin that can only be covered by the blood of Christ.  Every single one of us.  That makes the struggle very real when we know we are called to live one way and the flesh drags us into the opposite.  We know we should do these things, but we struggle everyday not just to do those, but to avoid the opposite perils.  I think this passage from Proverbs can be a help to the struggle we are all so familiar with.

Connection

Are the Scriptures something you find strength in during hard times?

 

Why or why not?

 

How do the words we speak reflect our love of God?

 

How can investing your time in the Scriptures change your outlook, habits, and desires from the inside out?

 

Expansion

The Scriptures

The Bible is the inspired Word of God given to His people and revealed by the Holy Spirit.  It is complete and without error in its content and given to individual believers with the intent of instructing them in who God is and transforming their lives according to His will.

Exodus 24:4, 1 Thes 2:13,2 Peter 1:19-21, John 17:13-17, 1 Cor 2:7-15, 1 John 2:20, John 16:12-13, Deuteronomy 4:2, Ps 19:7, Isa 40:8, Matthew 24:35, Luke 21:33, John 10:35, Matthew 5:18, Luke 24:44, Exodus 24:7, Deuteronomy 4:1, Ps 119:9-16, Acts 17:11, 2 Timothy 3:14-17, Hebrews 4:12, Matthew 5:19, Romans 15:4, Colossians 3:16, Romans 16:25-27

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