From Lust to Sin to Death James 1:15

James, “the servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ”, wrote to the “twelve tribes” who were “scattered” and told them to not “say” they are “tempted of God” when they are “tempted”. He declared, “God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts he any man”. He further explained “every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed”, and in chapter one and verse fifteen of his letter, James shared how “lust” brings “forth sin”, and “sin brings forth death” where we read:

Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin:

and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death.

The verse begins, “Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin:” James began with the words, “then when lust” which means “next and after desire, craving and longing for that which is forbidden” “has conceived” or “seized, taken one as a prisoner”, “it brings forth” which means “bears, produces and delivers” “sin” which is the Greek word “hamartia ” and means “to miss the mark, to err and be mistaken”. When people allow their “cravings and desires for that which is forbidden” to flourish, it produces “missing the mark” of perfection before God.

The verse goes on to say, “and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death.” James continued, “and sin” or “to miss the mark, to err and be mistaken” “when it is finished” which means “perfected, brought quite to an end and accomplished”, “brings forth” or “produces, breeds and begets” “death” which refers to “that which separates from life and the soul and the body by which the life on earth is ended”. Once the “lust” of people has “imprisoned” them, the end result is not only “physical death”, but also separation from life with God.

When we consider these words of James, we understand the seriousness of “unbridled lusts”. When our “cravings and desires” for that which is “forbidden” has fully “conceived” we subject ourselves to the end result of “death”. This is why we need Jesus in our lives. “Sin” separates us from “God”, and without a “Savior and Lord”, we will not only “die” physically, but our “souls and spirits” will also die as well. We will be “eternally separated” from God if we do nothing about our “conceived sin”. May God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ reveal our need for Him, and may He help us to know and put away our “lust” for things which He has forbidden.

Next time James tell his “beloved brethren” no to “err”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Tempted by His Own Lust James 1:14

James, “the servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ”, told his readers not to “say when” they are “tempted” that they are “tempted of God”. He told them “God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts he any man”. In chapter one and verse fourteen of his letter, James declared “every man is tempted” by their “own lust” where we read:

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

The verse begins, “But every man is tempted,...” James began with the word, “But” which is a disassociation conjunction which means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was previously stated, “every man” or “each and any person whether male or female” “is tempted” which means “tried and made trial of for the purpose of ascertaining his quality, what he thinks or how he will behave”. James set up the reason that every person is “tested” with “trials”.

The verse goes on to say, “...when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” James continued, “when he is drawn away” or “lured like as in hunting or fishing for game and allured from the safety of self-restraint to sin” “of his own lust” which means “ one's own and pertaining to and belonging to one's self”, “lust” which means “concupiscence, desire and craving for what is forbidden”“and enticed” or “caught by a bait, entrapped and beguiled by blandishments and deceptions”. The “bait” or “lure” for sinful behavior is “one's own cravings and desires”.

When we meditate upon these words of James, we understand God is not the origin for our “temptations”, we are. Each person has an area or areas where they “crave and desire” that “which is forbidden”. When we allow those “cravings” and “lusts” to fully develop, we are lured into sinful behavior. Jesus Christ came not only to “forgive us” for our sins, but also to “cleanse us from all unrighteousness”. (1 John 1:9) Our part is to “confess” our sins, and we should begin by knowing and admitting our “own lusts”. May the Lord lead us to obey Him and turn from our sinful desires.

Next time James declares how “conceived lust” “brings forth sin”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Not Tempted of God James 1:13

As James, “the servant of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ”, continued to share with “the twelve tribes scattered abroad”, he encouraged them with the idea of the “man that endures temptation” is “blessed”. Those who are “tried” “shall receive the crown of life” which “the Lord has promised “to them that love him”. In chapter one and verse thirteen of his letter, James told his readers that no man who is “tempted” should say “I am tempted of God” where we read:

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God:

for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts he any man:

The verse begins, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God:” James began with the words, “Let no man say” which is the Greek phrase “legō mēdeis legō” and means “do not allow, speak, affirm, maintain or teach any person whether male or female” “when he is tempted” or “tried, made trial of for the purpose of ascertaining his quality, what he thinks or how he will behave”, “I am tempted” which means “tried, made trial of for the purpose of ascertaining his quality, what he thinks or how he will behave” “of God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. When people go through “trials” and “temptations” they should not “ascertain” this is God's directive.

The verse continues, “for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts he any man:” James added, “for God” which means “because, since and on account of the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “cannot be tempted” which means “in no way and not liable to temptation to sin” “with evil” or “of a bad nature, not such as it ought to be, wrong, wickedness, troublesome, injurious, pernicious, destructive and baneful”, “neither tempts” which means “tries, makes trial of for the purpose of ascertaining his quality, what he thinks or how he will behave” “he any man” or “not any person whether man or woman”. “God cannot” sin, and therefore there is no way for him to “tempt” people “with evil”.

When we think through these words of James, we should associate no “trial” or “temptation”as originating with “God”. God is holy, and His Son Jesus is holy, and neither of them does “evil” or encourages others to do so. Jesus Christ desires for everyone to “come unto” Him, and as they do, they should never associate difficulties and testings as “evil” sent by God. We, who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, are His children, and the reasons for “temptations” and “trials” is to allow us to realize our own status in Him.

Next time James shares why a person is really “tempted”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookst

The Man that Endures Temptation James 1:12

After exhorting the people of “low degree” to rejoice in that they are “exalted” and “the rich” in that “they are made low”, in chapter one and verse twelve of his letter, James, the “servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ”, turned his attention toward the blessing pronounced upon the “man that endures temptation” where we read:

Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried,

he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to them that love him.

The verse begins, “Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life,...” James began with the word, “Blessed” or “Oh how happy” “is the man” which refers to “a person whether male or female” “that endures” or “who remains, abides, does not recede and perseveres through” “temptation” which means “an experiment, attempt, trial and proving”: “for when he is tried” or “because when his is accepted, pleasing and approved”, “he shall receive” which means “take, collect, select, obtain, gain and get” “the crown” which literally means “a mark of royal or exalted rank such as the wreath or garland given as a prize to victors in public games” and metaphorically means “the eternal blessedness which will be given as a prize to the genuine servants of God and Christ which is the reward of the righteous” “of life” which means “the absolute fullness of life both essential and ethical which belongs to God”.

The verse goes on to say, “...which the Lord has promised to them that love him.” James added, “which the Lord” who is “he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah” “has promised” which means “announced, furnished and professed” “to them that love” “to persons who welcome, are fond of and love dearly” him” which refers to “the Lord”. God has a provided “guaranteed” promise of a “royal mark of exalted rank” to those who “dearly love” Him.

When we consider these words of James, we should find great hope for “enduring” trials in this life. Our focus must be to “dearly love” the Lord as we go through them and realize He does not observe us in them in vain. We have His personal “guarantee” and “promise” that He will reward those who “rely upon, trust in and cling to” Him in this life. Jesus Christ, God's Son, gave ample provision for us to “identify” with Him in the “suffering” of His death, and when we “endure” them, like unto those who compete in the Olympic games, we shall receive a “crown of life” as our reward.

Next time James shares how God does not “tempt” a person “with evil”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Withering Grass and Flowers James 1:11

James told “the brothers of low degree” to “rejoice” in that they were “exalted”, and “the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away”. In chapter one and verse eleven of his letter, James gave his readers the “withering grass” and “flowers” as examples of the temporary nature of the “rich man” where we read:

For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withers the grass, and the flower thereof falls, and the grace of the fashion of it perishes: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

The verse begins, “For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withers the grass, and the flower thereof falls,...” James began with the words, “For the sun” which means “since, on account of and because the light of the eastern sun” “is no sooner risen” or “arisen and sprung up” “with a burning heat” which means “very dry and hot east wind which scorched and dried up everything”, “but it withers” or “dries up and pines away” “the grass” which means “the place where grass grows and animals graze, herbage, hay and provender”, “and the flower” or “blossoms of the flower” “thereof falls” which means “falls out of, down from or off”. When the heat of the sun comes down upon the “grass and flower” of the fields, they scorch and dry then so their pedals and leaves fall off.

The verse goes on to say, “...and the grace of the fashion of it perishes: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.” James continued, “and the grace” or “goodly appearance, shapeliness, beauty and comeliness” “of the fashion” which means “face, countenance, look and appearance” “of it” which refers to the “grass and flower” “perishes” which means “destroys, loses, abolishes, puts to an end to ruin and render useless”: “so also” or “even, indeed, then and therefore” “shall the rich man” which means “the wealthy, abounding in material resource and abundantly supplied” “fade away” or “extinguish, render arid, make to waste away, consume and have a miserable end” “in his ways” which means “his journeys, purposes, pursuits and undertakings”. All the beauty of the “flowers and grass” of the fields “perishes” quickly in the heat of the sun, and so shall it be with those who are “rich” in material possessions in this world.

When we think through these words of James, we realize how temporary are the “riches” of the wealthy in this world. No matter how “rich” a person may be, he shall leave everything he has when he dies. The idea is that the “rich” person should “rejoice” when he is made “low” or humbled because this will keep him reminded of the impermanent nature of this world's “wealth”. Jesus Christ came to offer “eternal riches” that will last forever and shall never fade away, and when we accept Jesus as Savior and Lord, we trade the transient for the permanent. May all who read these words take heed.

Next time James shares how the man who “endures temptation” is “blessed”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

The Rich Made Low and Passing Away James 1:10

After exhorting the “twelve tribes which are scattered abroad” concerning the “faith” they were to have in trials, James encouraged the “brother of low degree” to “rejoice in that he is exalted”. In chapter one and verse ten of his letter, James turned his attention toward those who are “rich” in this world. We read:

But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

The verse begins, “But the rich, in that he is made low:” James began with the word, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated, “the rich” which refers to “a wealthy person who is abounding in material resources”, “in that he” which refers to the “rich” person“is made low” which means “of low estate, abased, made little and humbled”. Those who are “rich” in this world's goods are to “rejoice” when they are “humbled” before the Lord.

The verse goes on to say, “because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.” James added, “because” or “that, since and on account of” “as the flower” which means “the blossom of flowers” “of the grass” or “grazing fields, herbage, hay, provender, green grass and growing crops” “he shall pass away” which means “pass by, perish and move forward”. The “rich” person should realize their status and means are temporary in this world because before they know it, they shall be here no more.

When we consider these words of James, we realize the temporary nature of the “riches” of this world. Sometimes “riches” elevate people in their own minds to believe themselves to be “just a little bit better” than those who do not have means. James exhorted his “rich” readers to “rejoice” when they are “humbled” before the Lord, and this easily happens when they realize all things are truly the Lord's, and He can distribute them as He wills. The “rich” “shall pass way” like the “grass and flower” of the field which explains why it is important to know that only through a relationship with Jesus Christ can he or she be truly eternally “rich”. May all who read these words take heed.

Next time James shares how the “sun” affects the “grass”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

An Unstable Double Minded Man James 1:8

James, “the servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ”, told his readers “not to think” they “shall receive any thing of the Lord” if they ask for the “wisdom of God” in a “doubting” or “wavering” manner. In chapter one and verse eight of his letter, James shared concerning the “unstable” “double minded man” where we read:

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

The verse begins, “A double minded man...” James began with the phrase, “a double minded” which is the Greek word “dipsychos” and means “varying, wavering, uncertain, doubting and divided in interest” “man” or “human being whether male or female”. James referred to the wishy-washy divided mind of the person who doubts.

The verse continues, “...is unstable in all his ways.” James added, “is unstable” or “inconstant and restless” “in all” which means “in each, every, any, the whole, with everyone and everything” “his ways” or “his travels, journey, course of conduct, thinking, feeling and deciding”. The “double minded” person is “restless, fickle and volatile” in everything they think or do.

When we think through these words of James, we should never be like this “double minded man”. We must not doubt and vacillate between hope and fear when we call upon the Lord for His “wisdom”. We must be people of “faith” and “assurance” that what God has promised, He will do. This is the reason everyone who hears the gospel of Jesus Christ must make a decision concerning their relationship with Him. Jesus died for the sin of all the world, and He is willing for everyone to repent and come unto Him, however, whether they are receiving Him as Savior and Lord or asking for His “wisdom”, they must be “single minded” in their requests.

Next time James shares about “the brother of low degree”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.