James 1:21-27 "Living the Word"

Read James 1:21-27.

"Therefore,...." NIV

Okay, here is that time where we see "therefore" and need to ask, What is it "there for?" God has just instructed us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry because anger does not lead us into a righteous life. So how do we please God with our life? What are we to do?

First, we make a choice to put off moral filth and evil. You may say, "but I'm not morally filthy or evil." Are you? Have you examined your life lately and matched it up to the standards of God? His Word is our moral compass; His life our example. We will never be able to match it exactly, but are we even close? The enemy of lies is cunning and slick. He leads us into areas of compromise that we would initially say we would never enter. But because we go there inch by inch instead of mile by mile, we don't seem to notice the subtle changes we are allowing into our life until it is too late and we are fully enmeshed in a habit, relationship, or philosophy that is contrary to the Word of God. Take inventory -- how's your house looking?

We should regularly take a hard look at our life and see if we have let any compromise creep in. But the rest of this passage gives us a way to avoid desiring the things of this world. James tells us to live out the Word that has been placed in us. That can have two meanings....Jesus is the Word and the written Word of God. Once we have received Jesus into our hearts, our desire is to live for Him, right? Well, that's the goal. But with the bombardment of the enemy's temptations to indulge self, we must diligently be on our guard against slipping into old habits and desires. Our focus should be on His Word. Learn who Jesus is so you can live as He lived. Study His Word and life. Hide His words in your heart. Then emulate His actions. That's why James says that you cannot merely read the Word, you must live it. Study and sermons are all good, but they are only a means to an end. The goal is to live as Christ lived. That is the truly righteous life that God desires. Put feet to His Word.

Further Thoughts:

1. Have you been only studying and not living out His Word? What is He calling you to do? We are to live out the Word in the big things and the little things of our life. Make a list of where you need to do better in living the Word.
2. Read James 2:20. (KJV) Search for other passages where we are told that we must live the righteous life beyond just faith. Search "works," "deeds," "actions."

Matthew 26:47-56 "Angels at Your Back"

Read Matthew 26:47-56.

"Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?" NIV

A legion is 3000-6000 men. So twelve legions would be about 36,000 to 72,000 angels. Jesus could have opened the heavens and called down an army to rescue him from the crowd. He also had every right. He had been betrayed by a friend. Not only was he unjustly being arrested, but a friend had turned against him. If justice was to be served, the debate was on Jesus' side. But that was not the Father's will, and Jesus had the strength to stand because He had been with His Father in prayer through the night. This shows us the lengths we must go to for the Father's will to be done. His desires need to be my desires; His plans my plans. I cannot allow anything to stand in the way even if it causes me some pain.

On the other side of that, if Jesus wants to rescue, encourage or send me a message, He has at least 72000 angels to do it. The same Jesus that could call on the hosts of heaven to help Him in the garden can send the angels to minister to me today. He's always got my back. There is no situation I can get myself into where there isn't an army at my disposal. Psalm 91:11-12 says, "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone." That power is promised to us as God's children. What tremendous comfort those words hold. In every situation I face, I can stand. I've got an army at my back led by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Boy, who needs to ever worry?

Further Thoughts:

1. Do a study of angels and see what their jobs are. There are many theories about angels floating around out there. Be sure what you research has Scriptural support.
2. What are you facing right now that could possibly overwhelm you? Surrender it to the Lord. He is not only omnipotent, but has a whole army to work for him. That's bigger than any problem you can throw at Him.

Matthew 10:17-20 "The Words of His Mouth"

Read Matthew 10:17-20.

“…do not worry about what to say or how to say it.” NIV

Being a wordsmith, this is a very difficult one for me to do. I will work and work to get even a conversation worked out in my head before I have it. But Jesus is saying that when we are faced with opposition, we don’t have to worry about the words to say, God will give us those words.

Now this is only going to happen under two conditions 1) we remain in an intimate relationship with the Father 2) we are listening for His voice.

Remaining intimately close to the Lord involves spending time with Him and learning His character. The more we study who He is and what He is about, the better we recognize His words when they come to mind. The enemy will try to interfere. But because we have known the Father, we will know whether or not the words coming to mind line up with who He is. If they don’t, we discard them as foreign and wait on the Lord. God never does anything or directs anyone contrary to His nature. If we learn as much as we can about His nature, we are prepared to discern anything that is not of Him.

Developing the skill of listening for God’s voice takes patience, solitude and silence – and sometimes fasting. It requires resisting the urge to always talk to Him and remaining silent to receive from Him. Sometimes, God remains silent for reason unknown to us but very clear to Him. But according to this verse, when words are needed, He will not fail to deliver.

Usually when we are confronted like the disciples were, the situation is very chaotic. The moment is urgent and the pressure is high. But if we’ve taken the time to exercise and develop our spiritual muscle of listening, we will know what we are to say when we need to say it.

Further Thoughts:

1. Moses needed God’s words to speak through him to get the Hebrews freed from the Egyptians. Read how Moses got to the place of being used by God in Exodus 3:1-4:31.
2. What words did Stephen use when faced by the Sanhedrin in Acts 7:1-53? How are these words given to Stephen differently than Moses received his words?
3. What words did Jesus use against Satan in the desert in Luke 4:1-13?
4. Are you spending enough time in the word to recognize the character of God? If not, commit to more intimate times with our Lord in His Word.
5. Prayer is not a monologue, it’s a conversation and God wants His share of the talking time. Do your prayers tend to be one-sided and full of “give me’s?” Spend more time in worship, praise, and thanksgiving, then in silence. It’s amazing what the Lord will speak to you. Keep a notebook nearby to record His words. When the Almighty Creator of the Universe takes time to talk to us, we should write it down. It must be very important.

Matthew 8:14-17 "With a Word"

Read Matthew 8:14-17.

"When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick." NIV

I am always amazed at the power of the spoken word. It can inspire, praise, destroy, instruct, devastate, or encourage. Words can leave the mouth quickly, but can never return. They begin when we are young and continue till we speak our final words with our last breath. Words can build relationships or divide them forever.

And then there is the power of the words of Christ. They surpass all power that we could ever manufacture with our words. The awesome point, however, is that with Christ living in us, we are given that same power. He even said that we will do greater things than He has done. How is that? It sure doesn't seem like we do. Maybe it's because we are not deliberate with our words. Maybe it's because we are constantly fighting that human nature that wants to use words to our own advantage. Either way, if we submit to the Holy Spirit's guidance, wouldn't our words have a power beyond anything we have ever experienced?

I know I've experienced moments like that -- times where I knew that the Lord was giving me the words to say, and they were having a powerful impact either influencing someone else's life or through healing. Those are amazing experiences and how I would love for them to happen more often. Of course, I'm the only one standing in the way. Once again, we come to surrender, humility, and listening. Humbling myself moment by moment in His presence, opening my "ears" to the Lord's leading and using my words for His glory. Then His power will flow through me for His honor. Lord, let the healing words flow.

Further Thoughts:

1. If Jesus is considered the Word, then doesn't His dwelling in my life change my words? If not, why? (See John 1:1)
2. God gave Moses words to speak that caused amazing things. What were they? What was the irony of Moses using words? If you are feeling that your words are very inadequate, Moses will show you how God can use anyone for His work.
3. Why is humility so important in using words for God's ministry? Read Mark 9:14-29. Why couldn't the disciples cast out the demon?
4. Are your words filled with love, thankfulness, and encouragement, or grumbling and hatefulness? It's a heart issue. (Read Philippians 2:1-16.) Surrender.
5. What is the relationship between thanksgiving and the heart of words we choose to use each day? Support with Scripture.

Ephesians 6:17b "Sword Fight!"

"...and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." NIV

Now here is where my armor goes on the offense. In fact, this is the only non-defensive piece that He gives us -- His Word. We have a force so powerful right in our hands, and it's a book. It makes me smile. How many people hate to read. Instead they'd rather be working out, playing video games, watching movies, partying, playing sports, building their career. If they'd only read and listen, they'd have the greatest weapon available.

The Word of God can bring down men or build them up. It can defeat nations and heal diseases. The Word of God brought the world into being and will bring it to an end. The enemy cannot stand in it's way; it plows right through him. Nothing can defeat me when I am using the sword of the Spirit. My sword (my tongue) can destroy me, but the sword of the Spirit will give me victory over anything the enemy throws my way. He is a defeated foe.

The Word has already been spoken and the outcome of the war determined. Now I just need to take up my sword to fight the little battles until my Lord comes again. That's why I study His Word and listen for how the Spirit clarifies it to me. That's why I hide His words in my heart -- to be ready for the daily battles. And they will come. The end of the book has been written, but I'm in the middle of the pages fighting away. I don't want to be left weaponless.

Thank You, Lord, for Your sword that fights the battles for me. Your Word is my strength. I cannot stand with anything less.

Further Thoughts:

1. How did Jesus use the Word of God to defeat Satan? Read Matthew 4:1-11.
2. In Scripture, what comparisons are made between the tongue and a sword? (See Psalm 64:2-4 and Proverbs 12:18)
3. Compare and contrast the Greek "word" in this passage with "Word" in John 1:1. Why must we meditate on God's Word to effectively use the sword of the Spirit? (HINT: personal revelation vs universal command)
4. Read Hebrews 4:12 then take up the Sword of the Spirit and go.