Monday October 13

When Lust Conceives
Read James 1:13-15 again. When does temptation become sin?
Several Greek words are used in this passage to describe how sin begins, and all of them are connected with giving birth. When a wrong desire is nurtured, sin is conceived, like a baby in the womb. Sin, when it is completely grown, gives birth to death (James 1:15, author's literal translation).
The picture is paradoxical. The process that is supposed to give life results only in death (compare Rom. 7:10-13). Sin, like cancer, takes over and consumes its host. We all know this, for we have all been ruined by sin. Our hearts are evil, and we cannot change them.
Read Genesis 3:1-6. Eve's experience vividly illustrates the conflict with sin. What steps led her into sin?
At its root, sin begins with distrusting God. Satan, using the same successful method by which he deceived a third of the angels (Rev. 12:4, 7-9), raised doubts in Eve's mind about God's character (Gen. 3:1-5). Approaching the forbidden tree was not sin, but taking and eating the fruit was. Even so, wrong thoughts seem to have preceded her sinful act (Gen. 3:6). She adopted Satan's suggestions as her own.
Sin always begins in the mind. Like Eve, we may think about the supposed benefits of wrongdoing. Then our imagination and feelings begin to take over. Soon we seize the bait and fall into sin.
Often we wonder how it could happen. The answer is easy: we let it happen. Nobody forced us into sin.
"By earnest prayer and living faith we can resist the assaults of Satan, and keep our hearts unspotted from pollution.
The strongest temptation is no excuse for sin. However great the pressure brought to bear upon the soul, transgression is our own act. It is not in the power of earth or hell to compel any one to sin. The will must consent, the heart must yield, or passion cannot overbear reason, nor iniquity triumph over righteousness.-Ellen G. White, Christian Privileges and Duties, Signs of the Times, October 4, 1883.

Tuesday October 14

Every Good and Perfect Gift
Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning (James 1:16-17).
Although sin gives birth to death, God is the source of life. He is the Father of lights (James 1:17), a reference to the Creation (Gen. 1:14-18). God gives us birth to a new life, which is the greatest gift we can get from above (compare James 1:17 with John 3:3).
Like Paul, who speaks of salvation as the result of God's grace (Rom. 3:23-24; Eph. 2:8; 2 Tim. 1:9), James 1:17 calls salvation a gift. More so, in the next verse James makes it clear that salvation, this new birth, is the result of God's purpose and will for us: In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth (James 1:18, NRSV). That is, God wants us to be saved. It was His will, from even before we existed, that we should have salvation and a new life in Him now and for all eternity.
How does James's depiction compare with the description by Paul and Peter of the new birth? See Titus 3:5-7, 1 Pet. 1:23.
Jesus, Paul, Peter, and James all connect salvation with the new birth. God's whole purpose in the plan of redemption is to reconnect sin-battered and broken human beings with heaven. The rift was so big and so wide that nothing humans could do could have ever bridged it. Only God's Word in human form, Jesus, could reconnect heaven to earth. The inspired Word (2 Tim. 3:16) is uniquely able to breathe spiritual life into those whose hearts are open to receive the gift.
In short, our Father of lights so loves us that, even as underserving as we are, He gives us every good gift and every perfect gift (James 1:17, NKJV), the best of all gifts being Jesus and the new birth that He offers.
What are the gifts you've been given from above? Why is it so important to dwell on them? What happens when we don't?

I disagree. First of all, Jesus was tempted by Satan. That He was tempted by His own evil lusts is far from a settled fact.

Second, the lesson misses an important factor. If I tempt my neighbor and he immediately refuses to entertain my temptation, he is not guilty. We all agree there. But what about me? Am I also innocent because my temptation was rejected? No, the tempter is guilty regardless. So also when we tempt ourselves.

It's refreshing to hear someone else say what I've been saying on this forum for years. Plus it's good to see it as part of the lesson quarterly. It suggests others believe it, too.

Wednesday October 15

Slow to Speak
Read James 1:19-20. What important point is he making there?
God's Word is powerful. But so are human words. How often have we spoken words that later we wish we could take back? Unfortunately, just being aware of how hurtful wrong words can be, and how destructive anger is, does little to help us get ourselves under control. Left to our own devices, we can never really change. That is why we need to listen more to God and let Him work in us.
When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we wait before Him, the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice of God. He bids us, Be still, and know that I am God.-Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 58.
By contrast, problems arise when we stop listening to God and to each other. Whether in the home, at work, or in the church, arguments ensue when listening stops. When that happens, talking begins to accelerate and anger builds. This slippery slope of sinful communication, like the uncontrolled inward desires of James 1:14-15, can never produce the righteousness of God.
That is why James juxtaposes God's righteousness with human wrath. As long as we rely on what bubbles up naturally from our sinful nature, the creative power of God's Word is blocked and our own unhelpful or even hurtful words arise instead. No wonder that right after talking about all that our Father of lights does for us by the gift of a new life, James tells us to be careful with what we say.
What do the following passages teach about words? Prov. 15:1, Isa. 50:4, Eph. 4:29, 5:4, Col. 4:6.
Think about the last time someone devastated you with his or her words. The depth of emotion you felt should show you just how powerful words can be, either for good or bad. What can you do to help keep your words under control? Why is it so important to think before you speak?

Thursday October 16

Saved by Receiving
Read James 1:21. What role does the word have in what James is saying?
This verse concludes all that has been said so far about faith and salvation. It is an appeal to put away all impurity and separate ourselves from wickedness. The command put away (RSV) is used seven out of nine times in the New Testament for detaching oneself from the evil habits that have no place in a life submitted to Christ (Rom. 13:12; Eph. 4:22, 25; Col. 3:8; Heb. 12:1; 1 Pet. 2:1). It can also refer to the taking off of clothing (Acts 7:58), so that the taking off of our filthy rags of sin (compare Isa. 64:6) may also be implied. Indeed, the word filthiness (RSV) occurs in James for the filthy clothes of the poor in contrast to the sparkling clean clothing of the rich (James 2:2, NKJV). Like Jesus, James decries the human tendency to be so concerned with outward appearance, because God is concerned above all with the condition of our hearts.
In the Greek translation of the Old Testament, the word filthy (ryparos) is used in only one passage: Zechariah 3:3-4, where Joshua, the high priest, represents sinful Israel. God takes away the high priest's filthy garments and clothes him with a clean robe, symbolizing Israel's forgiveness and cleansing.
This scene is very different from the popular Christian image we sometimes see of Jesus putting a clean white robe over the sinner's dingy, soiled garments. Who would do this in real life? Nobody puts clean clothes over dirty ones. Likewise in Zechariah, the filthy garments are removed before the clean robe is put on. This doesn't mean that we must be without sin before we can be clothed in Christ's righteousness. If that were true, who could be saved? It also doesn't mean that we cannot be saved or return to Jesus if we fall back into sin.
Instead, it means that we must completely surrender to Him, choosing to die daily to our old sinful ways and allow Him to create us into His image. Christ's perfect robe of righteousness will then cover us.
Read again James 1:21. How deeply are you seeking to apply what it says here to your life? What does it mean to engraft the Word into your heart, and how can you do it?

Friday October 17

Further Study: Read about sin and the power to change in Ellen G. White, Repentance, Steps to Christ, pp. 23-36 and summarize the key points.
The plan of redemption contemplates our complete recovery from the power of Satan. Christ always separates the contrite soul from sin. He came to destroy the works of the devil, and He has made provision that the Holy Spirit shall be imparted to every repentant soul, to keep him from sinning.-Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 311.
If you have accepted Christ as a personal Saviour, you are to forget yourself, and try to help others. Talk of the love of Christ, tell of His goodness. Do every duty that presents itself. Carry the burden of souls upon your heart, and by every means in your power seek to save the lost. As you receive the Spirit of Christ-the Spirit of unselfish love and labor for others-you will grow and bring forth fruit. The graces of the Spirit will ripen in your character. Your faith will increase, your convictions deepen, your love be made perfect. More and more you will reflect the likeness of Christ in all that is pure, noble, and lovely.-Ellen G. White, Christ's Object Lessons, pp. 67, 68.
Discussion Questions:

Think more about the reality of the power of words. Why are they so powerful? How can language be easily manipulated? How often is how we say or write something just as important, or even more important, than what we say or write?
Of all the gifts that you have been given from above, which is the greatest one, and why?
Read over James 1:12-21. What is the essential message there? What hope and promises are there for us?
Lust brings forth sin, and sin brings forth death. Why, with such high stakes before us, do we not have the victories that should be ours? What are the ways in which we rationalize sin, and why is that always a dangerous mind game to play?
Read the last Ellen G. White statement found above. What crucial counsel is found there, especially for those who might be wavering in faith?

Being and Doing

Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week's Study: James 1:23-24; Matt. 19:16-22; Luke 6:27-38; Rom. 8:2-4; 12:9-18; 2 Pet. 1:4.
Memory Text: But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves (James 1:22).
Jean Francois Gravelet, better known as The Great Blondin, became famous for walking across Niagara Falls on a tightrope. In September of 1860, the Prince of Wales had witnessed Blondin's crossing of the falls with an assistant on his back. After the walk, Blondin turned to the British prince and offered to carry him across the falls too. Although the prince had heard of the man's skills, and had even just seen them in action, he was still not ready to place his life in Blondin's hands.
The point is, of course, that hearing and seeing are not enough when it comes to a relationship with God. We may be intellectually convinced about the existence of God, the truth of the gospel, and the Second Coming. We may have even seen for ourselves the reality of God's love and care. Yet, even with all that, we may not really be ready to commit ourselves fully into His hands, an action that would be revealed by our works. This is precisely why James emphasizes the importance of being doers, not just hearers, of the Word.
This week we'll look at what being a doer of the Word means for those saved by grace.
*Study this week's lesson to prepare for Sabbath, October 25.

Sunday October 19

Knowing Your Enemy
Someone once said this about his enemy: I see him every day-when I'm shaving. This is exactly what James wants us to recognize: our greatest enemy is ourselves. Salvation begins by seeing who we really are, not who we imagine ourselves to be.
Read James 1:23-24. Who is described here, and what is the basic problem?
While there is nothing wrong with looking our best, many people spend a great deal of time and money to improve their appearance. But we need to make sure that we don't deceive ourselves. James says we need to get a better view of ourselves, no matter how much we might not like what we see.
Read Matthew 19:16-22, 26:33-35, 69-75. How does the self-image of each of these two men compare with the reality? What do their two different reactions to Jesus' words say about them?
The rich young man thought he had been keeping the commandments. Suddenly he was challenged to adhere to a different kind of obedience, one that he had never anticipated, one that went much deeper than mere outward compliance to rules and regulations. (See Rom. 7:7.)
Peter, like this young man, also had a distorted picture of himself. Self-confidently he predicted that even if everyone else should stumble and fall away, he would remain faithful--even if it cost him his life. But neither realized how tightly sin held him in its grasp. Both were self-deceived about their true spiritual state. Peter, however, eventually was converted. As far as we know, the rich young ruler wasn't.
It's always so easy to see the faults in others but not in ourselves, right? Deep down, though, we probably are more aware of our faults than we want to admit. Look deep into your own soul. What does this view tell you about why you must have a Savior?

Monday October 20

Being a Doer
Read James 1:22 again. The Greek says to be doers of the Word. How might the message have been different had James simply said, Do the word?
James combines being and doing. He does not separate them, nor does he make one more important than the other. They are like two sides of the same coin, inseparable. We are to be doers. Furthermore, the tense of the Greek word for be here refers to an ongoing lifestyle of obedience, one that is expected of us now rather than at some indefinite time in the future.
The point is, we are to become new people in the Lord, and as a result of what we become, we do the things that God commands us to. This is something quite different from us merely following rules (which seems to have been the problem with the rich young ruler, as we saw in yesterday's lesson).
Read Luke 6:27-38. What are some of the actions that we should be taking?
Love your enemies. Give to everyone who asks of you. Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful (Luke 6:27, 30, 36, NKJV). Sounds impossible, doesn't it? And it is, on our own. Love like this does not come naturally to sinful human beings. That is why Jesus goes on to talk about two different kinds of trees and the fruit each produces (Luke 6:43-45).
Similarly, in Galatians 5, Paul contrasts the works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21) with the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). It is almost as if the more we focus on doing, the worse we become; whereas, when we are being led by the Spirit, yields a totally different outcome-the fruit of love and obedience.
Think about a time you did something simply because it was required of you or because it was a rule you had to obey. Contrast that to the time you did something similar because it was something you wanted to do, something that flowed naturally out of you because of Christ living in you. How does this contrast help us to understand the point of today's lesson?