Living Our Religion

James 1:19; 3:1–13; 4:11; and the institute student manual commentary for James 3:8, “The Importance of Taming the Tongue” (p. 410). 

Things We Say That Are Offensive to God:

Speaking evil of one another (4:11) 

Judging one another (4:11)

Boasting (3:5)

Cursing men (3:9)

Things We Say That Are Pleasing to God:

Swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath (1:19) 

Meekness of wisdom (3:13)

Good conversation (3:13)

Referring to the following lists, James 4:1–4 identifies four symptoms of people who are friends of the world. James 4:7–12 identifies a prescription that would help people overcome the “world.” 

Symptoms of Being in the World (James 4:1-4)

Wars and fightings (4:1)

Lustful (4:2)

Ask God for things that are lustful (4:3)

Friend of the world (4:4)

Prescription for Being out of the World (James 4:7-12)

Submit yourself to God and resist the devil (4:7)

Cleanse your hands and purify your hearts (4:8)

Mourn and weep (4:9)

Humble yourselves (4:10)

Speak no evil of one another and do not judge (4:11)