one step: James 1.10

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

James 1:19-20

We parade and celebrate those who are good speakers. We pay money to hear them and often allow their words to guide our lives. Thousands gather to hear the words of those gifted in communication. But, how many people are known for being good listeners? How do we celebrate them?

In many ways, it seems that the art of listening has been lost in our culture. According to James, this seems to be a timeless issue for humanity.

Needing to remind the church of the importance of listening, he instructs us to be “quick to hear.” Notice that God’s invitation through James isn’t to weigh how much you speak against how much you listen, with those who listen longest receiving some sort of reward. He invites us to listen quickly.*

Have you noticed how easily it comes to speak quickly especially when angry? It seems that James makes this connection as well as he notes the importance of being slow to speak and slow to anger.* This isn’t just a lesson on manners, however.

God informs us through James that anger does not bring the righteousness of God.* Meaning, if we want to see people acting rightly (including ourselves), being quick to speak and quick to anger will not get us there.* Maybe, just maybe, being quick to hear will.

Listening first helps us to navigate feelings and situations where boundaries have been crossed and feelings have been hurt. Being slow to anger keeps us open to logical thinking and open to the perspective of others. These things help in navigating conflict. More than that, however, being quick to listen to God and holding our heart open to His perspective changes everything,

There is much that I want to see change in the world around me. There is much in the people that I love that I want to see grow and change. When I don’t see these things change, it can cause angst in my soul that some might call anger (because it is anger, but I don’t want to admit it). This anger doesn’t make things right. Listening to God and holding off on being angry might just bring the change that we want to see.

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to slow down by quickly listening. Perhaps God wants you to see His righteousness come by His means. Perhaps today God wants you to be a part of His righteousness blossoming in people’s lives by listening first and speaking second. Maybe today God wants you to celebrate a good listener.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Blomberg, C. L., & Kamell, M. J. (2008). James (Vol. 16, pp. 85–86). Zondervan.
Guthrie, G. H. (2006). James. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews–Revelation (Revised Edition) (Vol. 13, pp. 225). Zondervan.
Stulac, G. M. (1993). James (Jas 1:19–20). IVP Academic.
Moo, D. J. (2021). The Letter of James (D. A. Carson, Ed.; Second Edition, pp. 108–111). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
Nystrom, D. P. (1997). James (pp. 89–92). Zondervan Publishing House.

one step: James 1.9

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

James 1:17

Let’s be honest. Whether we allow the trials of life to be used as testing or we relent to temptation, trials are hard. Suffering is not something that any of us wish to sign up for even if our Lord Jesus suffered and told us we would experience hardship (John 16:33).

As Craig Blomberg shares,

Because we live in a fallen world, much of what happens to us is not a direct gift from God, but the result of our own sin, someone else’s transgression (going all the way back at times to the fall), or the devil’s treachery. But if certain circumstances do come directly from God, then one day we will understand how they were indeed for our benefit. Frustratingly, it is often impossible to determine whether suffering in a given situation comes directly from God or not. Fortunately, our response ought not change either way, so we need not have the answer to that question.

What must our response be? We must choose obedience as opposed to sinning.* Why would we obey? Because we love Him, and every good and perfect gift comes from Him.* God is trustworthy and wholly good.* He made all things good, and though the world changed by way of sin, He does not change.* He is the eternal source of good, and He eternally offers it to His children, even if that means working through trials and despite brokenness in order to give us good.

It is impossible to know exactly what is happening in our lives. The perspective of eternity is not yet ours. One day we will see clearly, but today we must clearly see this: He is good and only good comes from Him.

When life is so painful that we can hardly bear it, He Himself is the good that we need.

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to stop trying to figure everything out. Perhaps today God wants you to look for His good gifts even in difficult seasons. Maybe today God wants you allow Him to do good through you as well as for you.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Blomberg, C. L., & Kamell, M. J. (2008). James (Vol. 16, pp. 73-75, 79). Zondervan.
Guthrie, G. H. (2006). James. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews–Revelation (Revised Edition) (Vol. 13, pp. 223-224). Zondervan.
Stulac, G. M. (1993). James (Jas 1:16–18). IVP Academic.
Moo, D. J. (2021). The Letter of James (D. A. Carson, Ed.; Second Edition, pp. 105-106). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
Nystrom, D. P. (1997). James (pp. 78). Zondervan Publishing House.

one step: James 1.8

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

James 1:13-15

Adam did something interesting when he sinned: he blamed Eve and God (Genesis 3:12-13).* It’s easy to blame God when we sin, or even when difficult things happen in life, especially if we don’t understand them. When innocent people die, purity is stolen, sickness takes down the kind-hearted, or injustice seems to reign, we can feel the temptation to blame God.*

Temptation and testing are closely related, but they are not synonymous.* Temptation will come in times of testing because times of testing challenge us.* We may experience a trial in terms of testing, which leads us to perseverance and maturity. Conversely, we may experience the same trial as a temptation, which leads us to sin and death. James warns against the second option.*

In reality, as difficult as life is, and though at times God tests us, the temptation to blame Him for the sin in this world is even more dangerous than the trial itself.* Blaming God is a sin as He does not tempt.* God cannot be tempted and does not tempt others. He is as far removed from temptation as anyone can be.*

Temptation, according to James, comes when we are lured and enticed by our own desire.* Our issue, therefore, is not with God, or even the enemy (though he plays an active role in offering temptation), but our issue is within ourselves.* Our sin-nature cannot be cured without Christ.

In times of pain and lack of understanding, we can fall into blaming the very One who made a way through temptation; we blame the One who made a way to live through the Spirit rather than through the flesh.

In these verses, God, being for us and desiring to help us to run from temptation, gives us the five steps toward death:

Step 1: temptation*

Step 2: sin conceived*

Step 3: sin given birth to*

Step 4: sin maturing*

Step 5: death*

God doesn’t tempt because His goal for testing is not to lead us on a path to death, but to life.

Life is difficult, trials come, and so does testing. God is here for you.

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to remember that God is for you. Perhaps God wants you to change the way you think your trial. Maybe today God wants you to run from temptation. Perhaps today God wants you to take a minute to talk to Him about where you might be (Steps 1-5), and let Him lead you through an exit strategy to get out of the path of temptation.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Blomberg, C. L., & Kamell, M. J. (2008). James (Vol. 16, pp. 70–72). Zondervan.
Guthrie, G. H. (2006). James. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews–Revelation (Revised Edition) (Vol. 13, pp. 221–223). Zondervan.
Stulac, G. M. (1993). James (Jas 1:13–18). IVP Academic.
Moo, D. J. (2021). The Letter of James (D. A. Carson, Ed.; Second Edition, pp. 95–100). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
Nystrom, D. P. (1997). James (pp. 72–75). Zondervan Publishing House.

one step: James 1.7

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12

Doesn’t it look attractive to quit when things get hard? What is your limit? Do you push beyond it?

There is a crown of life promised to those who stay the course through trials associated with following God.* James, drawing from an athletic theme prevalent in the surrounding Roman culture, explains that the crown of life is rewarded to those who win the race.* This crown isn’t just reserved for those who win the race, but for those who complete it.

Have you noticed that everyone who finishes a marathon receives a metal? Why is that? It’s because finishing 26.2 miles on foot is a big deal! This race is very difficult. There are trials all along the way. Physical and mental barriers provide unexpected trials. In 2013 I ran a marathon. I finished. It wasn’t pretty. The morning of the race I woke up ill. the race was a “down-and-back” race (13.1 miles in one direction and then back), making it especially mentally exhausting. A strong direct headwind opposed us for the first 13.1 miles. On the way back, the wind shifted to a strong crosswind, bringing rain into the race. To make things worse, the poorly-planned event ran out of water halfway through the race! I finished. I didn’t get the time I wanted. I didn’t end pretty. I barely finished. However, finishing was enough, so I got a metal.

in that race, I’m sure that some quit. It was hard. They hit their limit. They didn’t receive a metal.

That day, finishing my race made me happy, but was I blessed because I finished the race?

James tells us that those who finish are blessed because they receive the crown of life. What is it to be blessed?

While “happy” is an emotional state, “blessed” (in alignment with what Jesus explains in The Beatitudes) refers to “wholeness.”*

When we finish the race set before us, we receive the winning crown of life. This crown is the wholeness for which we longed our entire lives.

God promises this wholeness to those who love Him; those who love Him have what they need to endure because He gives us what we need.* He has given those who love Him Himself. He has given them wisdom. He has given those who love Him all that they need.

The wholeness that we long for in a broken, sinful world comes only through Christ. Christ is coming back one day, but Christ is here with you now.

Wholeness is coming, but wholeness is here.

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to see life through the promised crown of victory. Perhaps today God wants you to see the prize set before you. Maybe today God wants you to draw nearer to Jesus. Maybe today God wants you take hope: wholeness is coming… indeed, wholeness is here.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Blomberg, C. L., & Kamell, M. J. (2008). James (Vol. 16, pp. 69-70). Zondervan.
McCartney, D. G. (2009). James (pp. 100-101). Baker Academic.
Stulac, G. M. (1993). James (Jas 1:12). IVP Academic.
Guthrie, G. H. (2006). James. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews–Revelation (Revised Edition) (Vol. 13, p. 219-220). Zondervan.
Nystrom, D. P. (1997). James (pp. 71-72). Zondervan Publishing House.

one step: James 1.6

Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away.

James 1:9-10

Is it wrong to have wealth? Is it wrong to desire wealth?

Not much has changed since the writing of James to the early church. Much like today, there were those in the early church that associated poverty with piety.* Because of Israel’s history of wealthy kings who ignored the poor coupled with the second temple’s priestly aristocracy’s material access, many saw wealth as corrupting and those with it far from the heart of God.* At the time of Jame's’ letter, around ninety percent of the Roman empire lived at or below what we could consider the poverty line.*

Meanwhile, those existed in the early church who believed that prosperity was a sign of “right living.”* They believed that their financial success meant that God pleased with them and that earthly struggles were signs of God’s displeasure.*

Depending where one fell amongst these beliefs, they might find themselves falling into pride or envy. As George M. Stulac states,

Because of money we are beset with fears—troubling anxieties about how financial needs will be met. Because of money we are attacked with a sense of guilt and failure. We struggle to make ends meet, and we feel internal accusations about inability to manage finances and about mistakes we must have made in financial choices. Because of money we fall into crippling self-pity, chronic complaining and envy of others who can buy and do things which we lack. These can produce a terrible bitterness of spirit that makes a desert of our personal fellowship with God. Because of money we become trapped in attitudes of greed, practices of injustice and a lifestyle of materialism. No wonder Scripture says that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil!

James writes to the early church (and God speaks to us today) to tell us: no matter our status, we are equally seen by an eternal God who wants us to know that whatever our current state, it is temporary. An eternal future awaits us all. God will lift up the head of the downtrodden and humble the one who leans on their possessions. Both are blessed to be in the presence of God as equals: brothers and sisters in Christ.

Money may be a source on this earth of personal worth.* Money also may provide a sense of security.* Money lies. God wants to remind us that He established our worth through Jesus Christ; our security must be found in Him.

The truth awaits; the burden will be lifted.

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to repent for judging others based upon their financial status. Perhaps today God wants you to repent for judging yourself. Maybe today God wants you to remember that everything is temporary. Perhaps today God wants you to ask Him how to leverage all that is in your hands for His eternal purposes.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Blomberg, C. L., & Kamell, M. J. (2008). James (Vol. 16, pp. 54-56). Zondervan.
McCartney, D. G. (2009). James (pp. 98-99). Baker Academic.
Stulac, G. M. (1993). James (Jas 1:9-12). IVP Academic.
Guthrie, G. H. (2006). James. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews–Revelation (Revised Edition) (Vol. 13, p. 217–218). Zondervan.
Nystrom, D. P. (1997). James (pp. 54-56). Zondervan Publishing House.