Anger, God has a better way.

Getting angry will not accomplish the righteous purpose and ways of God. He has a better way to go about it.

What anger cannot do.......

James 1:19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;

James 1:20n for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

James 1:21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

James moves to a new subject here.....Anger, or as he calls it the "Wrath of Man"

But, leading up to that he says a number of things.

1. He tells us we are beloved brethren. God loves us.

2. He tells us to be swift to hear.

3. He tells us to be slow to speak.

4. He tells us to be slow to wrath, or get angry.

In these four things, we are reminded of who we are, we are indeed loved by God, and He as our father then, gives us this instruction about our actions, our hearts and our words. These are God's instructions, that will help us greatly in our lives, and in our relationships with others. Quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.

Then he explains more about anger, specifically, what it will not, and cannot accomplish. Our getting angry about something is not going to bring about the God's ways, and God's will in a situation. We will not accomplish what we might think by getting angry.

Finally, in these verses, we are told lay aside, or get rid of, to put our of our lives, any and all things that are filthy. And, then in humility of spirit, to accept the message that God has planted in our hearts, because it's powerful enough to save our very souls.

He will talk more about our relationship to the Word of God in the next few verses. We will look at that tomorrow.......

But, this is plenty to chew on, and to think about, and to digest. May what's said here in James 1:19-21 become a part of our lives. May we take these many things that have been given to us, and by God's grace, and our faith in action, put them into practice in our lives this very day. What are they?

Quick to listen.

Slow to speak.

Slow to get angry.

Put sin and evil out of our lives.

Humbly receive God's Word.

Blessings to you today, of God's grace, mercy and peace.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promises

1. We probably need to hear what James is saying.

2. God knows we are all pretty much alike.

3. God wants to curb our tendencies and make us like Him.

4. If we will open our hearts to this instruction, it will change us.

5. Will you think about what was said here?

6. Will you read it again, and then think about it again?

7. God has blessings in store for you.

8. You are one of those beloved brothers or sisters in Christ.

What comes down from the Father?

James explains that God is the giver of good gifts. And, that He does not change.

What comes down from the Father?

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

James 1:18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

What comes down from the Father? Every good and perfect gift. Just the verse before, James had warned not to be deceived about God, ( God does not tempt anyone to evil. ) Rather, He gives good gifts

Several truths about God are stated, as to who He is, and what He has done for us.

1. He is the Father of lights ( meaning He is pure in every way )

2. He does not change.

3. He brought us forth into salvation.

4. He did this through His Word, ( The Lord Jesus Christ )

5. The first converts were an example of more to come.

6. We are considered to be His creatures, ( His possession )

Earlier we were told that God gives wisdom to those who ask for it, then, blessing to those who endure trials and tribulations. And, here we are told that He gives good gifts, ( eternal life being the best of them all )

So, as we look up as it were today, we can know that our Father, ( He is that personally to us in Christ, He is OUR Father ) we can both thank Him for what He has already done for us, and we can ask for, and expect Him to continue to give us good gifts, because as mentioned He does not change.

Our Father, we thank You for giving us the gift of life. Thank You for making us to belong to You, not just now, but for all eternity, forever, and forever, and forever. Help us to solidify in our minds and hearts the truth about who You are, and what You have done, and what You will do. We look up to You today, and ask that You might shower us with good gifts, the ones Lord that would bring blessing to You and to others in our family's, and in our churches, where we work and so on. In Jesus name, amen

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promise

1. Make no mistake about it God is good, He does not tempt us.

2. He is a good giver, He gives us gifts.

3. He has already done the greatest if you will.

4. How valuable is the gift of eternal life with God?

5. What gifts and grace do you need today?

6. Would you ask Him, He is the giver of gifts and grace.

7. Like the rain that comes down, shower us Lord we pray.

Temptation, it's source and remedy

This video helps explain where temptation does not come from and where it does come from. It also deals briefly with how find help in temptation.

Who is tempting me?

James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.

James 1:14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

James 1:15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

James 1:16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

These verses explain who is not tempting you, ( soliciting, and enticing you to sin ) and where temptation does come from. And, it explains the process of temptation, leading to it's ultimate end, and concludes with a warning not to be deceived about this important issue.

We ought not never to blame God when we are being tempted to sin. Why? Because He cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone to sin. The temptation to sin, comes from within ourselves, when we are drawn away by our own desires or lusts. And, when we give into those lusts, or desires, that's when sin takes place, and sin when it is fully grown brings death.

So, that's where temptation comes from. Not from God, but from within ourselves.

Apparently, some of James's readers were confused about who was tempting them. These verses clear it up very well, and very simply.

Even though we are saved, we will be tempted to sin. Temptation by the way is not sin, it's merely the first step toward sin. It's temptation. The actual sin takes place when we say yes to temptation.

Question. How do we combat temptation? One major way would be Prayer. Jesus instructed us to pray, "and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" Also, "building ourselves up on our most holy faith" Jude. That would be by being in the Word. And, then "fellowship with one another" Acts 2:42 We find real encouragement as we share our lives with other believers.

These three things, prayer, talking to God, the Word, being in it, and fellowshipping with other christians, will help us combat temptation.

So, may You be blessed today, may God make you strong by His power and grace, to resist temptation, to turn away from it, to seek His help through prayer and by being made strong in the Word of God. In Jesus name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promise.

1. God never allows us to be tempted more then we are able to bear.

2. He will always make a way of escape for us.

3. Remember, to be tempted is not to sin,

4. Don't be condemned because you are being tempted.

5. You may need to take practical steps to avoid temptation.

6. Look away from temptation to God.

A promise to those who endure trials...

There is a promise from God to those who endure trials. Hang in there, that blessing is coming.