* Envy is not just wanting what another person has, it’s not wanting them to have it if you can’t get it. (Jealousy is the state of envy)
* Selfish ambition is using your energy to get something for yourself at the exclusion of others.
* Both of these together are a recipe for disaster.
* The way to overcome is to exhibit these 7 traits.
* Imagine if everyone on a team operated by these 7 traits:
* 1) Pure - this sits at the foundation. It’s being free from sinful pollution.
* 2) Peaceable (peace-loving) - someone who brings calmness wherever they go. (Thermostats, not thermometer)
* 3) Gentle (considerate) - not hurtful, consider how your words and actions affected others.
* 4) Reasonable (submissive) - use common sense, put others above yourself.
* 5) Merciful (full of mercy) - ready to show mercy when others mess up.
* 6) Decisive (unwavering) - they can make a decision and stick with it.
* 7) Impartial - they don’t play favorites.
* 8) Sincere - they mean what they say (“let’s go to lunch” - don’t say it if you don’t mean it).
James 3:16-17 (12/3/20)
8 Traits of Wisdom
December 3, 2020 • Benham Brothers
James 1:2-4 (11/21/13)
November 21, 2013 • Benham Brothers
James was writing to Jewish christians spread throughout who had fled Jerusalem because of Stephen's death James' encouragement was for them not to flee but to endure, to persevere The key to persevering in the midst of a trial is How You Receive It - as a gift from God to lead you to completeness in Christ How to receive a trial properly: 1) Consider the source of the trial - - is this trial from God or did it come from you (vs 13-15) - in either case you need to endure, but if it came from you then you need to start with repentance. Consider Cain - when anger was birthed in his heart murder crouched at his door - the sin that's crouching at your door is a product of what's in your heart. What are your temptations? 2) Ask yourself, "what is God saying to me?" 3) Focus on the reward - this gives you hope, and hope does not disappoint A trial is a "trial" and not a conviction (like in a court case - innocent until proven guilty) - God has promised victory if we simply endure If we don't endure and we quit then we lose - the trial is over and our "jail time" starts. We can stay out of jail if we just endure it
James 1:2-4 (11/19/15)
November 19, 2015 • Benham Brother
• James was writing to people who were scared because of intense persecution. • When God brings a trial it's for the testing and purification of our faith. • Strength comes through strain. • Two keys to enduring a trial: • 1) Receive it properly, as a gift from God. • 2) Focus on the reward for enduring it, like an athlete (Paul). • If you receive a trial as a gift and you focus on the reward you will endure. • Enduring a trial leads to maturity and completeness in Christ. • Two aspects of a trial: • 1) A trial is a trial - no sentence has been passed because no verdict has been given. • In court, when you're in a trial you haven't lost until you're convicted of a crime. • 2) There are two types of trials - the kind we bring on ourselves and the kind God brings. • We need to recognize the source of our trial to experience the joy of it. • vs 6 - to make it through a trial we need to shift from AM to FM - Analysis Mode to Faith Mode. • We are not to try to "make sense" of everything that happens to us. • Faith obeys God even when things don't make sense.
James 1:5-6 (11/16/17)
November 16, 2017 • Benham Brothers
* A prayer I’ve prayed every morning…… * But when you pray make sure you’re on FM and not AM. * Faith Mode vs Analysis Mode. * What God does doesn’t always make sense to us - often it doesn’t. * AM is based on human reason. * FM is based on God’s wisdom - God can throw that mountain into the sea if He wants it there! * Let’s pray in faith mode and watch God give us what we ask.