James -
Lesson 76
Review:
But above all, my
brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath;
- This refers to making oaths which involve
invoking the name of God to validate the truthfulness of a statement, promise
or vow that you've made.
James
covers all the bases;
Okay,
what are we supposed to do?
but let your yes be yes, and your no, no.
What
James is saying is this, believer you don't need to make oaths to verify the
truthfulness of what your saying, this is the case
when as a believer your life reflects integrity to the Word.
Next: the motivation
So that you may not fall
under judgment.
- Point James makes is that a failure to apply this
cmd and demonstrate honesty & integrity in one's
life leads to discipline.
Summary
1. Taking
oaths so as to appear to support truthfulness was commonly used to evade one's responsibility re: his own word.
2. This type of evil was especially prevalent
among the Jews of the day.
- James
is reminding them of what Jesus had already taught in Mt 5:34-37.
3. Taking
oaths had become so common a practice that it was used even in the ordinary
relationships of life. (family - friends - business)
4. All such oath taking is clearly forbidden not
only by James but by Jesus.
5.
What this does not prohibit is believers from
taking formal legal oaths in court or signing contracts. There are some who have tried to make the
application in that regard.
6.
Connection with a context of suffering:
a. Undeserved suffering is one of the means God
uses to build character in the believer.
b. The words spoken are an indication of the
character of the person and if oaths are needed to give credence or integrity
to the words then it would indicate that there is work yet to be done in the
life.
7. The
principle taught here is that the believer is to be totally honest and faithful
to his word.
8.
Failure to maintain this standard of integrity can lead to divine discipline.
Application
of this section - four principles!
#1 Don't focus on the
situation, or you'll become angry and obsessed with it.
#2 Don't focus on
yourself, or you'll become filled with self pity.
#3 Don't focus on
someone to blame or you'll become swallowed up in complaining.
#4 Don't obsess on the present or you'll
miss the point of what God is desiring to achieve in your life.
Is anyone among you suffering?
What we
are to do!! Let him pray.
- We
are to pray for wisdom - patience - endurance - strength (both phys/spir)
"Taking it to the Lord in prayer"
is certainly one of the marks of spiritual maturation.
Is anyone cheerful?
What
that cheerful one is to do!! Let him sing praises.
- The
mature believer knows how to sing praises even in the midst of suffering.
One with a vital living faith can both sing and
pray whether the circumstances are good or bad.