The document discusses themes from the book of James in the Bible. It explains that James teaches that true faith is shown through actions, not just words. Several chapters from James are summarized to illustrate this, such as speaking slowly and avoiding anger, showing compassion to the poor through works and not just words, and controlling what comes out of one's mouth. James also teaches that quarrels come from evil desires within and warns against judging others. The overall message is that a mature faith transforms one's behaviors and speech.

1. Some valuable teachings by the apostle James – 12th
January 2016 =
“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead’(James 2:17).
Not everybody who grows old grows up; because there is a vast difference between AGE and
MATURITY. Ideally, the older we are, the more mature we should be; but too often the IDEAL
does not become the REAL! The result is problems-- in personal lives, in homes, and even in
churches. Problems in these areas are often caused by immaturity more than by anything else.
If Christians would just grow up, they would become VICTORS instead of remaining as VICTIMS!
The Epistle of James was written to help people to understand and attain spiritual maturity:
"...that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing"(James 1:4). It says: "...any you find you
have become men of mature character, men of integrity with no weak spots" The overarching
theme in the book of James is the reality of our faith although in the gospels he is writing to the
twelve tribes scattered among the nations…
The book of James tells us of the reality of our faith that is shown in our actions done in our day
to day lives. We can learn that one of the sub themes is that our faith or lack thereof, is shown
by what comes out of our hearts, actions, mouths and off our tongues. When we have faith in
God, that act by itself begins to change us. Our faith and the belief in God prevents us from
doing the things that God does not like. One clear understanding comes by the way we speak,
act and behave. In every chapter of James, he writes about things that should not be coming
out of our actions and the mouth of a person of faith.
We can learn in James Chapter 1, where he tells us that our tongue should be slow to speak:
James1:19, “…Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry”. In
Chapter 2, James tells us to not be critical with our actions by speaking words of comfort
without works that comfort. The example he gives is found in James 2:2-4, “Suppose a man
comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old
clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say,
“Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by
my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil
thoughts?
In Chapter 3, James tells us that the actions we take with our tongue is wicked and that it is
often used to curse. He also advises that those who teach need to be very careful because they
will be judged on the teaching that comes from their tongue but which is only a small part in
our body. In James 3:5-6, “Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great
boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a
world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of
one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell”. He further explains; “With the tongue we
praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s
likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this

2. should not be”( James 3:9-10). The apostle James tells us further that: “Who is wise and
understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility
that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts,
do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven
but is earthly, nonspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there
you find disorder and every evil practice.
In chapter 4, James tells us that the quarreling that comes from our tongues, really reveals our
evil desires. “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires
that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get
what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When
you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what
you get on your pleasures” (James4:1-2). He also inquires as to who we are to judge others?
“Brothers and sisters do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or
sister[d] or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are
not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one
who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor? Therefore
James shows that a false faith or a faith that needs to grow can be checked with what comes
out of our actions as Christians. Therefore, real faith can also be checked with what comes out
of our mouth.
James wraps things up being one who has a real faith. We can learn in James 5 that it says; “Is
anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and
anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the
sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:13 -16).

3. “In the same way,faithby itself,ifit isnot accompaniedby
action,is dead’