Could you go one day without ripping anyone?

If you want to read a convicting portion of the Bible, look no further than James 3:1-12. It's all about the tongue...about the incredible power of words.

Yes, it's true that our words can create and sustain life, but they also destroy and kill. It's sort of sobering to think that if you want to drive a car or own a gun, you have to get a license, but we're free to drop verbal bombs without restriction. It's not that often that we're held accountable for the damage our words cause.

Recently I heard about an exercise that's taken from an old discipleship course. It goes like this: For one week, don't boast or defend yourself, and, don't gossip or speak negatively about anyone. Could you do it? One week seems pretty daunting. Could I pull it off for a morning? Well, I've settled on trying to make it for one day. I'm going to try not to puff myself up or tear anyone down for 24 hours.

I've only been thinking about this for a short time, and I've already caught myself being prideful, defensive, and self righteous. I can't believe how easy it is to put others down and build myself up!

One day without ripping anyone. Could you do it?

Who do I favor?

Do I overlook people to find favor with those who have higher status?

"...hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom He promised to those who love Him?" James 2:5

That’s probably one of the biggest things I learned during my two trips to Africa. I have very little faith in comparison to the women and men of God there. They have nothing… yet everything. I’ve prayed that God would give me that kind of faith, but I think I’m actually afraid of being put into a situation where that kind of faith would be required.

Do I try to avoid the person on the street who looks like they might ask me for something? If I do stop to help, will I be judged by others for doing so?

What would Jesus do? Would He give them the thing they were asking for…. maybe not… but He would probably have a loving conversation… not talking down to them, but talking about the one thing that will give them everything that they need… having a personal relationship with Him.

What’s going on in my mind when I see people awkwardly trying to fit in to a “rich” church?  Do I say to myself… they don’t belong here? Or do I say to myself… that poor person…  I hope someone else has a conversation with them.

Do I try to avoid them, ‘cause I really don’t know what I would say...

“… yes it is good when you truly obey our Lord’s royal command found in the Scriptures: “love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you pay special attention to the rich, you are committing a sin, for you are guilty of breaking that law.” James 2:8

Guilty of breaking the, “love your neighbor” commandment? How could I do that if I’m being kind? I think what James is trying to say here is… if I pay more attention to those who have status, money or stuff… than I do to the person who is struggling to get by, who maybe doesn’t fit in, who is thought of as “needy”, then I am not treating others as I would want to be treated. If I was the one who was without… If I was the one who needed something, I would want to be respected and cared for, not treated like an outsider.

I have had a couple of conversations lately that speak directly to the point that James is making in this chapter. One person said that they passed over a needy person on the street because they were afraid of losing something of value that they had with them.

Another person has said that we have an issue in our church with talking the talk, but not walking the walk… not living out our faith, not practicing what Jesus has told us to do. We are comfortable sitting in the pews… in our comfortable homes, driving our nice cars, but do not put our faith in action.

All of those things are true in my own life… I am a sinner… I know that I’m afraid to help someone out, because it interferes with my time schedule, because I want to buy that Starbucks later and if I help that person, then I won’t have enough for my coffee. Come on…. I know I’m not the only one who thinks that… we are selfish… selfish people.

I know that Jesus has said that the poor will inherit God’s kingdom, but what does it really mean to be poor? Does it mean, because I own a house, three vehicles, two dogs, a trailer and enjoy a warm vacation most winters… that I’m not poor and I won’t come into the Kingdom that God has promised? Maybe...

One commentary I’ve read says the poor are people who have little money and whose simple values are despised by an affluent society like ours.

Do I despise the people I see?

”Suppose you see a brother or sister who needs food or clothing, and you say, “Well, good-by and God bless you; stay warm and eat well”, but then don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, it isn’t enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn’t show itself by good deeds is not faith at all – it is dead and useless.” James 2:15-17

James questions the reality of my faith. If I show favoritism to those I like and overlook those I don’t, then how can my faith be real? Ouch!

God, help me to listen to your Word, then to actually have the courage to DO IT!

How do I know that my faith is real?

James 1:2 says ..."whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything." NLT

One of the first marks of Real Faith is being comfortable in discomfort. We've been through many trials, some of the major ones include health and relationships and I know those will continue. How I handle them will determine how real my faith is. James reminds me that my faith is always refined and grows stronger in the soil of adversity. How will I choose to face these trials?

Do I try to escape, avoid or deny? Do I always want an explanation - why is this happening to me? Do I try to solve everything myself - finding a quick fix, relying on money, stuff & status to get me through?
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Do I persevere  - when I don't know what the end results will be? Do I ask God for wisdom and strength? God promises to give it...

But then do I really trust He will answer? ..."a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord." James 1:6,7 NLT

God does not promise that my life here on earth will be easy and smooth. I know that and have experienced many bumps in the road, but if I allow those bumps to help me to mature in my faith, to refine me in my walk with Jesus instead of complaining about them and trying to fix the problem myself.... that's when I know my faith is becoming more real.