7 Short but Mighty Lessons from the Book of James
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When people think about the book of James, they can probably attest to one or two words of wisdom they have gained from James that have impacted them.
James, believed to be one of the brothers of Jesus, shared this letter years after Jesus died and was resurrected back to heaven. He was, at one time, not a support of Jesus’s ministry and even challenged Jesus because he didn’t understand what Jesus was trying to achieve (John 7:2-5).
Years after Jesus was resurrected, James had become a pastor himself and wrote his letter to the recipients of the twelve tribes of Jewish Christians that are “scattered abroad” (James 1:1).
What he writes are several important pieces of advice that believers both then and today can easily use for handling any life situation, whether they are spiritually minded or not. Listed below are 7 mini lessons from James that are important truths we should consider every day.
1) Trials bring patience and wisdom (James 1:2-7).
2) Do God’s Word, don’t just speak it (James 1:22-25).
3) Faith without works is dead (James 2:14-17).
4) Watch your tongue, for it could be your death or blessing (James 3:8-10).
5) Resist the devil and submit to the Lord (James 4:7-8).
6) Focus on now, not tomorrow (James 4:13-15).
7) We serve as one for the Lord (James 5:13-16)
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Lesson 1: Trials Bring Patience and Wisdom
We all can attest to going through trials, from the mild to the unbelievable. But in the eyes of God, trials are what grow us in the best possible way. James speaks of trials at the start of chapter 1, describing for readers how to view trials from God’s perspective:
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4).
As we learn to endure through hardships, we know that God uses these circumstances to grow in us patience, wisdom, and trust for what He is doing in our lives. Blessings also come when trials have concluded. However, some may still struggle with doubt over the trials they are experiencing, so James advises us what to remember in difficult situations:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind” (James 1:5-6).
Don’t let doubt get the best of you when facing trials, but instead realize you can ask the one who knows the outcome of the trial you are facing for guidance and wisdom on what to do.
Lesson 2: Do God’s Word, Don’t Just Speak It
It’s one thing to say godly words and insight to others; it’s entirely different to actually walk those words out. That is why James is adamant toward the end of chapter 1 that we should not just be speakers of God’s Word, but actually do what we speak of.
“But be doers of the word, not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in the mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was” (James 1:22-24).
As James explains to his readers, when we only hear God’s Word and do not do what it says, we are like a man seeing who he is in a mirror but then forgetting himself as soon as he leaves walks away. In other words, we see who we are to be as Christians when we hear the Word, maybe even when we speak the Word, but when it comes to actually doing the Word, we seem to have forgotten what we learned.
When we speak and do God’s Word, it becomes a part of us and changes us forever.
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Lesson 3: Faith without Works Is Dead
James gets deeper into what it means to have faith in God in the second chapter of his book, describing to readers that if you say you have faith but don’t put it into action, it is not benefitting you or anyone else around you.
“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?” (James 2:14).
“Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17).
He then gives readers the example of a person who is naked and destitute, in need of clothing and food. But instead of help, the person is told to go out and be blessed, without supplying them with any help. When you do this to your fellow brother or sister, your faith is not living out of you to bless others. Instead, it will decay inside of you. When you live out your faith in your words and actions, blessing those around you, your faith is strengthened and continues to thrive.
Lesson 4: Watch Your Tongue, for It Could Be Your Death or Blessing
The tongue is considered a weapon by many because of what it can do to those around you. James isn’t afraid to share the blessings and pitfalls that can come from a person who is or isn’t in control of their words or tongue.
“But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so” (James 3:8-10).
As James describes so accurately the weapon of the tongue, we have the ability to bless others and our Father in heaven with our words. But we can use the same tongue to create words that curse those around us, even if we say we love them to their faces earlier. Many would say that this is a good example of someone being two-faced, appearing in one way to certain people and completely different away from those people.
James advises that we should watch our tongues, meaning we should watch our words (which are tied to our thoughts) because when we stop and think before we speak, we can avoid saying words that would hurt. We can say things out of a variety of emotions, so it is best for us to watch our tongues and wait before speaking.
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Lesson 5: Resist the Devil and Submit to the Lord
One of the more memorable verses from the book of James is James 4:7-8, as he gives the simple message of what we should do regarding the devil and the Lord.
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:7-8).
We will always be chased after by the devil, placed before tempting situations to encourage us to reject God’s ways and embrace the devil’s. However, James’s simple truth here is to show that when we say no to the devil and yes to God, God will come near to us and protect us from the devil’s deceitful snares, while also leading us on the path He has planned for us.
Lesson 6: Focus on Now, Not Tomorrow
We all strive for what tomorrow will be and bring, doing what we can today to ensure we have a great tomorrow. However, throughout the Bible, God reminds us that we don’t know when our last day will be on earth. So to always be focused or worried about tomorrow will be for nothing if we don’t actually reach those goals. James discusses this in chapter 4.
“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that’” (James 4:13-16).
We are sometimes too focused on our plans and future goals to realize that the world doesn’t revolve around our plans. We are but vapors in the world, making an impact while we are here on earth, but then we pass away and life moves on. Instead, James advises that we should seek what the Lord wills for our lives and follow His plan, knowing that we are living life that is memorable and helpful to all, including God and ourselves.
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Lesson 7: We Serve as One for the Lord
The last lesson focuses on what we, the church, are to do today in serving God and serving others as we face treacherous days ahead. Christians should seek to work together, supporting one another and those in the world so the Lord will be spread to others through our words and actions.
James gives examples of what we are to do if someone is suffering (“pray”), has sickness (“pray over the person with anointing oil and the elders of the church”), and is cheerful (“sing psalms of praise”).
“And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:13-16).
When we come together as the church to pray for the sick, the hurting, and the lost, the Lord emerges within us to provide the help we need. We forgive as we have been forgiven by God and others, and we continue to pray, knowing prayer is always righteous and effective.
This last lesson brings together the knowledge of all the lessons together, that when we truly live our faith out in God – letting it lead our way through all circumstances, both good and bad – we are able to resist the devil, authentically pray for people, and live out the plan God has for our lives. Our faith in God will grow no matter the trial because we have let God lead instead of trying to determine things ourselves.
Let God Guide
The book of James offers us several nuggets of wisdom to guide us in our daily walks of faith. The specific mini lessons listed here are based on some of the most beloved words of advice from James. James seemed to be a writer with his pulse of knowledge on God Himself.
What we mainly learn from these lessons is that when we let God guide us in our daily lives, focused on the right now instead of tomorrow, we will see ourselves praying more, serving more, and have more peaceful lives for God overall. We will be aware of those around us who need Jesus, while also walking closely with Him through each moment of life. We will live life as it should be, thankful to God for every moment we have.
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