Welcome to week fifteen of our study on the Epistle of James! Tonight we will look at one root cause of conflict and evil: the human desire for pleasure.
Contents
Week One – An Expository Study of James
Week Two – Joy in Our Trials
Week Three – Giving Birth to Sin Part One
Week Four – Giving Birth to Sin Part Two
Week Five – Receiving the Word
Week Six – Receiving the Word Part Two
Week Seven – The Royal Law
Week Eight – The Royal Law Part Two
Week Nine – A Living Faith
Week Ten – A Living Faith Part Two
Week Eleven – A World of Iniquity/Taming the Tongue
Week Twelve – Taming the Tongue Part Two
Week Thirteen – Heavenly Wisdom
Week Fourteen – Heavenly Wisdom Part Two
Outline
- Opening prayer
- Introduction
- Read James 4:1-5
- Read the study notes from ESV.org
- Answer questions 1-4 on page 10 of Workbook on the Epistle of James
- Closing prayer
Opening Prayer
Almighty God, we come before you in humility and ask for wisdom as we study your Word tonight. We ask that the Holy Spirit be with us as we discover the root cause of much of the evil that is in the world. Thank you for each other, and for this wonderful letter from James, which is the perfect roadmap for how to live in a way that pleases You and glorifies your Son. We gather and pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Previous Highlights
- Last week, we contrasted human versus heavenly wisdom.
- Human wisdom is “earthly, natural, and demonic” (3:15).
- Heavenly wisdom is “pure, peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical” (3:17-18).
- Verse 19 is a good memory verse: “And the fruit that consists of righteousness is planted in peace among those who make peace.”
Application
Read James 4:1-5 and answer questions 1-4 on page 10 of the workbook.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the amazing privilege of the indwelling Holy Spirit Who desires us to be holy for You are holy. Keep me from engaging in strife and acrimony and help me never to foster carnal attitudes or crave after the things of this world. Help me to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and to be careful of needs of my brothers and sisters in Christ. I pray that I may think of others before myself and ask that I may truly die to my own desires and jealously live for Your praise and glory. This I ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.[1]
Next Week
Next week, we will be looking at James 4:5-10 and answering questions 5-9 on page 10 of the workbook.
Have a wonderful week, ladies!
Featured image is from James 4:1-10 Worldly Pleasures
