During Lent, the sanctification process continues as we're shown the source of the restless evil in our lives and the right way of the wisdom of God found in Jesus. The letter of James gives us guidelines for godly interactions with one another as we hope to share in the life of Christ together.
A Restless Evil
Through Lent, we're reminded that death was produced and directed in our relationships with God and one another by our tongues.
James 3:1-12
Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 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. 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. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Contain your speech
Say only what is useful for building others up according to their needs.
Ephesians 4:29
Complaints poison the well
Differentiate between your preferences and sin. Correct sin, corral your preferences.
Come into agreement with God
Speak the word of faith over others by saying only what God would say about them. Be redemptive in your speech regarding your family, friends, co-workers, city, leaders, nation and world.
No act of virtue can be great if it is not followed by advantage for others. So, no matter how much time you spend fasting, no matter how much you sleep on a hard floor and eat ashes and sigh continually, if you do no good to others, you do nothing great.
-John Chrysostom
A Righted Way
Through Lent we're reminded of the wisdom and peace of God found in Christ.
James 3:13-18
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. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
Come into the light regarding shortcomings
Don't conceal (hide) them and don't keep them.
Proverbs 28:13
Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
Continue to repent that you might become a peacemaker
How do I know when I'm walking in a destructive manner/being influenced by the demonic?
It tears down rather than builds.
2 Corinthians 13:10
For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.
The fruit of our interactions produce envy, disorder and every evil practice (i.e. - gossip, slander, grumbling, disunity and mistrust).
How do I know when I'm giving/walking in the wisdom of God?
It builds up rather than tears down.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
What are peacemakers?
They are those who live out the redemptive qualities of and point people to the cross of Jesus Christ. Through Lent we recognize that Jesus came as the Prince of Peace, the very wisdom of God to make peace with God through His sacrificial death, burial and resurrection from the dead. Turn away from sin and put your trust afresh in His saving work today.
Romans 10:8-13
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” that is, the word of faith that we proclaim; because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
May this be our Lenten cry:
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
- St. Patrick
Second City Church: Lent Sermon Series 2017