Worship Lessons From the Book of James
The book of James shares the wisdom of someone who has “been there, done that” in the faith! This powerful, short book is heavily centered around living out your faith in a very real way that shows the struggles and conflicts we all face when contending with the flesh. James wrote, “…the tongue is a little part of the body and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles. The tongue is a fire, a world of evil. The tongue is among the parts of the body, defiling the whole body, and setting the course of nature on fire, and it is set on fire by hell.” (James 3:5-6) Friends, those words were written out of experience! But there are worship lessons from the book of James too, because praise and worship are a significant foundation to a life of victory!
Here’s an interesting fact about the book of James: Although the name of Jesus Christ is not directly mentioned, James made around 30 direct references to the teachings of Christ. James is considered to be a book of wisdom, like a New Testament book of Proverbs, for the Christian and, of course, where there is wisdom there is worship!
What is the Main Message of the Book of James?
Our example of Christ cannot stop at the threshold of the church, but must continue into the world in every, single situation we encounter.
James wrote, “…no man 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 Godβs likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” (James 3:9-10) The wisdom of James shows something every Christian struggles with: The words of the mouth, which can create a life or death situation! “We praise our Lord and Father“ but we also “curse human beings” – using our mouths to worship God at church on Sunday and then criticize, condemn, gossip, complain, argue, call names and even worse. Remember, this letter James wrote was to believers!
“This should not be,” among the people of God James said. Why? Because “where there is envying and strife, there is confusion and every evil work.” (James 3:16) We give a foothold to the enemy when our mouths are used to create realities where God would not dwell. Worship creates a spiritual tabernacle for the Lord meaning this: While the Lord is always with you, ever-present, there is a difference between having His presence with you and being in His presence. The anointing is different, the power is different. One is God’s gift to you- His presence going with you. The other is your gift to Him- praise and invitation for Him to dwell with you.
James said that our example of Christ cannot stop at the threshold of the church, but must continue into the world in every, single situation we encounter. There is no way anyone could sustain the sort of pressures life will throw at you without the presence of God!! Worship is what keeps you in His presence.
Thought for today: James Had Wisdom and Worship
The book of James is a protest against hypocrisy within the church and he calls upon Christians to show the world the transformation Christ has performed! The world is watching, always, to see if you’re living what you say you believe. That’s where a lifestyle of worship comes in. The wisdom of James is found in, first, controlling the mouth, and then using your mouth it for a singular purpose from which your faith will grow on the inside of you and will show on the outside of you: The worship of the Lord. “Worship” includes not only the act of singing and giving thanks to the Lord in singular moments in time, but, in order walk in the fullness of what God created worship to be, you must also have a lifestyle of worship to support your faith.
Living a lifestyle of worship means your life, your speech, your behaviors, your habits and responses consistently reflect that you actively and frequently spent time in God’s presence through worship. That is where the miracle-working power is everyone is always singing about! You cannot spend time in the presence of the Father and walk away unchanged, not if you’re truly worshipping. Not if you’re living a lifestyle of worship. Worship is completely God-centered and God-focused. “Every” evil work is present where there is envy or strife of any kind, James said. Did you see that word? E.V.E.R.Y. evil work- that means that nothing is off the table to blow up in your face when arguments, carnal behavior and thinking and jealousies and other “flesh” behaviors are given space in your life. What a fire we some times set ablaze with our words! Do what James said- use the creative power of your mouth, “the fruit of your lips” (Hebrews 13:15) to praise the Lord!
Take the Power of Your Mouth to a Whole, New Level!
- LIVE Devotional – “Finding a New Song to Sing”
- “The Mouthpiece of the Heart”
- “I Believe, Therefore I Speak Creates Power or Problems!”
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” ~James 3:17-18
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