GRINDIT podcast Randall Tucker

Why do continue to sin after we are washed in the blood of Jesus and filled with the Holy Spirit? Because we have a choice: we can choose to continue to live for God and what He desires, drawing near to Him, or we can choose to give into fleshly desires, give into temptation that separates us from God. It takes humility and self-discipline to follow God and to do what He desires for us and far too often, we fall short and allow temptation to win out and we give into sin that separates us from God. It’s a daily struggle and the struggle is real. Paul even wrestled with it claiming he was the chief of all sinners. But we have help because God has given us His Spirit as a helper and He promises us that He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can handle and He also promises a way of escape. We have to make the right choice: flee from sin and run to God!

James has been writing his letter to confront the followers of Jesus who have been scattered abroad because of persecution to quit sinning. He is trying to get these believers to realize who they are in Christ and who lives inside them, God’s Spirit, therefore, they need to live like it! Their problem is they are trying to live for Jesus while living for the world too! Instead of doing what God desires, they are giving in to fleshly desires, which is sin, and they don’t even show any remorse for their choices. James tells them to do a heart check and get back where they belong...separated from the world and close to God!

Before breaking down James 4, we interview James Seiler, pastor of Authentic Church, 322 Lindsay Street, Alcoa, TN....where we worship! Come see at 10am on Sundays!

A trickle a day won't grow a plant. It must be watered daily. Why do we think we can have a relationship with God with just a trickle here and there? We have to be in the word, praying, communicating with God every day, several times a day! What kind of relationship would yo have with your spouse or friend if there was barely any communication? Jesus desires to have an intimate relationship with us, to spend quality time with us and if we want to grow our faith, we must spend time with him, communicating regularly with him!

James tells his readers, "If you are wise and understand God's ways...prove it! We, as humans, have come a long way since the Tower of Babel. Not only did we try and build a tower to heaven, we have launch rockets into outer space! We are so wise and so smart...we even have "Smart" technology, but does this really make us wise? Do we really think we can understand God's ways? How can we find the wisdom James is speaking of, godly wisdom? How can we know God so we can also know His ways? We have to be in the word. It's all about a relationship with the risen Savior, spending time with him on a daily basis. We can actually be wise and know God's ways because He has revealed Himself in the flesh and dwelt among man....His name is Jesus. Get to know him!

James says, "If you are wise, prove it by living an honorable life and doing good works from humility." He is talking to believers who wanted to be teachers in the church but could not control their mouths. Why? Because they are allowing their flesh to control their actions; their hearts are full of jealousy and selfish ambition. James says godly wisdom is pure, peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. Which describes you? Are you controlled by the flesh or by the Spirit? What is coming from your heart? How do you know? Ask a friend, your spouse, a coworker...they'll tell you what is coming from your mouth because that is really your heart!