“Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom.” (James 4:9)

The insatiable pursuit of happiness is the devil’s trick to keep us from self-examination.  We aren’t always meant to be happy.  Sometimes, we should be sad – especially if that sorrow leads us to repentance of sin.  James warns us that the effort to cover our sins with laughter and fun or to rationalize our sins away with pride and self-deception is both wrong and only a temporary fix.  The sin is not expunged by us ignoring it.

The only path to forgiveness is godly sorrow.  A mourning over our sin brings us humbly to the presence of God, hat in hand, to seek redemption.  A heart that is gloomy with the sorrow over its errors is ready to be forgiven and exalted.

Don’t be afraid to grieve over sin.  That mourning leads to reflection, repentance, and joy in Christ.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“But no one came tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.” (James 3:8)

An untamed beast makes surprising and unexpected decisions when instinct kicks in, and so does the tongue.  What we really think slips out even when we try and control it.  In the heat of the moment, or in a thoughtless quip, we say something that we hadn’t properly measured or considered.  It will happen – you can’t tame the tongue.

So, if you can’t tame it, you must go deeper.  Jesus says that “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45).  Our tongue is the spigot, but our heart is the well.  Fill your heart with good things – charity, kindness, love, sympathy, grace, mercy, and truth.  Overflow the wellsprings of your heart with that which is right, and what will slip out of your untameable tongue will be pure.

The tongue is the symptom; the heart is the thing we must empty of bitterness, selfish ambition, pride and jealousy.  If the heart is full of good treasures, the tongue will speak accordingly.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.” (James 2:10)

Don’t confuse doing the right thing some of the time with being righteous.  You may have never murdered anyone, but that doesn’t clear your rap sheet of the charges of pride, greed, or laziness.

Sin is any act that falls short of the righteousness of God.

Don’t look down on others because they sin differently than you, and don’t elevate yourself based upon the sins you haven’t committed.

Prisons are full of all different types of criminals.  Imagine a bunch of inmates try to prove which one is the best – even if one wins, he is still behind bars.  The winner and the loser get the same prize.

Own your sin, so He can forgive it.  Repentance is the beginning of the road to redemption.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“…and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation because like flowering grass, he will pass away.” (James 1:10)

Every American is rich, and we are all seeing that wealth chipped away by inflation, gas prices, wars, and rumors of wars.  What an excellent chance for us to glory in our humilitation!

Isn’t it humiliating that it only takes a dip in the stock market to change the mood of the rich?

Isn’t it humiliating that a jump in gas prices can get us all worked up and complaining?

Isn’t it humiliating that we go the grocery store that carries thousands of items and are fouled up so easily by our favorite product not being on the shelf?

The humiliation of the rich is that our riches aren’t nearly as powerful as we think they are.  Riches can’t buy joy, and they can’t buy peace.

Good news!  Jesus is giving that stuff away for free!  Embrace the humiliation.  It will lead us rich folks straight to Him.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11)

The book of Ephesians is about God’s plan for the church, but it also reminds us that the devil has plans, too.  Satan means ‘adversary’, and so he is.  You have to factor him into the equation.

Sometimes things go wrong in your life because of the devil.  When you start to get into a Bible reading routine, don’t be surprised when the devil throws a couple emergencies in to try and break up your good habits.

When you start working on your character, don’t be surprised when the devil takes and throws a couple extra temptations your way.  Sometimes old habits die hard because Satan is trying to resurrect them.

From stressors to discouragement to prosperity, the serpent has a way of looking for ways to slither right into your life and stop progress.

Armor up.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“…and there must be no filthiness and silly talk or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.” (Ephesians 5:4)

Some things just don’t fit together.  Shorts and cowboy boots are not a good life choice.  Black socks and sandals are apparently a no-no (just ask my kids!).

You know what also doesn’t fit together?  Crude jokes and a Christian mouth.  Filthy language and a life of faith just don’t work well together.  They are like putting toothpaste in your coffee or scrambled eggs with your chocolate.  It ain’t right.

We represent the King at all times – guard your mouth.  And if you don’t know what to say, the verse also answers that question: “but rather giving of thanks”.  A grateful voice is always a good choice.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“…until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13)

When Cain struck down Abel, his line of defense to God was, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”  This angry retort was a defensive mechanism to hide his sin, but it also uncovered a very real temptation for us all – the temptation to view our lives as islands.

Ephesians sings a different song than Cain.  It speaks of unity within the church… the type of unity found in diverse people bearing one another’s burdens and striving together “until we all attain”.

MY success is not good enough.  OUR success is the goal.

What does such unity look like in practical terms?  It is seen in weeping together at funerals and visitations.  It is seen in rejoicing together at birthday parties and get-togethers.  It is seen in mentoring of the next generation and in the care of the aging one.  It is seen in conversations about our faith held in our homes and gathered around coffee tables.  Ephesians cries for us to follow the Lord together.

We are one, and we rise to meet our Lord together.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us…” (Ephesians 3:20)

Remember – God is more powerful and creative than you are.  We don’t have the capacity in this earthly body to comprehend the answers He can give.  Sometimes, we don’t even have the ability to know the right questions to ask, let alone the answers.

So next time you are wondering how God is going to work things out… remember, the inability for you to see the solution is your problem, not His.  Our lack of imagination is not the same as God lacking ability.

Live by faith.  Pray without ceasing.  Wait on the Lord…

Then be amazed out how abundant His power is to work in your life.  A life of faith is a front row seat to the plan of God in action.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“…in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.” (Ephesians 2:2)

The prince of the power of the air is a reference to Satan.  He has the kind of power seen in a hurricane or a tornado – destructive power that eventually evaporates into thin air.  And how does that power work exactly?  What is the general essence or spirit behind Satan’s schemes?

The spirit of disobedience.  Satan’s power is found in his ability to stir us up into insurrection and rebellion.  When we are tempted by selfishness and personal authority, the devil gleefully wreaks his chaos.  He does it in marriages, friendships, churches, and society.  A ‘me first’ culture leads to the whirlwind of division, hatred, pain, and rebellion against God.

Satan’s power is in turning each of us toward disobedience.  If he can get us to shake our fist at God and say, “Who are You to tell me what to do?!”, then he has infected us with his deadly poison of rebellion.

Obedience to God is not weak.  Subjection to the gracious, kind intention of our Lord is the strongest thing you can do with your life.  Weak souls must rebel to “prove” their strength.  Be strong; don’t follow the pack.  Choose obedience.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“…with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.” (Ephesians 1:10)

The news is full of talk about “this administration” or “the previous administration”; as we follow current events, we are constantly reminded of the fact that there are government entities across the globe managing the affairs of mankind.  All of these administrations are temporary, and they are all consistently shown to be incapable of meeting the needs of mankind.

Governments come and governments go.  Some are better than others, but all are flawed.  This was as true in the days of the apostle Paul as it is true today.  The early Christians recognized the inferiority of earthly administrations.

Enter Jesus.  With a view to an eternal administration unencumbered by man’s corruption and mortality, God set up an eternal kingdom with perfect governance.  All things are summed up in Christ.  The nations rage, and the rulers of this world enjoy their fleeting moments.  Jesus endures.

His administration is over both heaven and earth.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites