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Living Proof
Reflection
Begin your study by sharing thoughts on this question.
1. Think of one person who truly exemplifies godliness. How has that person's life been an example to
you?
Bible Reading
Read James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity
of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be ye doers
of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a
doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way,
and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and
continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's
religion is vain. 27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and
widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
Discovery
Explore the Bible reading by discussing these questions.
2. How does this passage describe living a good life?
3. List some of the ways people can deceive themselves.
4. How does this passage describe people who do not obey God's word?
5. How does God bless those who study and obey his Word?
Question 5. Read Exodus 15:26; Deuteronomy 32:45–47; and 2 Chronicles 14:2–6.
6. How can you practice “pure and undefiled religion”?
Inspiration
Here is an uplifting thought from the Inspirational Study Bible.
According to Gallup surveys, confirmed by other polls taken over the past fifteen years, 33 percent of all
Americans over age eighteen indicate they are evangelical or “born again” Christians. That translates into 59 million
Christians, or one in every three adults, who experienced a turning point in their lives as they made a personal
commitment to Jesus Christ.
This information should grip us with terror. It means that the greatest revival in history has so far been impotent
to change society. It's revival without reformation. It's a revival which left the country floundering
in spiritual ignorance. It's a change in belief without a corresponding change in behavior.…
How did the building blocks of the gospel become glued together with the cement of self-centeredness? The American
gospel has evolved into a gospel of addition without subtraction. It is the belief that we can add Christ to our
lives, but not subtract sin. It is a change in belief without a change in behavior. It is a spiritual experience
without any cultural impact. It is revival without reformation, without repentance.…
The proof of religious conversion is to demonstrate that we have both added a relationship with Christ
and that we have subtracted sin (repentance). And we multiply proof to a weary world by what we do—our deeds, our
obedience. What we do must confirm what we say. Our deeds are the proof of our repentance.…
A changed life is one that has added Christ and subtracted sin, that attracts a world weary of worn-out words.
Obedience is the proof.
(From Walking with Christ in the Details of Life by Patrick Morley)
Response
Use these questions to share more deeply with each other.
7. In what ways should a person's life change after conversion?
8. How does the world pressure us to disobey God's Word?
9. List some practical ways to protect yourself from the world's influence.
Question 9. Ask a group member to read aloud Ephesians 6:10–18. Discuss how we can use the armor of God
to protect ourselves from the world's influence.
Prayer
Father, help us to hear your voice amidst the manifold voices of the world. Help us to put into practice the
timeless truths found in your Word. Most of all, Father, help us remember that you have set us free—free from the
lures of this world. Thank you for your promise that when the Son sets us free, we are free indeed.
Journaling
Take a few moments to record your personal insights from this lesson.
How does God help me remove sin from my life?
Additional Questions
10. In what ways has your life changed since your conversion?
11. Why do we sometimes find it difficult to do what we know is right?
12. In what ways does your life demonstrate to others that you are a Christian?
For more Bible passages on obedience, see Leviticus 19:2; Acts 5:29; Romans 6; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 9:13; Titus
3:1; Hebrews 12:13, 14; 1 Peter 1:14; 1 John 3:24; 2 John 6.
To complete the book of James during this twelve-part study, read James 1:19–27.
From Life Lessons from the Inspired Word of God—Book of James by Max Lucado. Copyright 1996 by Word Publishing.
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