SB#8
17 November 1997


James 4:11 – 5:6

Avoiding Worldliness



1. outline
(Develop your outline here)



2. textual notes
4:11 speak evil / slander = talk down to, defame, put down, incriminate
v13-16 cf. James 3:14, 1 John 2:15-17
These sins involve self-sufficiency, ignoring God's will, being the master of one's life, materialistic and selfish goals, wrong priorities, forgetting the transitory nature of life, glorifying the self rather than God in one's activities and career, etc., all stemming ultimately from pride.
v16 boasting = same Greek word translated as "pride of life" in 1 Jn 2:16
v17 then = a logical connective/transitional, showing a logical relationship between v17 and the preceding passage

5:1-6

Describes hoarding, fraud, exploitation, indulgence, and betrayal; all stem from covetousness.
To some commentators, James sounds here like the Old Testament prophets who condemned similar injustices; e.g., Deut. 10:16-20 and others.
This passage is probably addressed to both Christian businessmen in the church who have seduced by worldliness, as well as pseudo-Christians, and by way of application, rich people in general who do these things.

5:2-3

cf. Lk 12:33-34, Lk 12:15-21, Mt. 25:24-30, 1 Timothy 6:17-19, Malachi 3:8-12
v4 This speaks of landowners who employed manual laborers
the ears of the Lord of hosts: a quote from Isaiah 5:9 (in LXX) – a phrase that refers to his power, command, omnipotence, and divine resources.
v5 slaughter: speaks of their impending doom, like a fattened animal about to be slaughtered.
cf. Jer. 12:3
v6 cf. James 2:6-7
condemn: may or may not refer to legally condemning in a law court
innocent men = lit., "the righteous man/person" – a generic noun phrase probably representative of a collective plural


3. discussion
Discuss the theme and context of the passage, and how they relate.
What one theme binds these three sections together, and relates them to the preceding passage?
What root cause relates the various problems discussed in this passage together?


A. 4:11-12: speaking evil of others
What are the various ways of speaking evil against another, especially as described by James previously?
Even if something bad about someone is true, should we still say it?
If not, what should we do?
What attitude(s) underlie a judging spirit?
Why is speaking evil of others the same as judging God's law?
What parts of God's law?    
[Eph. 2:14ff., Eph. 4:1-5, Jn 17 (Jesus' prayer for unity), Mt. 7:1-5, Lev. 19:18, 1 Jn 3:11, 2 Jn 6]
How would you answer the rhetorical question in v12?
How might this passage also apply to our attitudes toward others?


B. 4:13-17: boasting and presumptuousness
What attitudes underlie a boasting tongue or mind?
What does it say about a person's attitude toward God?
How can this passage apply also to our thought lives – how we think of ourselves and our future?
To the contrary, what attitudes should we cultivate in order to be godly?
    [see also: Rom. 12:3]
What attitude and behavior does a humble person have?
Is it wrong to plan to the future? How should we then think about our future?
    (Is it enough to just append "God willing" to our statements?)
What are your current plans for the future?
Are they the result of consulting God's will (Rom. 12:1-2), or your own will?
How does v17 relate to the rest of this section?


C. 5:1-6: sins of wealth
What are some of the wrongs committed by some rich people in this passage?
In your own experience? In others' experiences?
Why are these sins forms of pride? How does God view them?
    (cf. Mt. 6:19-21, 24)
Are there ways in which you indulge yourself, rather than helping those in need?
Is James condemning all rich people? How can a rich or successful person remain godly?
What then are proper uses of our money and material things?
Many of us with degrees from this university, especially advanced degrees, will eventually have higher-paying jobs than many others. In light of this, how should you conduct your business and finances? How can you use your future wealth for the sake of God's kingdom, rather than just for yourself?



D. further discussion
Why do you think James speaks with such harshness here?
Can we speak out against injustice, and do so in a godly manner? How?
What attitudes and behaviors do we need to develop to avoid worldliness?
Instead, what attitudes and behaviors do we need to cultivate?
How can we accomplish this?
In doing so, how do we avoid the opposite trap of legalism?
When was the last time you committed one of the sins mentioned in this passage?
Do you have anything to confess and repent of?
see also James 1:21

Study leaders: Develop your own discussion, application, and summary questions here.


4. conclusion
Pray about the specific lessons and spiritual principles from this Bible study, and applying them in your lives. Small group leaders, be sure to pray for your group members throughout the week, and encourage members to pray for each other. And encourage people to attend daily prayer meetings.




1'. Outline:

Three examples of pride, connected with the previous passge: