#BibleLesson Timeless Truths. God’s Keys to Maturity – Part B
This is the second post in a ten-week Developing a Faith that Works Series. There are five lessons, each divided into two parts. URLs from previous weeks are listed as part of this opening statement.
URLs.
1/24/2021 - https://mychristiancontext.blogspot.com/2021/01/biblelesson-timeless-truths-gods-keys.html
From last week:
What Maturity is NOT
- It's not age. God’s ideal is to mature with growth.
- It’s not appearance.
- It’s not achievement.
- It’s not academics.
MATURITY IS ATTITUDE! (Your CHARACTER)
A. A Mature Person is positive under pressure.
B. A Mature Person is sensitive to people around her/him.
Part 2
C. A Mature Person has Mastered his/her mouth
- Loose lips destroy lives.
- Whoever gossips to you will gossip about you.
2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. James 3:2 (See also vv3-11)
- Say things that build people up.
- James uses a boat’s rudder and a horse’s bit as an example of the tongue in Chapter 3
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29
- What you say can destroy or preserve someone’s life.
26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. James 1:26
- Use no corrupt, negative words.
- Speak the truth in love.
D. A Mature Person is a Peacemaker, Not a Troublemaker
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? James 4:1
- A lack of conflict in life is a sign of maturity.
- Conflict is ego and pride taking over
TWO SOURCES OF CONFLICT
Selfishness
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine. (Proverbs 3:9-10
Judgementalism
- You are not God.
- Only God has all the facts.
- Only God knows motives.
E. A Mature Person is Patient and Prayerful
7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains... 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. James 5:7,11
- James uses both words prayer and patient four times in Chapter 5.
- The only way to learn patience is to wait.
Maturity Check List
- How do you handle problems? See point A.
- Are you sensitive to other people? We all need to be sensitive to one another. See Point B.
- Can you manage your mouth? You can damage people by innuendo. See point C.
- Are you a troublemaker or a peacemaker? This includes holding grudges, too. See point D.
- How long can you wait for an answer to prayer without giving up? See point E.
HOW DO YOU RATE?
If you didn’t see it with your own eyes,
and/or hear it with your own ears…
Don’t invent it in a small mind, then
say it with a big mouth.
Commit to making time each week to measure your Christian walk against the standard James presents.
End of Part 2
Thanks to Pastor Larry Pitcher for the primary teachings in this post.
SEO: Bible study, New Testament, thinking, knowing God
Follow me on
Facebook (minimally): https://www.facebook.com/CRDowningAuthor
My website is: www.crdowning.com
Email: crd.author@gmail.com
My Blogs
Life as I see it. Topics rotate between those of general interest to lovers of life, authors, teachers—probably you, too. Occasional posts on Mondays or Tuesdays. http://crdowning-author.blogspot.com/?alt=rss
My Christian Context. Posts Monday/Wednesday of discussion questions. Thursdays - Timeless Truths. Fridays - Expressions of Faith. https://mychristiancontext.blogspot.com/
I appreciate your feedback on Blogger!
Comments
Post a Comment