Sword Drill

Happy Sunday!  

James chapter 1 is amazing!  Well you know I love the Word, and it's all beautiful to me, so I'm bias.  Today in Children's Church we were learning about the magnetic pull of the Holy Spirit, and James 1:14 was one of the scriptures for our Sword Drill.  What's a Sword Drill?  So glad you asked.  Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."(KJV).  As a Christian, the Word is like a sword.  Not to cut other people with, but to cut the enemy to pieces.  Remember the whole armor of God described in Ephesians 6?  Verse 17 of Ephesians 6 says, "And take the helmet of salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:"(KJV).  We are supposed to be as familiar with the Word as a soldier is with his weapon.  I show the children a scripture on the screen, and they race to be the first to find it in their bibles.  Then I have them read it in front of the class.  Of course, there are prizes...right now it's Rice Krispies Treats and Pringles packed in those handy small individual packs.  

So, back to James 1:14. It says, "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed."(KJV).  The Holy Spirit draws us to God, and the things of God.  But their are other forces at work to draw us away from God, and the things of God.  The Apostle James is writing to Believers.  He had probably heard people say that God tempted them to do something, and he wants to clarify.  In the previous verse he assures them that God cannot be tempted, and doesn't tempt anyone.  When we are tempted it is our own lust or desire that draws us away from God.  The Apostle John echoed this sentiment, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."(1 John 2:15-16, KJV).  The Living Bible translation of this scripture is straight and to the point, "Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love these things you show that you do not really love God; for all these worldly things, these evil desires—the craze for sex, the ambition to buy everything that appeals to you, and the pride that comes from wealth and importance—these are not from God. They are from this evil world itself. And this world is fading away, and these evil, forbidden things will go with it, but whoever keeps doing the will of God will live forever."(also included vs 17).

God is not against us having things, He's opposed to the things having us.  There is a big difference.  A few verses later, it's proven right here in this chapter.  Verse 17 says, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."(KJV).  Don't miss this!  God wants you to have the BEST!  He loves you and wants to show you off to the world!  Matthew 5:16 says, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may SEE your good works, and GLORIFY your Father which is in heaven."(KJV).  

I will leave you with the Voice translation of James 1:17, "Every good gift bestowed, every perfect gift received comes to us from above, courtesy of the Father of lights. He is consistent. He won’t change His mind or play tricks in the shadows".  

Love and prayers, Cynthia