Growing Spiritually: Action, Authenticity, and Accountability
Summary
In our journey through the book of James, we are called to grow up spiritually, not just grow old. This growth involves three key aspects: accepting God's word, acting on it, and authenticating it in our lives. James, the brother of Jesus, emphasizes the importance of spiritual maturity, urging us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. These actions are not just about controlling our behavior but about transforming our hearts. The anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God, and we must strive to put away all filthiness and wickedness, receiving the implanted word with meekness. This word is powerful, capable of saving our souls and guiding us in our daily lives.
To grow spiritually, we must not only hear the word but also act on it. James warns against deceiving ourselves by merely listening without doing. Our actions should reflect the teachings of the word, much like looking in a mirror and making necessary changes. This requires us to get off autopilot, align our lives with God's word, and continuously apply and repeat this process. Authenticating our faith means living in a way that matches our beliefs, taking ownership of our actions, and prioritizing fruitfulness over fun. Jesus exemplified this by living out his mission and demonstrating his love through his actions.
The Holy Spirit is our helper and guide, empowering us to live out these principles. We must plan to live differently, seeking accountability and support from our Christian community. Whether it's addressing anger, seeking forgiveness, or engaging in discipleship, we are called to take actionable steps towards spiritual maturity. As we reflect on these teachings, let us ask ourselves what changes God is prompting us to make and how we can live out our faith authentically.
Key Takeaways:
1. Spiritual Growth Requires Action: Spiritual maturity involves more than just hearing God's word; it requires us to act on it. By aligning our actions with the teachings of the Bible, we avoid self-deception and experience the blessings of living out our faith. This process involves continuous reflection and application of God's word in our daily lives. [53:53]
2. The Power of Listening and Restraint: Being quick to listen and slow to speak or anger is crucial for spiritual growth. Our words and actions should reflect the righteousness of God, not our human impulses. By controlling our anger and listening with intent, we create space for God's righteousness to manifest in our lives. [44:33]
3. Authenticating Our Faith: Our lives should reflect the faith we profess. This means taking ownership of our actions, prioritizing fruitfulness over fun, and ensuring our conduct aligns with God's word. Authentic faith is demonstrated through actions that match our beliefs, much like Jesus' life and mission. [01:06:53]
4. The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is our guide and helper in living out God's word. While we have responsibilities, such as planning and seeking accountability, the Holy Spirit empowers us to make lasting changes and grow spiritually. We are not alone in this journey; the Spirit equips us to live differently. [01:10:26]
5. Planning for Change: To grow spiritually, we must have a plan for change. This involves identifying areas where we need to align with God's word, seeking support from our community, and taking actionable steps towards transformation. Without a plan, we risk remaining on autopilot and missing out on spiritual growth. [01:11:03]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [38:32] - Introduction to Spiritual Growth
- [39:03] - Accepting God's Word
- [39:39] - Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak
- [40:16] - The Dangers of Anger
- [41:00] - Listening with Intent
- [42:00] - The Overflow of the Heart
- [43:28] - Producing Righteousness
- [44:33] - Putting Away Wickedness
- [45:24] - Trials and Temptations
- [46:14] - Receiving with Meekness
- [47:18] - The Power of God's Word
- [48:13] - Acting on God's Word
- [53:53] - Growing Up Spiritually
- [01:06:53] - Authenticating Our Faith
- [01:10:26] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
- [01:11:03] - Planning for Change
- [01:14:06] - Conclusion and Call to Action
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- James 1:19-27
Observation Questions:
1. What are the three key aspects of spiritual growth mentioned in the sermon, and how do they relate to the teachings in James 1:19-27? [39:03]
2. According to the sermon, why is it important to be "quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger"? How does this align with James 1:19-20? [40:16]
3. How does the sermon describe the process of "authenticating our faith," and what biblical examples are used to illustrate this? [01:06:53]
4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in helping us live out the principles discussed in the sermon? [01:10:26]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "receiving the implanted word with meekness" challenge or affirm your understanding of spiritual growth? [46:14]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that anger can hinder the production of God's righteousness in our lives? [43:28]
3. How does the sermon interpret the metaphor of looking in a mirror in James 1:23-24, and what implications does this have for personal reflection and change? [56:14]
4. What does it mean to "plan for change" in the context of spiritual growth, and how can this be practically implemented in one's life? [01:11:03]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you were quick to speak or become angry. How might applying James 1:19 have changed the outcome? [40:16]
2. Identify an area in your life where you feel you are on "autopilot." What specific steps can you take this week to align that area with God's word? [01:00:12]
3. Consider a time when you heard God's word but did not act on it. What prevented you from taking action, and how can you overcome similar obstacles in the future? [55:19]
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of community and accountability in spiritual growth. Who in your life can you invite to hold you accountable in your journey of faith? [01:10:45]
5. Think of a person or situation that triggers anger in you. What practical steps can you take to respond with the righteousness of God instead of human anger? [44:33]
6. How can you incorporate the practice of "receiving with meekness" into your daily routine, especially when faced with challenges or temptations? [46:14]
7. What is one specific change God is prompting you to make in your life right now, and what is your plan to implement this change? [01:11:03]
Devotional
Day 1: Spiritual Growth Demands Active Engagement
Spiritual maturity is not a passive process; it requires active engagement with God's word. This involves more than just listening; it demands action. By aligning our actions with biblical teachings, we avoid self-deception and experience the blessings of living out our faith. This process is ongoing, requiring continuous reflection and application of God's word in our daily lives. James warns against the danger of merely hearing the word without acting on it, likening it to looking in a mirror and forgetting one's appearance. To truly grow spiritually, we must be intentional about applying what we learn and making necessary changes in our lives. [53:53]
James 1:22-24 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like."
Reflection: Identify one specific teaching from the Bible that you have heard but not yet acted upon. What steps can you take today to begin living out this teaching in your life?
Day 2: The Transformative Power of Listening and Restraint
Being quick to listen and slow to speak or anger is crucial for spiritual growth. Our words and actions should reflect the righteousness of God, not our human impulses. By controlling our anger and listening with intent, we create space for God's righteousness to manifest in our lives. James emphasizes that the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God, urging believers to put away all filthiness and wickedness. This transformation is not just about behavior modification but about a change of heart, allowing God's word to take root and guide us. [44:33]
Proverbs 17:27-28 (ESV): "Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you reacted in anger. How could you have responded differently by being quick to listen and slow to speak? What can you do to practice this restraint in future interactions?
Day 3: Living Out an Authentic Faith
Our lives should reflect the faith we profess. This means taking ownership of our actions, prioritizing fruitfulness over fun, and ensuring our conduct aligns with God's word. Authentic faith is demonstrated through actions that match our beliefs, much like Jesus' life and mission. James calls believers to live in a way that authenticates their faith, showing the world the transformative power of the gospel. This involves a commitment to living out our beliefs consistently, even when it's challenging or inconvenient. [01:06:53]
1 John 3:18 (ESV): "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where your actions do not align with your professed beliefs. What changes can you make to ensure your faith is authentically reflected in your daily conduct?
Day 4: The Empowering Role of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is our guide and helper in living out God's word. While we have responsibilities, such as planning and seeking accountability, the Holy Spirit empowers us to make lasting changes and grow spiritually. We are not alone in this journey; the Spirit equips us to live differently. By relying on the Holy Spirit, we can overcome our weaknesses and live in a way that honors God. This divine empowerment is essential for spiritual growth, enabling us to live out our faith with courage and conviction. [01:10:26]
Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need the Holy Spirit's empowerment to make a change? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen you in this area today?
Day 5: Intentional Planning for Spiritual Transformation
To grow spiritually, we must have a plan for change. This involves identifying areas where we need to align with God's word, seeking support from our community, and taking actionable steps towards transformation. Without a plan, we risk remaining on autopilot and missing out on spiritual growth. James encourages believers to be intentional about their spiritual journey, recognizing the importance of accountability and community support in fostering growth. By planning for change, we position ourselves to experience the fullness of God's transformative work in our lives. [01:11:03]
Proverbs 16:3 (ESV): "Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established."
Reflection: What specific area of your spiritual life needs intentional planning for growth? Who in your community can you seek for support and accountability as you work towards this transformation?
Quotes
1) "You know, sometimes we can be a Christian for a very long time, but guess what? We can fail to grow up. We might grow old without growing up. And that would just be an, that would be an absolute shame. So James, the brother of Jesus, as he's writing the book of James, one of his things that he's calling us to do is to grow up. So today we're going to look at how do we grow up? What's the process? How do we grow up? And in looking at that, we're going to talk about three aspects of growing up that help us reach spiritual maturity. One of the aspects is going to be accepting God's word. The next is going to be to act on the word of God. And the third is going to be to authenticate the word of God." [39:03] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "The mouth says the overflow of the heart. What's going on in the heart normally comes out the mouth. Oh, no, no, that's not really true. Yes, it is. If there's deception in your heart, the deception will come out of your mouth. There's lies in your heart. The lies will come out of your mouth. There's anger in your heart. The anger's going to come out of your mouth. And he starts this with, with being what? Quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to get angered. And he goes, and now he's going to tell you why. He says, for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God." [43:28] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "Meekness is power under control. You have all that power that you need, but how are you using it? When we receive this from the Lord, we've got to understand that we don't see the whole picture. God is explaining to us through his word and through the Holy Spirit that we've had. When James is talking about brothers, he's talking about brothers who believe. The second someone believes, they have the Holy Spirit within them. And the Holy Spirit and God's word within us equips us to live and act different. So we need to receive that word with all meekness. And it's this implanted word that we've got from the Holy Spirit, from God's word, which is able to save your soul." [47:18] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "We grow up by acting on the word of God. Not just hearing it, but acting on it. We grow up. I don't know if you guys ever saw this or not, ever experienced this, but have you ever been to a grocery store where you see this little kid and they're throwing an absolute temper tantrum? Tell me you've never seen it at a grocery store, right? All of us have seen it. We've either seen it or we were their parent and that was our kid, right? And we're like, ah. And have you ever thought, when you see this kid acting crazy, have you ever thought, well, somebody just spanked that kid, you know? But what's going on? That kid is throwing a whole temper tantrum. We want to look at that kid and say, what? Grow up. We want that kid to act like an adult. Act older." [53:53] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "When you don't live out what you see in God's word, guess what happens? You're getting the small side of the brownie. You're getting cheated. You're cheating yourself. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and is not a doer, what's he like? I love that he uses a man, not a woman here. You guys are going to notice that, right? He is like a man who looks intently at his face in the mirror, right? Because if it was a woman, it would be different, right? Because women like take a little bit more time. But a man, what does he do? He intently looks at his face in the mirror and goes away and at once forgot what he looked like." [56:14] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "If we don't grab on to God's word and this perfect law and live it out, what happens is we become old, but we don't grow up. We don't grow up. This is something that's really neat too. He goes, and he will be blessed in his doings. Do you see there's a blessing? There's a blessing attached to as we obey God's word. Don't you want that blessing? I know for me, I want that blessing. I want every blessing that's available to me. Let me give a for instance of this. The Bible says more blessed to give than receive. The Bible says that when we give to the Lord, what does he do? He repays back to us fold after fold after fold. Man, I've experienced that and seen that in my life." [59:11] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "How do we authenticate by God's word? When your conduct and your character come from God's word, that's how we authenticate. It's real when your conduct and your character come from God's word. It's one thing if you get up here on Sunday morning and Don, you talk a lot, but if you don't act like it, it means nothing. My conduct and my words have got to go together. And they've got to be based off from God's word. How do we authenticate by God's word? When you choose ownership, not blaming. Over and over and over, James is telling them, do this, do this, do this. Go to the widows, go to the orphans. What happens when you spend the whole time blaming everybody else for where you're at? There's no authentication in that. You're pretending." [01:06:26] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "We grow up by living out these three aspects of spiritual maturity. One, by accepting God's word. Two, by acting on God's word. And three, by being authenticated by God's word. Jesus says to John the Baptist, he says, I am living out who I said I was. He says to John the Baptist, guess what? I have said that I'm going to love people. Watch me authenticate it as I go to the cross and die on your behalf. If someone says that they love you and they're willing to die for you, that's real. If someone says that they love you and they're not willing to die for you, maybe that's not love. Maybe that's infatuation, concern. Maybe that's whatever else. But Jesus authenticated his love by his actions. He lived it out." [01:09:13] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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