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Introduction
So, this evening, we draw even closer to finishing our study of James.
Last week, we concluded the second section which included verses 7-11.
In that study, we learned much about patience.
God desires that we, as believers, endure until His return with much longsuffering and patience.
Now, as we move into this next section, the Holy Spirit identifies 4 different circumstances which will try our patience.
How many of you who are this evening know what it means to have someone or something try your patience?
Imagine all of us have experienced it multiple times.
It is important to remember that this book started out informing us that we will encounter many trials and temptations.
Early, in the first chapter, the Holy Spirit encourages us to “count it all joy” when we are tried.
Now, as we finish out this book, the Holy Spirit once again brings us back to that topic and the fact that we can patiently endure if we do things God’s way.
Let’s read our text and then we will begin identify four different circumstances every believe will encounter that will try your patience.
Then, with each circumstance, the Holy Spirit gives instruction concerning how we should handle each one.
Let me give you for the five circumstances and then we will work through each one.
I can assure that we will not do all four this evening.
However, we will go as far as time allows and pick up where we leave off next week.
Here are the five!
Circumstance #1 - Times which tempt us to use corrupt communication.
[James 5:12]
Circumstance #2 - Times of emotional swings.
[James 5:13]
Circumstance #3 - Times of sickness.
[James 5:14-15]
Circumstance #4 - Times of sin.
[James 5:16-18]
Circumstance #5 - Times when a fellow believer sins.
[James 5:19-20]
We begin the journey to the end of James with the first circumstance.
Read with me again James 5:12
Our first circumstances is...
Times Which Tempt Us to Use Corrupt Communication
I use the term “corrupt communication” since encompasses all communication that does not meet God’s standard of righteousness.
A thought we will come back to in a bit.
I do, however, find it amazing how much God’s Word spends talking about the way we communicate specifically through our mouth.
Remember James 3. The entire first part of that chapter was spent teaching us the danger of the tongue.
Now that we are coming to conclusion of this book, the Holy Spirit once again gently reminds us to be careful about our speech.
Today’s society has a huge problem.
It is common practice for everyone to be “potty mouth.”
By that, I mean there is vulgarity to the people’s language today that has not existed before.
It seems as if everyone curse like a sailor these days, even believers.
Not too long ago, I ran into a “casual” attender of our church on my day off.
On those days, I am usually dressed with work clothes and a hat.
Initially, the person did not recognize me.
Under the circumstances, this person was not happy and upon seeing me the continued to express their unhappiness along with some colorful language.
After a few minutes, I proceed to say, “You know I haven’t seen you in church in a while.
We sure do miss you!”
At the moment, the person I was conversing with realized who I was.
Let’s just say their was awkward moment right about them.
Swear Not
My point is this.
Language has digressed.
Cursing and using profane words is common place.
However, in the life a true believer, there is no place for such distasteful verbiage.
That is the point of this verse.
Now, note this.
How a person speaks is reflective of that person’s true inner self.
Christ taught this very fact.
This is a very descriptive picture of what goes in comes out.
Physically, we eat and what we eat goes into the belly.
However, as many of you experience, sooner or later it comes out the other end.
Not trying to be graphic, just factual.
By the way, that is the same thing Christ said.
However, the things that come out of the mouth are the things that are in a person’s heart.
Note the things that flow out of a sinful heart - evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.
Those last two terms are the things which come out of the mouth.
They are corrupt communications.
As such, Christ states the truth.
Our mouth reveals our heart.
As you consider our text, James 5:12, in conjunction with the entire Word of God, there are
Four Ways a Person Swears
Oath Swearing
This particular is not corrupt communication, however, it can turn into corrupt communication.
This form of swearing is also the form mentioned in our text.
In Greek, it means to affirm or deny something with an oath.
We find this type in our court systems.
A person who takes the stand as witness in a trial must first take an oath (swear) that they are telling the truth and nothing but the truth.
Thus, by their oath, they attesting that what they are going to say can be trusted as the truth.
It is interesting that Christ was asked to attest to veracity of witnesses against Him at His trial before the Sanhedrin.
Here is how He handled the situation.
Did you notice anything here that relates to our text?
Christ was tempted by these men to swear an oath that the lies for true or false.
What was His reaction?
He “held is peace.”
He neither said yea or nay.
Instead, answers the High Priest’s outrage by stating “Thou has said.”
In doing so, Christ made no oath and remained a man of faithful character.
You see a man’s word is his bond.
Thus, the Holy Spirit encourages believers to consider what they say before they say it.
Swear not.
Do not make any oath or swear to anything unless you have greatly considered the consequence.
It is best to just keep your yes as yes and your no as no.
Consider two important thoughts here.
The first thought is that if you are trustworthy in your daily walk with the Lord and with others, your word is enough.
A yea becomes a yea and a nay becomes a nay.
There is no need to swear or make oaths.
This reminds me of our tendency to say “If I am being honest” or “ In all honesty.”
Should a believer have to say such things?
The answer is no.
For each believer is called to live that is righteous and trustworthy before the Lord and men.
This thought leads me to the second one.
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