Scripture Reading: James 1:21-27

If Anyone Thinks...

Intro.

1. God tests the hearts of men, saving the upright and punishing the wicked, Psa. 7:9-11.

2. Better to test our hearts now and correct them, than to wait until the day when the Lord will expose and judge the counsels of our hearts, 1 Cor. 4:5.

3. Such a personal testing of our hearts means we must honestly consider how and what and why we think, Prov. 23:7.

a. The heart is deceitful above all things, Jer. 17:9-10.

b. The way of man is not in himself, Jer. 10:23; cf. Isa. 55:8-11.

4. Five times the Scriptures calls on us to consider our thinking.

1 Cor. 8:2: And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.

· Warning against pride and relying on human knowledge and will, 1 Cor. 8:1, 4, 9.

· Pride is of the world, 1 Jno. 2:16; Lk. 18:14.

1. Pride concerns how we think about ourselves, Rom. 12:3.

2. It is self-importance, cf. Lk. 22:24-27; Jno. 13:3-17.

3. Pride brings shame, Prov. 11:2; strife, Prov. 13:10; and suffering, Prov. 16:18.

4. Humble mind of like Christ is our pattern to follow, Phil. 2:5-8.

1 Cor. 14:37: If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.

· Assessment of spiritual things must be made using the standard of apostolic teaching (divine truth), Acts 2:42; Eph. 3:3-5; 2 Ths. 2:15-17.

· Requires sober thinking, cf. 2 Cor. 10:7-9.

1. Many teachers claim apostolic approval, but false, 1 Jno. 4:1, 6; Rev. 2:2.

2. Any refusal to yield to the apostles’ doctrine (NT) is sin! 2 Ths. 3:4

3. The “spiritual” are governed by the Spirit of God – The word He revealed to the apostles, Rom. 8:5-9. Submit to the Spirit’s will.

Gal. 6:3: For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

· Our willingness to give and receive spiritual help is a mark of humility, Gal. 6:1-2.

1. We all need each other in our lives for help, encouragement, spiritual protection, 1 Cor. 12:20-21.

2. Believing we can “go it alone” is prideful, not humble!

· Humility does not compare itself to others, Gal. 6:4 (1-2).

· Humility bears its own responsibilities, Gal. 6:5.

1. We all have work that only we can do and for which we are accountable, Rom. 14:12; 1 Pet. 4:5.

2. We cannot shun our spiritual/moral responsibilities or put them off on others.

Phil. 3:4: though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so:

· Reliance on fleshly things for spiritual security is futile.

1. Heritage, Phil. 3:5; Matt. 3:7-10.

2. Education/training, Phil. 3:5 (Acts 22:3; Gal. 1:14); Jno. 7:15.

3. Experience, 1 Cor. 3:18-20; Jno. 9:34.

· The humble in heart value Christ more than all fleshly advantages, Phil. 3:7-8.

Jas. 1:26: If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless.

· Faithful, God-fearing Christian conforms his/her life to his/her profession of faith, Jas. 1:22-25.

1. Religious action without the heart is vain, Matt. 6:1, 5, 16.

2. Pride deceives one into thinking he is immune from the sins of hypocrisy and self-righteousness, Lk. 18:11.

Conclusion

1. Humility thinks of others and God instead of justifying self in sin and spiritual neglect, 1 Pet. 5:5-6.

2. Humility casts its cares on the Lord and trusts Him, 1 Pet. 5:7.

3. Does God see humility when He tests our hearts?

By: Joe R. Price

Posted: April 17, 2014