Things That Hinder our Spiritual Growth

James 1:17-26

INTRODUCTION: How can we keep from falling into temptation? The way is found in a close relationship with God and the application of his Word to daily life. This pattern will lead us to see clearly that every good and perfect gift is from above.

When James speaks to everyone here, he is especially referring to teachers (see 3:1). What they need to listen to is God’s Word (1:18). The expression quick to listen is a beautiful way of capturing the idea of active listening. We are not simply to refrain from speaking; we are to be ready and willing to listen. Quick also implies a readiness to obey what we hear.

FILTHY TALK (James 1:19)
It is Contrary to The Word of God (Phil. 1:27). The Christian should live by the Word of God.
It is a True Revelation Of The Character (2 Pet. 2:7; Eph. 2:3; 4:22) Our Character tells what we really are.
It Is a Revelation Of the Individual’s Heart (Matt. 12:34-35).

We have two ears but only one mouth, that we may hear more and speak less. -Zeno

THE DESIRES OF THE OLD MAN (Rom. 6:6; James 1:21)
Christian Instructed to “Lay Aside ALL Filthiness.”
Christian Instructed To “Lay Aside ALL Superfluity (excessive wickedness)” (see Jeremiah 17:9 and 1 Corinthians 5:1-7).
Christian Instructed To “Lay Aside ALL Naughtiness” (disobedience).
Disobedience to the moral law of God.
Disobedience to the Written Word of God.

THE TEMPER IS ANOTHER GREAT HINDRANCE (James 1:19-20)
The Temper is Probably One of the Hardest Things the Christian has to get rid of (see Phil. 4:13 and 19).
The Temper is of the Flesh (Gal. 5:24)

FAILURE TO CULTIVATE CHRISTIAN CHARACTER (James 1:22; Gal. 5:22-26).
Failure to PRAY (1 Thess. 5:17; James 5:16).
Failure to Study God’s Word (John 20:30-31; 2 Tim. 2:15).
Failure to HIDE God’s Word in our Heart (Psalms 119:11).
Failure to ATTEND The House of God REGULARLY (Hebrews 10:25; 1 Cor. 16:2; Psalms 122:1; 26:8).

CONCLUSION:
We hear the Word and are convicted of some defect, some shortcoming, some failure that we need to clean up. But as soon as we walk out from under the Word, we are distracted by the world and its affairs and we soon forget to do what the Word of God told us to do.

The person who hears and does the Word of God is blessed. Note that the Word of God is called the perfect law of liberty. This means that the Word of God will set a person free from the bondages of sin and death. The Word of God will free a person from all the temptations of this life and give him the full and victorious life for which his soul longs.

A person who does and lives the Word of God will find that he is freed from all that enslaves his soul upon earth.

“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 Jn. 2:15-16).

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