Belief affects behavior

James, the half-brother of Jesus writes to believers who may have dispersed after the death of Stephen or because of persecution. Verse 2 says to count it all joy when you face trials for the testing of your faith will produce patience. Although this seems like an oxymoron to be patient and joyful through trials -it will take a conscious act of your will. God gives tests to prove and increase the strength and quality of one's faith and to demonstrate its validity. Verse 5 – wisdom mentioned here is not a philosophical speculation but wisdom that is contained in the absolutes of God's will which is revealed in His Word! If you don't know - ask for wisdom from God - this wisdom will get you through those trials and tribulations. Trials drive us to a greater dependency on God because we are inadequate to deal with them and we must see that clearly (Romans 11:33). God's wisdom is available to those who seek it. Verse 6 - Ask in faith - no doubts! When you doubt you are like the waves of the sea tossing and turning not able to settle. Verse 7 - double-minded - unstable in all ways - If you are double-minded your mind and soul is divided between God and the world. Verse 12 -18 - Believers who endure trials are blessed. God doesn't tempt us - every good and perfect gift comes from God. Verse 19 - Be swift to hear and slow to speak - a lesson we must all learn. You can't hear and learn if you're talking all the time! What is God trying to say to you through His Word - through others? Verse 21 - lay aside filthiness and wickedness (evil desire or intent) and receive the implanted word - the Word of truth! Verse 22 - be doers - professing Christians who are content with only hearing the Word have made a serious spiritual miscalculation - You are deceiving yourself if you think you can hear without doing. Some act as if they are auditing the study of the Word - an auditor listens and is there to take in what is said, but takes no responsibility in meeting requirements. Verse 23 -24 - unless after hearing the Word we promptly make the changes and improvements that the Word revealed to us, we will forget what they were and never become doers. Verse 25 - we will be blessed after we have heard the Word and continue in it and are not forgetful hearers. As the Holy Spirit applies the principles of God's Word to our hearts it frees us from the bondage of sin and enables us to obey God. If one doesn't believe he will passively hear and won't do - or he will choose to do only what he believes. When you believe in something there is a response - a belief brings about action - a mindset, a way of thinking and living. Once we have heard the Word - if we believe it - our response must be a behavior that exemplifies what we say we believe!