GET RIGHT WITH GOD

The Book Of James

Chapters 3–5

We are in a season where God is calling His people to maturity. Not performance. Not perfection. But real, Spirit-led maturity. James, the brother of Jesus, doesn’t pull punches in chapters 3 through 5. He cuts straight to the heart calling us to examine what we say, why we say it, and how we pray.

This isn’t just a teaching. It’s a wake-up call.

Don’t Crave the Mic if You Can’t Carry the Cross

Read : James 3:1–12

James opens this chapter by challenging those who desire to be teachers or spiritual leaders:

“Not many of you should become teachers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” – James 3:1

Why? Because words matter. When we open our mouths, we influence others. God holds leaders and teachers accountable for what they say—and so should we.

The Tongue is Small but Destructive

• James compares the tongue to a small spark that sets a forest on fire, a rudder that steers a whole ship, and a poison that stains everything. In simple terms: what you say reveals who you are.

"Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." – Luke 6:45

What you fill yourself with is what will come out. If you’re constantly speaking doubt, gossip, pride, or negativity, that isn’t from God.

Let’s be honest, this applies to your posts, captions, group chats, and DMs. Just because it’s online doesn’t mean it’s harmless.

"Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry." – James 1:19

As believers, we are not called to react emotionally. We are called to respond spiritually. Ask yourself: Does what I’m about to say or post honor God?

Discipleship Step

Spend time this week evaluating your speech and your online presence. Are your words a reflection of God’s glory or your own frustration?

James 4

James doesn’t shift gears he goes deeper.

He exposes the real reason we fight, argue, and act out.

“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” – James 4:1

There is a war inside each of us. The battle is between the flesh and the Spirit.

The Posture of the Heart

We often pray but don’t receive because our motives are selfish. James says we ask wrongly, not for God's glory, but to satisfy our own desires.

“You adulterous people! Don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God?” – James 4:4

James uses strong language because compromise is serious. You can’t be half in and half out. You can’t be close to the world and close to God.

Discipleship Step

Ask God to reveal any area in your life where you're seeking your own way over His. Then:

• Submit to God

• Resist the devil

• Draw near to God

• Purify your heart (James 4:7–8)

James 5

Now James brings everything to a close with a deep call to faith in action.

“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous person has great power.” – James 5:16

Fervent Prayer

Fervent prayer is not about volume or emotion. It is consistent, faith-filled, and spiritually grounded. Elijah prayed for rain and didn’t stop praying until the rain came. That’s what fervency looks like.

Giving God Your Time

Jesus gave His time to the Father. He withdrew to pray, not when it was convenient, but as a priority.

Many of us say, "God, here is my life." But God is asking for more than lip service. He wants your calendar, your time.

"Lord, not just here is my life, but here is my schedule. I’m putting You first."

Jesus is coming soon.

The world is aching.

Our hearts must be ready.

This is not the time to play Christian. This is the time to be transformed.

So let your mouth honor Him. Let your heart be submitted. Let your prayer life be consistent.

As a church, we are declaring these in our personal prayer lives. You can download them below as phone wallpapers

Three Prayer Declarations:

1. God, tame my tongue.
Only You can do so. Place Your words in my mouth so that when I speak, the only glory is Yours.
Let my voice be a reflection of You.

2. God, purify my heart.
Make my heart be filled with Your Holy Spirit, and let it pour out Your grace and mercy to those around me.

3. God, I commit my time back to You.
I choose today to honor You from this day forward.
I will give You my time. I will seek You first — in everything, big or small.
I honor You.