Sunday
December 1
1. UNSELFISHLY FAIR
a. Name the last two qualities mentioned in the list of Heaven-born wisdom. James 3:17 (last part).
“The apostle Jude says: ‘Of some have compassion, making a difference.’ This difference is not to be exercised in a spirit of favoritism. No countenance should be given to a spirit that implies: ‘If you favor me, I will favor you.’ This is unsanctified, worldly policy, which displeases God. It is paying favors and admiration for the sake of gain. It is showing a partiality for certain ones, expecting to secure advantages through them. It is seeking their good will by indulgence, that we may be held in greater estimation than others fully as worthy as ourselves.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, pp. 221, 222.
“God is not pleased with the slothful work done in the churches. He expects His stewards to be true and faithful in giving reproof and correction. They are to expel wrong after the rule God has given in His Word, not according to their own ideas and impulses. No harsh means must be used, no unfair, hasty, impulsive work done. The efforts made to cleanse the church from moral uncleanness must be made in God’s way. There must be no partiality, no hypocrisy. There must be no favorites, whose sins are regarded as less sinful than those of others. Oh, how much we all need the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Then we shall always work with the mind of Christ, with kindness, compassion, and sympathy, showing love for the sinner while hating sin with a perfect hatred.”—The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, p. 144.
Monday
December 2
2. RIGHTLY REPRESENTING CHRIST
a. How only can Christ be properly represented in our speech? James 3:18.
“It is possible with our lips to confess Christ yet in our works deny Him. The fruits of the Spirit manifested in the life are a confession of Him. If we have forsaken all for Christ, our lives will be humble, our conversation heavenly, our conduct blameless. The powerful, purifying influence of truth in the soul, and the character of Christ exemplified in the life, are a confession of Him. If the words of eternal life are sown in our hearts, the fruit is righteousness and peace. We may deny Christ in our life by indulging love of ease or love of self, by jesting and joking, and by seeking the honor of the world. We may deny Him in our outward appearance by conformity to the world, by a proud look or costly apparel. Only by constant watchfulness and persevering and almost unceasing prayer shall we be able to exhibit in our life the character of Christ or the sanctifying influence of the truth. Many drive Christ from their families by an impatient, passionate spirit. Such have something to overcome in this respect.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, pp. 303, 304.
b. What common human tendencies that sprinkle into daily life really need to be overcome—and why? James 4:1–3.
“It is a sad thing to be discontented with our surroundings or with the circumstances which have placed us where our duties seem humble and unimportant. Private and humble duties are distasteful to you; you are restless, uneasy, and dissatisfied. All this springs from selfishness. . . .
“Those professed Christians who are constantly whining and complaining, and who seem to think happiness and a cheerful countenance a sin, have not the genuine article of religion.”—Ibid., vol. 3, p. 334.
“Should I eat a double amount now and then, because it tastes good, how could I bow down and ask God to help me in my work of writing, when I could not get an idea on account of my gluttony? Could I ask God to take care of that unreasonable load upon my stomach? That would be dishonoring Him. That would be asking to consume upon my lust. Now I eat just what I think is right, and then I can ask Him to give me strength to perform the work that He has given me to do.”—Ibid., vol. 2, pp. 373, 374.
“When the religion of Christ rules in the heart, conscience approves, and peace and happiness reign; perplexity and trouble may surround, yet there is light in the soul.”—Ibid., vol. 4, p. 47.
Tuesday
December 3
3. ESCAPING COMMON SNARES
a. What key principle is vital in a real connection with Christ, in contrast to a merely superficial faith in name only? James 4:4.
“Those who begin their Christian life by being half and half, will at last be found enlisted on the enemy’s side, whatever may have been their first intentions. And to be an apostate, a traitor to the cause of God, is more serious than death; for it means the loss of eternal life.
“Double-minded men and women are Satan’s best allies. Whatever favorable opinion they may have of themselves, they are dissemblers. All who are loyal to God and the truth must stand firmly for the right because it is right. To yoke up with those who are unconsecrated, and yet be loyal to the truth, is simply impossible. We cannot unite with those who are serving themselves, who are working on worldly plans, and not lose our connection with the heavenly Counselor. We may recover ourselves from the snare of the enemy, but we are bruised and wounded, and our experience is dwarfed.”—The Review and Herald, April 19, 1898.
b. Why must we firmly uproot every single tendency to envy? James 4:5, 6.
“One great defect in the character of Saul was his love of approbation. This trait had had a controlling influence over his actions and thoughts; everything was marked by his desire for praise and self-exaltation. His standard of right and wrong was the low standard of popular applause. No man is safe who lives that he may please men, and does not seek first for the approbation of God.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 650.
“It was envy that made Saul miserable and put the humble subject of his throne in jeopardy. What untold mischief has this evil trait of character worked in our world! The same enmity existed in the heart of Saul that stirred the heart of Cain against his brother Abel, because Abel’s works were righteous, and God honored him, and his own works were evil, and the Lord could not bless him. Envy is the offspring of pride, and if it is entertained in the heart, it will lead to hatred, and eventually to revenge and murder.”—Ibid., p. 651.
“Submission, love, and gratitude to God keep sunshine in the heart, though the day may be ever so cloudy. Self-denial and the cross of Christ are before you. Will you lift the cross?”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 47.
Wednesday
December 4
4. FOCUS AND SUBMISSION
a. What essential factor provides us with genuine, enduring victory in Christ? James 4:7.
“Some feel their need of the atonement, and with the recognition of this need, and the desire for a change of heart, a struggle begins. To renounce their own will, perhaps their chosen objects of affection or pursuit, requires an effort, at which many hesitate and falter and turn back. Yet this battle must be fought by every heart that is truly converted. We must war against temptations without and within. We must gain the victory over self, crucify the affections and lusts; and then begins the union of the soul with Christ. As the dry and apparently lifeless branch is grafted into the living tree, so may we become living branches of the True Vine. And the fruit which was borne by Christ will be borne by all His followers. After this union is formed, it can be preserved only by continual, earnest, painstaking effort. Christ exercises His power to preserve and guard this sacred tie, and the dependent, helpless sinner must act his part with untiring energy, or Satan by his cruel, cunning power will separate him from Christ.
“Every Christian must stand on guard continually, watching every avenue of the soul where Satan might find access. He must pray for divine help and at the same time resolutely resist every inclination to sin. By courage, by faith, by persevering toil, he can conquer. But let him remember that to gain the victory Christ must abide in him and he in Christ.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 47.
b. How does Paul echo the explanation of James regarding spiritual vitality in the Christian life? Romans 6:6–11.
“Worldly-mindedness, selfishness, and covetousness have been eating out the spirituality and life of God’s people.”—Ibid., vol. 1, p. 141.
“We need much firmer faith and more fervent devotion. We need to die to self, and in mind and heart to cherish an adoring love for our Saviour. When we will seek the Lord with all the heart we shall find Him, and our hearts will be all aglow with His love. Self will sink into insignificance, and Jesus will be all and in all to the soul. . . .
“We must draw nigh to God. We must be laborers together with Him, else weakness and mistakes will be seen in all we undertake.”—Ibid., vol. 6, p. 51.
Thursday
December 5
5. PAUSING FOR SOBER PRAYER
a. What assurance and appeal are to resonate to each one of us in the battle against our own evil tendencies? Colossians 3:1–3; James 4:8, 9.
“It is impossible for any to discern the truth while the world has their affections. The world comes between them and God, beclouding the vision and benumbing the sensibilities to such a degree that it is impossible for them to discern sacred things. God calls upon such: ‘Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.’ Those who have stained their hands with the pollution of the world are required to cleanse themselves from its stains. Those who think they can serve the world and yet love God are double-minded. But they cannot serve God and mammon. They are men of two minds, loving the world and losing all sense of their obligation to God, and yet professing to be Christ’s followers. They are neither the one thing nor the other. They will lose both worlds unless they cleanse their hands and purify their hearts through obedience to the pure principles of truth.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, pp. 530, 531.
b. What happens when we bow before God in humility? Psalm 34:18; 1 Peter 5:6, 7.
“If you now humble yourself before God, confess your wrongs, and return to Him with full purpose of heart, yours can yet be a happy family. If you will not do this, but choose your own way, your happiness is at an end.”—Ibid., vol. 2, p. 304.
Friday
December 6
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Deeply searching my inner motives, in what areas might I be a hypocrite?
2. Name some ways by which our words too often mispresent Christ.
3. In what sense is envy a serious denial of faith—and an insult to God?
4. Why do I need to be dead to self in order to be alive in Christ?
5. How does this lesson summarize some real issues I need to overcome?