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Sabbath Bible Lessons

Studies in the Epistle of James

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Lesson 5 Sabbath, November 2, 2024

Overcoming Bias

MEMORY TEXT: “For there is no respect of persons with God” (Romans 2:11).

“God recognizes no distinction of rank. With Him there is no caste. In His sight, men are simply men, good or bad. In the day of final reckoning, position, rank, or wealth will not alter by a hairsbreadth the case of anyone. By the all-seeing God, men will be judged by what they are in purity, in nobility, in love for Christ.”—Counsels on Stewardship, p. 162.

Suggested Reading:   Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, pp. 304–309, 320–329. 

Sunday October 27

1. AN ATTITUDE PROBLEM

a. Describe a common earthly tendency we may be guilty of, perhaps without even realizing it. James 2:1–4.

“The poor should be treated with as much interest and attention as the rich. The practice of honoring the rich and slighting and neglecting the poor is a crime in the sight of God. Those who are surrounded with all the comforts of life, or who are petted and pampered by the world because they are rich, do not feel the need of sympathy and tender consideration as do persons whose lives have been one long struggle with poverty.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 551.

“Although Christ was rich in the heavenly courts, yet He became poor that we through His poverty might be made rich. Jesus honored the poor by sharing their humble condition. From the history of His life we are to learn how to treat the poor.”—Ibid., p. 550.

b. What must we realize about those who may be poor in this world’s goods but rich in faith? James 2:5.


Monday October 28

2. DISCERNMENT AND FAIRNESS

a. Explain the balanced approach that Jesus taught with regard to helping the poor. Mark 14:3–9.

“Some carry the duty of beneficence to extremes and really hurt the needy by doing too much for them. The poor do not always exert themselves as they should. While they are not to be neglected and left to suffer, they must be taught to help themselves.

“The cause of God should not be overlooked that the poor may receive our first attention. Christ once gave His disciples a very important lesson on this point. When Mary poured the ointment on the head of Jesus, covetous Judas made a plea in behalf of the poor, murmuring at what he considered a waste of money. But Jesus vindicated the act, saying: ‘Why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on Me.’ ‘Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.’ By this we are taught that Christ is to be honored in the consecration of the best of our substance. Should our whole attention be directed to relieving the wants of the poor, God’s cause would be neglected. Neither will suffer if His stewards do their duty, but the cause of Christ should come first.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, pp. 550, 551.

b. In ancient Israel, what attitude was required of those who administered justice? Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 1:17; 10:17.

c. Today, how should all in any church leadership capacity learn to apply this same principle? 1 Peter 1:17; Colossians 3:25.

“Those who link their affections and interest to one or two, and favor them to the disadvantage of others, should not retain their position in the office for a day. This unsanctified partiality for special ones who may please the fancy, to the neglect of others who are conscientious and God-fearing, and in His sight of more value, is offensive to God. That which God values we should value. The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit He regards of higher value than external beauty, outward adornment, riches, or worldly honor.”—Ibid., vol. 3, p. 24.


Tuesday October 29

3. FORMING BETTER HABITS

a. What rebuke does James give regarding the materialistic bias of professed believers—and why is this a serious matter? James 2:6, 7.

“God has acknowledged you before men and angels as His child; pray that you may do no dishonor to the ‘worthy name by which ye are called.’ James 2:7. God sends you into the world as His representative. In every act of life you are to make manifest the name of God. This petition calls upon you to possess His character. You cannot hallow His name, you cannot represent Him to the world, unless in life and character you represent the very life and character of God. This you can do only through the acceptance of the grace and righteousness of Christ.”—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 107.

b. How only can we be victorious in rightly representing Christ? Romans 2:11; Proverbs 23:7.

“Study carefully the divine-human character, and constantly inquire, ‘What would Jesus do were He in my place?’ This should be the measurement of our duty. Do not place yourselves needlessly in the society of those who by their arts would weaken your purpose to do right, or bring a stain upon your conscience. Do nothing among strangers, in the street, on the cars, in the home, that would have the least appearance of evil. Do something every day to improve, beautify, and ennoble the life that Christ has purchased with His own blood.

“Always act from principle, never from impulse. Temper the natural impetuosity of your nature with meekness and gentleness. Indulge in no lightness or trifling. Let no low witticism escape your lips. Even the thoughts are not to be allowed to run riot. They must be restrained, brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Let them be placed upon holy things. Then, through the grace of Christ, they will be pure and true.

“We need a constant sense of the ennobling power of pure thoughts. The only security for any soul is right thinking. . . .

“Cultivate the habit of speaking well of others. Dwell upon the good qualities of those with whom you associate, and see as little as possible of their errors and failings.”—The Ministry of Healing, pp. 491, 492.


Wednesday October 30

4. HAVING ROYAL BEHAVIOR

a. What does Scripture emphasize as truly essential to our Christian faith—and why? James 2:8.

“Many religious teachers assert that Christ by His death abolished the law, and men are henceforth free from its requirements. There are some who represent it as a grievous yoke, and in contrast to the bondage of the law they present the liberty to be enjoyed under the gospel.

“But not so did prophets and apostles regard the holy law of God. Said David: ‘I will walk at liberty: for I seek Thy precepts.’ Psalm 119:45. The apostle James, who wrote after the death of Christ, refers to the Decalogue as ‘the royal law’ and ‘the perfect law of liberty.’ James 2:8; 1:25. And the revelator, half a century after the crucifixion, pronounces a blessing upon them ‘that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.’ Revelation 22:14.”—The Great Controversy, p. 466.

“When one surrenders to Christ, the mind is brought under the control of the law; but it is the royal law, which proclaims liberty to every captive. By becoming one with Christ, man is made free. Subjection to the will of Christ means restoration to perfect manhood.

“Obedience to God is liberty from the thralldom of sin, deliverance from human passion and impulse. Man may stand conqueror of himself, conqueror of his own inclinations, conqueror of principalities and powers, and of ‘the rulers of the darkness of this world,’ and of ‘spiritual wickedness in high places.’ Ephesians 6:12.”—The Ministry of Healing, p. 131.

b. How does having bias, partiality, and/or prejudice unpleasantly spoil our witness for Christ? James 2:9.

“We may claim to be followers of Christ, we may claim to believe every truth in the word of God; but this will do our neighbor no good unless our belief is carried into our daily life. Our profession may be as high as heaven, but it will save neither ourselves nor our fellow men unless we are Christians. A right example will do more to benefit the world than all our profession.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 383.


Thursday October 31

5. WISE TEACHING IN COMPASSION

a. What must we keep in mind in upholding God’s moral law ourselves—as well as when sharing this truth with the next generation? Ecclesiastes 11:9; 12:13, 14; James 2:10–13.

“The youth have an inborn love of liberty; they desire freedom; and they need to understand that these inestimable blessings are to be enjoyed only in obedience to the law of God. This law is the preserver of true freedom and liberty. It points out and prohibits those things that degrade and enslave, and thus to the obedient it affords protection from the power of evil.

“The psalmist says: ‘I will walk at liberty: for I seek Thy precepts.’ ‘Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors.’ Psalm 119:45, 24.

“In our efforts to correct evil, we should guard against a tendency to faultfinding or censure. Continual censure bewilders, but does not reform. With many minds, and often those of the finest susceptibility, an atmosphere of unsympathetic criticism is fatal to effort. Flowers do not unfold under the breath of a blighting wind. . . .

“The true object of reproof is gained only when the wrongdoer himself is led to see his fault and his will is enlisted for its correction. When this is accomplished, point him to the source of pardon and power. Seek to preserve his self-respect and to inspire him with courage and hope.

“This work is the nicest, the most difficult, ever committed to human beings. It requires the most delicate tact, the finest susceptibility, a knowledge of human nature, and a heaven-born faith and patience, willing to work and watch and wait. It is a work than which nothing can be more important.”—Education, pp. 291, 292.


Friday November 1

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. While I may not have much, what must I realize about others with even less?

2. How easy it is to have blind bias or unjust prejudice against some people?

3. How do our patterns of thinking affect the way we treat such persons?

4. Why is God’s law called the law of liberty?

5. Describe the attitude to have in teaching people who have wrong ideas.

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