Gird your waist with the belt of truth
How can we defend ourselves against the devil’s relentless attacks since he is so clever, subtle, and disguised? The apostle Paul answers, “Take up the whole armor of God.”
The conclusion to James is this
As it happens, the cure for a fractured heart is anything but law-keeping. According to James, the only cure is the gospel—that is, humbly receiving the grace of God.
The future is uncertain, and wealth can’t save us
We can readily see how James deals with two distinct issues in James 4:13-5:6, but pride and materialism tie them together.
Submit to God, you double-minded sinner
We may consider ourselves God-pleasing people, but James says, “I see pride, double-mindedness, and a desperate need for repentance.” Thankfully, God gives greater grace.
We are what we say
If anything reveals our double-mindedness and fractured hearts, it is our tongues, speech, and the words we speak. There is a direct connection between the heart and the mouth.
Justification from Paul’s faith to James’s works
The greatest danger is knowing about God, accepting Christ and his gospel intellectually, and identifying as a Christian without it transforming our lives.
We’re looking for the wrong kind of glory in people
Whether it’s a celebrity, winning the championship game, or the breathtaking view at the top of a mountain, our hearts are attracted to glory for better or worse.