Resolutions from the Book of James

Sinclair Ferguson:

The book of James has at least 20 resolutions that need to be part of the Christian’s covenant with God about how the believer is going to employ the tongue and lips, and master the heart in such a way that the beauty of Jesus is expressed:

I resolve to ask God for wisdom to speak out of a single-minded devotion to him (James 1:5).

I resolve to boast only in the exultation I receive in Jesus Christ and also in the humiliation I receive for Jesus Christ (James 1:9-10).

I resolve to set a watch over my mouth (James 1:13).

I resolve to be constantly quick to hear and slow to speak (James 1:19).

I resolve to learn the gospel way of speaking to both rich and poor (James 2:1-4).

I resolve to speak in the present consciousness of my final judgment (James 2:12).

I resolve never to stand on anyone’s face with the words I employ (James 2:16).

I resolve never to claim as reality in my life what I do not truly experience (James 3:14).

I resolve to resist quarrelsome words as evidence of a bad heart that needs to be mortified (James 4:1).

I resolve never to speak decided evil against another out of a heart of antagonism (James 4:11).

I resolve never to boast in any thing but what I will accomplish (James 4:13).

I resolve to speak as one subject to the providences of God (James 4:15).

I resolve never to grumble. The judge is at the door (James 5:9).

I resolve never to allow anything but total integrity in everything I say (James 5:12).

I resolve to speak to God in prayer whenever I suffer (James 5:13).

I resolve to sing praises to God whenever I’m cheerful (James 5:14).

I resolve to ask for the prayers of others when I’m in need (James 5:14).

I resolve to confess it whenever I have failed (James 5:15).

I resolve to pray with others for one another whenever I am together with them (James 5:15).

I resolve to speak words of restoration when I see another wander (James 5:19).

Wherever you are, it’s not so much what you say while you're in the room, it’s the questions people have when you leave the room. “Where do you come from?” This is someone who has been with Jesus. By God’s grace, James says that we may so grow to maturity that we may begin to speak like our blessed Lord Jesus.

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