James Expounds on Faith Volume 59

 Praying in Faith Part 4

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. KJV Note: NKJV=New King James Version

We have seen in the previous verses how the Apostle James exhorted and encouraged the brothers or sisters in our Lord Jesus' Mystical Body to go to the elders of the Body seeking prayer from them for their physical ailments or diseases, however, we now find him appealing to each one of them and us to seek out one another to confess to one another our sins against our Father in Heaven which may have caused someone's sicknesses, as it is written, "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16) (KJV). The English word 'Confess' that begins this verse of Scripture is translated by the Greek word exomologeō meaning to acknowledge or (by implication of assent) agree fully. The little English phrase 'your faults' is translated by the Greek word paraptōma meaning a side slip (lapse or deviation), that is, (unintentional) error or (wilful) transgression: - fall, fault, offence, sin, trespass. Here is what Robertson's Word Pictures had to say of this, "Confession of sin to God is already assumed. But public confession of certain sins to one another in the meetings is greatly helpful in many ways. This is not confessing to one man like a Priest in place of the public confession. One may confess to the Pastor without confessing to God or to the Church, with little benefit to anybody." When you are able to be among a body of true and faithful believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, it is beneficial not only to the transgressor, but also to the rest of the body as we remember these words of the Apostle Paul to the Galatian believers in Christ when he wrote, "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load." (Galatians 6:1-5) (NKJV). When the Apostle James writes in James 5:16 these words, 'and pray one for another, that ye may be healed', he means that we should collectively lift up hands to our Father in Heaven 🙏 praying to Him for the brother of sister who is overtaken by a sin or tresspass praying 🙏 that he or she be healed from the desire of that particular sin, for our Father in Heaven does not just heal from physical malady, but He heals from spiritual malady or diseases as well (all sin is spiritual disease). The English word 'healed' used by the Apostle in James 5:16 is translated by the Greek word iaomai is a primary verb meaning to cure (literally or figuratively): - heal, make whole.

In the last part of James 5:16, which reads, 'The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much', means that any son or daughter of our Lord Jesus Christ has the ability to pray in faith through Christ Jesus our Lord and to expect God the Father to hear and answer prayers. The little English phrase, 'The effectual fervent' is translated by the Greek word energeō meaning to be active, efficient: - do, (be) effectual (fervent), be mighty in, shew forth self, work (effectually in). The liitle English phrase 'availeth much' is translated by the Greek words (polu ischuei) meaning to have much force or strength 💪. Example, Moses, as it is written, "Now when the people complained, it displeased the LORD; for the LORD heard it, and His anger was aroused. So the fire of the LORD burned among them, and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp. Then the people cried out to Moses, and when Moses prayed to the LORD, the fire was quenched. So he called the name of the place Taberah (Burning), because the fire of the LORD had burned among them." (Numbers 11:1-3) (NKJV), and the Apostle Peter and John along with many other brothers and sisters after they were forbidden to declare the Name of Jesus, as it is written, "So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, 'Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.' So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done. For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed. And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: 'Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the LORD and against His Christ.' 'For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.' And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness." (Acts 4:18-31) (NKJV).

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

James Expounds on Faith Volume 58

Praying in Faith Part 3

James 5:15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. KJV Note: NKJV=New King James Version

The Apostle James continues his exhortation to all those scattered Jewish believers in our Lord Jesus Christ at the time of his writing this letter (and it is to and for each one of we true believers today and of every era and generation that has come after James' penning of this letter) that their/our faithful prayers reach the Throne Room of God our Father, as it is written, "And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." (James 5:15) (KJV). According to His Sovereign will some sick brothers and sisters in Christ will be healed by Him and some will not, for many of us have known of very faithful sons and daughters of God being sick unto death and their healing did not come, but that which is far better than a temporary physical healing from 🤮 sickness down here came and that was their being present with our Lord Jesus Christ, as the Apostle Paul wrote to the brothers and sisters in Corinth with these words, "For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee/down payment/earnest. So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:1-8)(NKJV). This is a promise from our Father in Heaven to each of us His sons and daughters that according to His will (not ours), He 'shall raise him up' and this little English phrase translated by the Greek word egeirō meaning to rouse or raise up from disease, that is, to be healed completely from the physical or mental or spiritual disease. This is done by our Father in Heaven because He loves us His sons and daughters, but also because He stills has a purpose for us down here on the earth 🌎. Remember King Hezekiah, as it is written, "In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the Prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, 'Thus says the LORD: 'Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live.' Then he turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the LORD, saying, 'Remember now, O LORD, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in Your sight.' And Hezekiah wept bitterly. And it happened, before Isaiah had gone out into the middle court, that the Word of the LORD came to him, saying, 'Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: 'I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the House of the LORD. And I will add to your days fifteen years. I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for My own sake, and for the sake of My servant David.'" (2 Kings 20:1-6) (NKJV). The Lord God of Israel not only delivered King Hezekiah from his sickness unto death, but He used King Hezekiah and the army of Israel to defend against, and destroy, and defeat the king of Assyria and protect the great 🏙 city of Jerusalem from destruction for the sake of His own sake and for the sake of the covenant with King David, as it is written, "Then You spoke in a vision to Your holy one, And said: 'I have given help to one who is mighty; I have exalted one chosen from the people. I have found My servant David; With My holy oil I have anointed him, With whom My hand shall be established; Also My arm shall strengthen him. The enemy shall not outwit him, Nor the son of wickedness afflict him. I will beat down his foes before his face, And plague those who hate him.'" (Psalms 89:19-23) (NKJV). Note: 'You who think 🤔 that Israel is wrong in what they are doing to completely destroy 'Hamas', read Psalms 89 and then read it again and again. Also, you who think that any Nation or Nations will (as the Iranians say, 'wipe Israel off the map 🗺') read Psalms 89 again and again. I love you Israel and more importantly Elohim/Adonai loves you immensely."

Here is what Albert Barnes had to say of James 5:15, "The prayer offered in faith, or in the exercise of confidence in God. It is not said that the particular form of the faith exercised shall be that the sick man will certainly recover; but there is to be unwavering confidence in God, a belief that He will do what is best, and a cheerful committing of the cause into His hands. We express our earnest wish, and leave the case with Him. The prayer of faith is to accompany the use of means, for all means would be ineffectual without the blessing of God. This must be understood, as such promises are everywhere, with this restriction, that they will be restored to health if it shall be the will of God; if He shall deem it for the best. It cannot be taken in the absolute and unconditional sense, for then, if these means were used, the sick person would always recover, no matter how often he might be sick, and he need never die. The design is to encourage them to the use of these means with a strong hope that it would be effectual. It may fairly be inferred from this statement: (1) That there would be cases in large numbers where these means would be attended with this happy result; and, (2) That there was so much encouragement to do it that it would be proper in any case of sickness so make use of these means. It may be added, that no one can demonstrate that this promise has not been in numerous instances fulfilled. There are instances, not a few, where recovery from sickness seems to be in direct answer to prayer, and no one can prove that it is not so. Compare the case of Hezekiah, in Isaiah 38:1-5. Perhaps there may be a particular allusion here to sins which may have brought on the sickness as a punishment. In that case the removal of the disease in answer to prayer would be an evidence that the sin was pardoned. Compare Matthew 9:2. But the promise may be understood in a more general sense as denoting that such sickness would be the means of bringing the sins of the past life to remembrance, especially if the one who was sick had been unfaithful to his Christian vows; and that the sickness in connection with the prayers offered would bring him to true repentance, and would recover him from his wanderings. On backsliding and erring Christians sickness often has this effect; and the subsequent life is so devoted and consistent as to show that the past unfaithfulness of him who has been afflicted is forgiven." Here also is what Matthew Henry had to say of James 5:15, "Prayer over the sick must proceed and be accompanied with, a lively faith. There must be faith both in the person praying and in the person prayed for. In a time of sickness, it is not the cold and formal prayer that is effectual, but the prayer of faith. We should observe the success of prayer. The Lord shall raise up; that is, if he be a person capable and fit for deliverance, and if God have any thing further for such a person to do in the world. And, if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him; that is, where sickness is sent as a punishment for some particular sin, that sin shall be pardoned, and in token thereof the sickness shall be removed. As when Christ said to the impotent man, Go and sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee, it is intimated that some particular sin was the cause of his sickness. The great thing therefore we should beg of God for ourselves and others in the time of sickness is the pardon of sin. Sin is both the root of sickness and the sting of it. If sin be pardoned, either affliction shall be removed in mercy or we shall see there is mercy in the continuance of it. When healing is founded upon pardon, we may say as Hezekiah did: Thou hast, in love to my soul, delivered it from the pit of corruption, Isaiah 38:17. When you are sick and in pain, it is most common to pray and cry, O give me ease! O restore me to health! But your prayer should rather and chiefly be, O that God would pardon my sins!"

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…


 

James Expounds on Faith Volume 57

 Praying in Faith Part 2

James 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the Church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: KJV Note: NKJV=New King James Version

The Apostle James now writes to those scattered Jews who have now come to our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) in repentance and faith exhorting those brothers and sisters in Christ Mystical Body that are sick from any diseases to take themselves to those true, trustworthy, and triumphant 🧓 elders in Christ Body with prayer request, as it is written with these words, "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the Church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:" (James 5:14) (KJV). The prayer of one true man/son of God 👨 through our Lord Jesus Christ reaches the Throne of our Father in Heaven, as it is written by the writer of Hebrews with these words, "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:14-16) (NKJV), therefore, we must expect that the prayers of many faithful men/sons 🚹 of God will definitely reach His 👂 ears and according to His will in the matter of the sickness be eradicated even sooner than the one sick brother or sister praying alone. The annoiting with oil 🛢 was something our Lord Jesus Christ gave to the Apostles as He sent them out two by two giving them power over the enemy (the devil 😈), as it is written, "And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts— but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics. Also He said to them, 'In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place. And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!' So they went out and preached that people should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them." (Mark 6:7-13)( NKJV). There was and is no power in the oil 🛢 to heal sickness, but the power resides from the faith and faithfulness of the son or daughter sick 🤮 and from the elders in Christ Body praying over the sick 🤮 brother or sister. The Apostle Paul was such an example of strong faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and true faithfulness to Him, remember one occassion when he was on the Island of Malta, as it is written, "In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days. And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary." (Acts 28:7-10)(NKJV). This same Apostle Paul spoke of brother Epaphroditus who was very beloved by him, yet he was very sick on one occassion and although in Paul's letter, he does not write that he 🙏 prayed for him, yet it is certain that the readers of his letter would know that cretainly he did, as it is written here in this letter to the brother and sisters in Philippi, "Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me." (Philippians) 2:25-30 (NKJV).

Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say of James 5:14, "Which is often the case; the bodies of the saints, as well as others, are liable to a variety of diseases; they are sick, and sometimes nigh unto death, as Epaphroditus was: and then, let him call for the elders of the Church; in allusion to the elders of the congregation of Israel, Leviticus 4:15. By these may be meant, either the elder members of the Church, men of gravity and soundness in the faith, persons of long standing and experience; who have the gift and grace of prayer, and are not only capable of performing that duty, but of giving a word of counsel and advice to the sick. It was a kind of proverbial saying of Aristophanes the grammarian; the works of young men, the counsels of middle aged persons, and the prayers of ancient men. Or rather officers of Churches are meant, particularly pastors, who are so called in Scripture; these should be sent for in times of sickness, as well as physicians; and rather than they, since their prayers may be the means of healing both soul and body: so in former times, the prophets of God were sent to in times of sickness, for advice and assistance. It is a saying of R. Phinehas ben Chama that 'whoever has a sick person in his house, let him go to a wise man, and he will seek mercy for him.'' And it follows here, and let them pray over him; or for him, for the recovery of his health: anointing him with oil, in the name of the Lord; which some think was only done in a common medicinal way, oil being used much in the eastern countries for most disorders; and so these elders used ordinary medicine, as well as prayer: or rather this refers to an extraordinary gift, which some elders had of healing diseases, as sometimes by touching, and by laying on of hands, or by expressing some words, and so by anointing with oil; see Mark 6:13 which extraordinary gifts being now ceased, the rite or ceremony of anointing with oil ceases in course: however, this passage gives no countenance to the extreme unction of the Papists; that of theirs being attended with many customs and ceremonies, which are not here made mention of; that being used, as is pretended, for the healing of the souls of men, whereas this was used for corporeal healing; that is only performed when life is despaired of, and persons are just going out of the world; whereas this was made use of to restore men to health, and that they might continue longer in it, as follows." Here also is what John Wesley said of James 5:14, "This single conspicuous gift, which Christ committed to His Apostles, Mar 6:13, remained in the Church long after the other miraculous gifts were withdrawn. Indeed, it seems to have been designed to remain always; and St. James directs the elders, who were the most, if not the only, gifted men, to administer at. This was the whole process of physic in the Christian Church, till it was lost through unbelief. That novel invention among the Romanists, extreme unction, practised not for cure, but where life is despaired of, bears no manner of resemblance to this."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

James Expounds on Faith Volume 56

 Praying in Faith Part 1

James 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. KJV Note: NKJV=New King James Version

The Apostle James now makes a turn from writing to those scattered Jews who have now come to our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) in repentance and faith to them being faithful and strong in prayer and praise on all occasions and no matter what their circumstances. James begins his discourse with these words, "Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms." (James 5:13) (KJV). The first response the Apostle gives to affliction for these early believers and we true believers today and of every era and generation is to lift up 👆 our selves entirely to our Father in Heaven through prayer. This English word 'afflicted' is translated by the Greek word kakopatheō meaning to undergo hardship: - be afflicted, endure afflictions (hardness), suffer trouble. Unlike the false, fraud, and fake gospel being declared by the popular false prophets of the prosperity gospel, the real Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and true faith in Him never brings popularity or great profits, but instead affliction from those who still belong to the devil 👿 is brought upon many of us who are the true adopted sons and daughters of God. Here is what the Apostle Paul wrote to Brother Timothy (and it speaks to us too), "I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." (2 Timothy 4:1-5) (NKJV). Then the Apostle turns from those suffering hardship to ask the question, Is any merry? For not all of God's children are suffering hardship at the same time ⌚, for some during certain seasons are 'merry' and this English word is translated by the Greek word euthumeō meaning to cheer up, that is, (intransitively) be cheerful; (adverb) more cheerfully: - be of good cheer (merry). There are many seasons in every true believers sojourn and pilgrimage here on the earth 🌎 where we are walking and living with joy unspeakable and full of glory (it really should be all seasons of our lives down here), so James declares that we should rejoice in our Lord Jesus Christ always singing praises to Him for His love to us and goodness to us and His guidance of us and His protection to us. The Apostle Paul wrote such truths to the true believers in Rome and the true believers in Ephesus with these words, "And that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: 'For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, And sing to Your name.' And again he says: 'Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!' And again: 'Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!'" (Romans 15:9-11)(NKJV) and these words to those in Ephesus, "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God." (Ephesians 5:15-21) (NKJV).

Here is what the Expositors' Bible Commentary had to say of James 5:13, "The subject of this verse was probably suggested by that of the preceding one. Oaths are not a right way of expressing one’s feelings, however strong they may be, and of whatever kind they may be. There is, however, no need to stifle such feelings, or to pretend to the world that we have no emotions. In this respect, as in many others, Christianity has no sympathy with the precepts of Stoicism or Cynicism. It is not only innocent, but prudent, to seek an outlet for excited feelings; the right and wrong of the matter lie in the kind of outlet which we allow ourselves. Language of some kind, and in most cases articulate language, is the natural instrument for expressing and giving vent to our feelings. But we need some strong safeguard, or the consequences of freely giving expression to our emotions in speech will be calamitous. This safeguard is clearly indicated by the rules here laid down by St. James. Let the expression of strongly excited feelings be an act of worship; then we shall have an outlet for them which is not likely to involve us in harmful results. By the very act in which we exhibit our emotions we protect ourselves from the evil which they might produce. The very mode of expressing them moderates them, and serves as an antidote to their capacity for evil. Prayer and praise, or (in one word) worship, according to St. James, is the Christian remedy for "allaying or carrying off the fever of the mind." In all cases in which the mind is greatly agitated, whether painfully or pleasantly, whether by sorrow, anger, regret, or by joy, pleasure, hope, -the wise thing to do is to take refuge in an act of worship. Mental excitement is neither right nor wrong, any more than physical hunger or thirst. Everything depends on the method of expressing the one or gratifying the other. It will be easy in both cases to indulge a legitimate craving in such a way as to turn a natural and healthy symptom into a disease. Neither a heated mind nor a heated body can without danger be kept heated, or treated as if it was at its normal temperature. The advice of St. James is that in all cases in which our minds are agitated by strong emotion we should turn to Him who gave us minds capable of feeling such emotion; we should cease to make ourselves our own center, and turn our thoughts from the causes of our excitement to Him who is the unmoved Cause of all movement and rest. We need not tie ourselves to the distribution of prayer and praise expressed in the text. It is the most natural and most generally useful distribution; but it is not the only one, and perhaps it is not the highest. The precept will hold good with equal truth if we transpose the two conclusions: 'Is any among you suffering? let him sing praise. Is any cheerful? let him pray.' 'In everything give thanks,' says St. Paul; which involves our frequently giving thanks in suffering. This was what Job, to whom St. James has just directed his readers, did in his trouble. He 'fell upon the ground and worshipped: and he said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither; the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord' (Job 1:20-21). And the Psalmist teaches much the same lesson as St. Paul: 'I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth'. (Psalms 34:1). But if praise is as suitable as prayer for suffering, prayer is as suitable as praise for cheerfulness. He who is cheerful has indeed great reason to bless and praise God. He has a priceless gift, which is a blessing to himself and to all around him, a gift which makes life brighter to the whole circle in which he moves. We most of us take far too little pains to cultivate it, to retain it when it has been granted to us, to regain it when we have lost it or thrown it away. Yet cheerfulness has its dangers. The light-hearted are apt to be light-headed, and to be free from care leads to being free from carefulness. The cheerful may easily lose sobriety, and be found off their guard. The remedy is prayer. Prayer steadies without dimming the bright flame of cheerfulness; and just as thanksgiving sweetens sorrow, so supplication sanctifies joy. 'Is any suffering? let him sing praise. Is any cheerful? let him pray.'"

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…