Lesson 3

Observation

Outline

Receiving the Implanted Word (1:19-21)

Continuing in the Word (1:22-25)

Practicing Religion (1:26-27)

Key Words/Phrases

Swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath, righteousness of God, receive with meekness, implanted word, doers/hearers, deceives, forgets, law of liberty, religion, tongue.

General Analysis

1.      1.      Verse 18 describes the rebirth through God’s word. The passage of this lesson continues this thought by exhorting us to practice the word and let the word of life take effect in our daily lives.

2.      2.      Believers need to receive the word of God with meekness (21). The word is able to save our souls (21). We should be doers of the word, and not hearers only (22). We need to look into God’s word (25). We need to continue in God’s word (25). We will be blessed if we do the word (25).

Segment Analysis

3.      1.      We need to be swift to hear (19). This means that we should be attentive to the Lord’s instructions and accept them readily. 2. We need to receive the word with meekness (21). Meekness means a gentle and submissive spirit. We should humbly accept the word of God and not be stiff-necked.

4.      2.      When we listen to and meditate on the word of God, we are yielding to God’s guidance rather than our emotions. We will have a clear mind to gain a spiritual perspective as well as the strength to control ourselves.

5.      Anger often comes from misunderstanding or an unforgiving attitude. But if we give others a chance to explain themselves, we will be more understanding and forgiving, and perhaps even realize that our anger is not justified.

6.      3.      We should be slow to wrath because “the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (20). Sometimes we may justify our anger with the intention to correct the wrongdoings of others. But since the wrath of man itself is contrary to the fruit of the Spirit, we should not use our anger as a means to bring about God’s righteousness. Even if someone is clearly in the wrong, we should restore him gently (Gal 6:1).

7.      4.      We need to “lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness” (21). This means removing anything in us that is contrary to God’s nature and will, including “the wrath of man” (20). Only then can God’s word have room to grow and take its effect in our hearts.

1.      5.      If we think that reading or hearing God’s word is enough to please God or grow spiritually, we are fooling ourselves. The blessings of God’s word come to us when we carry it out (25). Those who hear the word of God but do not put it into practice is like the man who builds his house on the sand (Mt 7:26-27). Such faith may appear strong and beautiful on the surface, but it will collapse when trials come. Furthermore, if we know God’s will but do not carry it out, not only will we not benefit from God’s word, we will also come under judgment (Lk 12:47,48).

2.      6a.    We will only be temporarily aware of our spiritual blemishes and shortcomings but do nothing to correct them. In fact, we may deliberately forget about them in order to remove a sense of guilt (cf. 2Pet 3:5).

3.      6b.    It is when we carry out God’s word that we can truly know God and understand His word (cf. 2Pet 1:5-8). With the comprehension that comes from experience, the word of God will stay in our hearts permanently (cf. Heb 5:14).

4.      8.      God’s word is the perfect law (Ps 19:7) because it is faultless. It is a law of liberty because when we abide by the word of Christ and depend on the Spirit of Christ, we are no longer condemned or bound by the desires of our sinful nature (Rom 8:1,2). We have the freedom to turn from sin and submit to God.

5.      9a.    1. We are to look into God’s word through diligent study and constant meditation. 2. We are to continue in God’s word by carrying it out consistently and persistently.

6.      9b.    We will be blessed in what we do if we do God’s word.

7.      10a.  False religion consists of superficial piety (cf. Mt 6:1,2,5,16; 15:8; 23:27,28) or a false sense of religious sincerity. True religion is characterized by a renewed life that manifests God’s righteousness and love (cf. Eph 4:20-24).

8.      10b.  A person may feel that he is a sincere worshiper because of his regular church attendance or offering. But if God has little place in his heart, or if he does not obey God from his heart in his daily life, his feeling of being religious is but a false sense of security because he is still in fact far from God.

9.      11.    1. Bridle our tongue. 2. Take care of orphans and widows in their trouble. 3. Keep ourselves unspotted from the world.

10.  12.    It means being free from any thought, speech, or conduct that comes from the desires of the sinful nature (1Jn 2:15-16). It means not conforming to the pattern of ungodly living (Rom 12:1-2).

11.