In the parable, the father asked the second son to go. He said that he would go and then didn’t follow through with his words. His message and messenger were not the same. Verse 31 says, “Which of the two did the will of his father?…”

James’ words and the parable challenge us to maintain a heart of integrity. We honor the Lord when we honor our words. However, to promise we will do something without inwardly acknowledging ‘if it is His will’ we can fall into error through the pride of our own accomplishment.

It humbles our heart to realize afresh that we are not in control. We have no strength on our own. We cannot endure without His grace. Obeying God’s word keeps us on His path of righteousness. James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord…” Our heart and actions are totally open to Him.

In James 4:13 he wrote that there were folks who predicted what would happen in a year’s time. Verse 14-15 says, “Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow…Instead you ought to say, If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”

An echo from my childhood are the words, “If the Lord tarries, then we will…” We fall into error when we presume something will take place. David’s prayer in Psalm 19:13 in one I pray daily. It says, “Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me…”

James 5:12 says, “…let your Yes be Yes, and your No be No, lest you fall into judgment.” Remember the parable of the two sons? Matthew 21-28 is the account. The father asked the first son to go work in the vineyard. He said he wouldn’t but then went. 

James 4:6 says, “…God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Think for a moment about praying with pride in our heart. Jesus gave a parable of the Pharisee and the publican. Luke 18:11 takes us into the temple to hear these words, “…I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.”

2 Corinthians 10:12 says, “…they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” I have a new mentee. She is a minor, and she struggles with low self-esteem. Where does that come from? Comparisons. 

Media can be a trap-stick for comparisons. There is a biblical standard. All have sinned. No exception. When we approach the Lord, we are coming with a need; ours or for someone else. We are bidden to come into His throne room to find grace. Grace is not given to one coming with pride in their heart ~ they will be resisted by God. Sobering thought.

James 5:16 says, “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” Walking in the righteousness of Christ is having our thoughts, purpose, and actions conformed to His will and ways.

Psalm 15:1 asked the question of who may abide in God’s Presence. The answer is in verses 2-5. Verse 2 says, “He who walks uprightly, works righteousness, speaks truth in his heart.” 

When there is an idol in our heart, it will speak lies and lead us continually into deception. 1 Kings 8:38-39 was written beforehand for our learning. It says, “…when each one knows the plague of his own heart…then hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and act…”

1 John 1:9 says that when we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us our sins and, “…to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

1 Peter 1:22 says, “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart.” Our hidden sin affects those around us. Case in point is Hebrews 12:15. One with bitter roots defiles those around them. 

Hidden sin is disobedience. In memorizing Romans 5, I realize afresh how Adam and Eve’s disobedience affected everyone born after them. Cain disobeyed: wrong sacrifice, killed his brother, then lied to God. Genesis 4:7 says, “…sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

1 Corinthians 10:13 says that our temptations are the same as everyone else, and God makes the way of escape. We have no excuse. Romans 6:1 says, “…How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” At salvation we were freed from the bondage of sin. Hidden sin ~ enslaved to the idol in our heart.

Think about these contrasts with wisdom from above versus man’s opinion. James 3:18. Pure/defiled, peaceable/contentious, gentle/harsh, willing to yield/demands own rights, full of mercy/cruel, good fruits/no fruit, without partiality/prejudice, without hypocrisy/insincere.

Our flesh is silenced when we walk in wisdom from above. It is like a fish out of water. It has no ‘fins’ to swim in the waters of purity, peace, gentleness, etc. Walking in wisdom from above is love in action.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 recapped: does not envy, is not puffed up, not rude, not self-seeking, not easily provoked, has no evil thoughts. No partiality goes beyond race. It could include folks who are obnoxious, rude, unkind, weaker, or just different than we are. Jesus was not a respecter of persons. When we emulate Him, we will include all types of folks ~ expressing His gospel message through our words, actions, attitude, and body language.

James 3:13 says, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.” Conduct is our manner of life. It is our default.

1 Peter 1:15 says to be holy in our conduct. Verse 17 says, “…conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear.” What do we know about the fear of the Lord? It is the beginning of wisdom.

Philippians 1:27 says, “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ…that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” The question we have to ask: is my life a gospel sermon? Does my marriage, my family, my interactions depict the gospel?

When our default is the gospel, then when the Holy Spirit convicts us, we will auto-correct. Our conduct starts with our thoughts and then becomes our action or behavior that others witness.