How to Study the Bible (Basic Hermeneutics): 

• Literal Interpretation: What is the plain meaning of the text, taking into account its genre and literary context (i.e., historical narrative, poetry, prophecy, letter, wisdom, etc.)?
• Historical and Cultural Context: What was going on at the time? What are the historical, cultural, and geographical contexts in which the text was written?
• Scripture Interprets Scripture: We use clearer passages of Scripture to help interpret more obscure or difficult passages.
• Authorial Intent: By seeking to understand the message the original author intended to convey to their audience, we can gain understanding for ourselves in the context of our lives.
• Theological Context: We interpret individual passages of Scripture in light of the overall theology and message of the Bible.

  

James 1:12–15 (NLT)

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.  And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

     

Truths about sin and temptation:

• God does not tempt us nor lead us into temptation.

Matthew 6:13 (NLT)And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. 

• The source of temptation is our “own desires.” These are desires that are against God’s word, will, or way for our lives.
• These desires “entice us and drag us away” from the path. The appeal of the fruit of sin pulls our hearts away from God’s path. We begin to entertain sin in our hearts and justify the “means” to achieve the desired “end.”
• Unchecked, these desires “give birth to sinful actions.” At this point, we “sin”—putting our sinful desires into action. This is the first step across the line, and it is often a small one, like a child who touches the cookie they were told not to eat.
• Unrepentant sin is “allowed to grow” and “gives birth to death.” The first step leads to another, then another, each one leading us further off the path God has for our lives. The end result is death and destruction, “For the wages of sin is death…” Romans 6:23 (NLT).

      

Romans 8:1–4 (NLT)

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our flesh. So, God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body, God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our flesh but instead follow the Spirit.

      

James 5:16 (NLT)

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.

      

Matthew 5:27–30 (NLT)

You have heard the commandment that says, “You must not commit adultery.” But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

     

Hebrews 10:16–17 (NLT)

This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the Lord: “I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” Then he says, “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.”

     

John 10:10 (NLT)

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

     

1.   Repentance – turning away from sin and toward God – unlocks salvation and brings healing.

James 1:19–21 (NLT)

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

     

2.   Listening well is loving well, and loving well is how life transformation is initiated. 

James 1:22–27 (NLT)

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

     

3. True faith is a faith that is acted upon by loving and caring for others.