According to a recent Netflix documentary, there are more forgeries of famous paintings hanging in museums than most people suspect. From time to time, these cases come to light. But what about faith in God? The easiest thing to do is to simply say that one is a believer. But where’s the proof? James addressed this, giving four telltale signs to help us spot the genuine from the fake.

I. Words without Works (v. 14)

II. Sight without Sympathy (vv. 15-16)

III. Profession without Proof (vv. 17-18)

IV. Commotion without Conversion (vv. 19-20)

Talk with God: Ask the Lord to give you a servant’s heart, then seek opportunities to serve or encourage someone this week.

Talk with others: Ask a mentor or trusted believer if your faith is obvious in your daily habits, attitudes, and relationships.

Talk with kids: How can people see the power of God in our lives?

Faith and favoritism are incompatible. We have been saved by a loving Redeemer and we must be willing to accept all different kinds of people. That’s not to say that people don’t need to repent of known sin. Of course they do! But one of the glaring sins of the Christian church is discriminating on the basis of outward appearance—actually, this is a flaw endemic to the whole human race.

I. People Are Prejudiced Naturally (vv. 1-13)

II. Favoritism Is Foolish Logically (vv. 5-7)

III. Christians Are Corrected Biblically (vv. 8-9)

IV. Life Should Be Lived Consistently (vv. 10-13)

Talk with God: Ask the Lord to reveal an area where you haven’t been living as one “who will be judged by the law of liberty” (v. 12).

Talk with others: Say hello and introduce yourself to someone sitting alone at service.

Talk with kids: How are we changed by the Holy Spirit?

Mirrors are honest! Under well-lit conditions, mirrors reveal the truthful condition of the observer. The Bible is the Word of God. Like a mirror, it reveals the truth about our world, our character, and our God. But then we must act accordingly; doing must follow reading and hearing. James mentions five areas in our lives—five categories—the Word of God should govern.

I. Submission (vv. 22-24)

II. Study (v. 25)

III. Speech (v. 26)

IV. Service (v. 27a)

V. Separation (v. 27b)

Talk with God: Assess your spiritual growth in the mirror of God’s Word and pray for wisdom and clarity in confronting your blind spots.

Talk with others: Ask a mentor or trusted believer if they’ve observed areas of your life where you have not continued in “the perfect law of liberty” (v. 25).

Talk with kids: How has God shown us generosity through Jesus?

The Word of God is “full of living power,” wrote the author of Hebrews (4:12, TLB). It has the power to change a life completely and for eternity. James has been telling us that God gives good gifts and the first is the gift of salvation! But that is just the beginning. After birth comes growth, and the theme of this book is spiritual maturity. The primary agent for spiritual maturity is God’s Word. But unless we listen to it and allow it to work in us, it will never have its intended impact.