Lesson 31: Doing Right when Wronged (part 2)
 Read James 5:7-12 – www.bible.com/bible/59/jas.5.esv

James 5:8 – Opening the second package we are told to strengthen our hearts. James is so insightful; he knows that people who refuse to fight often retreat into their own self-pity instead of into the arms of God. Therefore this package is labeled ‘strengthen your heart.’ The idea is to prop up or support something that is heavy. When you have been done wrong your heart is heavy. So James says, let the Lord support your heart and help you in this situation. (Psalm 55:22, 1 Peter 5:7)

One way to utilize this package is through the 50:20 Principle from Genesis 50:20. If you remember Joseph’s story you will recall his life. His father’s favorite son, he was the brothers’ favorite punching bag. After they sold him as a slave he worked hard to earn his master’s respect. However he was falsely accused by the boss’ wife and unjustly thrown in prison. While there he saved a man’s life and was forgotten by that man. Finally remembered, he interpreted Pharaoh’s dream and was promoted to second in command over all Egypt. When he finally met his brothers again he pronounced the words that founded the 50:20 Principle.

*What is the principle God teaches us in Genesis 50:20? _____

Rather than focusing on ourselves and our unfair circumstances, the 50:20 Principle focuses us on God. When we apply this guideline we are freed to see God as our teacher and the other person as a tool for making us more like Christ.

James 5:9 – The third package is called ‘do not complain.’ This is an internal, unexpressed attitude of bearing a grudge, which precedes deep seated bitterness and hatred. It also receives the judgment of God, who is standing right at the door. To help us resist this grudging spirit, James uses 2 illustrations…


The Prophets – (James 5:10-11a) We need to read only a few verses of Hebrews 11 to get an idea of what the prophets had to face and how they endured. While some of them conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness and obtained promises (v33) others were tortured, experienced mocking and scourging, even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, sawn in two, tempted and put to death by the sword. (vs 35-37) But like Stephen (Acts 7) these suffering saints did not dishonor God by casting blame or bearing grudges, they showed endurance in the midst of terrible trials.

James 5:11 – Job – Labeling Job ‘patient’ is far too passive a word. As we read the tremendous drama of his life we see him passionately resenting what has come upon him, passionately questioning the conventional arguments of his so-called friends, passionately agonizing over the thought that somehow God had forsaken him. The great fact about Job is that in spite of the questions plaguing his heart he never lost his faith in God. (Job 19:25) His is not in unquestioning submission, he struggled and questioned, and sometimes even defied but the flame of his faith was never extinguished. The word used to describe him, patience, describes not a passive patience but a gallant spirit which can overcome the storms of doubt, sorrow and disaster and come out with faith still stronger on the other side. (Job 42:12)