7 Ways to Make Your "Faith Work" from the Book of James

1. Out with doubt!

Have you read that book by Kyle Butt from Apologetics Press called "Out With Doubt"? If not, add it to your list! Another writer that emphasizes getting rid of doubt is none other than James. James 1:6 calls us to seek wisdom by asking "in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind." For our faith to work properly, we must overcome doubt — or else we risk being unstable in everything we do! (Jas. 1:7)

2. Pass the tests, trials and temptations.

Teens are used to taking tests - practically multiple times any given day...math, science, English, the list goes on. Then we have the BIG tests like the ACT (which I'm taking next weekend so pray for me, please!) However, some of the most important "tests" are the ones we may not even realize we're taking - the temptations we face every day or the trials of life that come our way. James 1:12 shows us that our faith is working when we endure these "tests" and don’t give in to sin. Pray like Jesus for God to deliver us from evil!

3. Listen more, talk less, and shut down anger.

OK, so that's kind of 3-in-1 but you get the point. We've all probably heard this quote from James 1:19, "be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." So how does this apply to our faith? For our faith to work, not only must we hear God's Word, but we need to really listen to those around us. Can I help someone else if I don't ever listen to them? If I'm too busy sharing my point of view or talking about my own interests, then I'm not letting my faith work. Same goes for wrath or anger...lots of people my age are just waiting for something to trigger them so they can go off. James says that's not the way God does things and neither should we!

4. See what needs to be fixed, then fix it!

Something people my age probably do way too often is look in a mirror...or if we don't have a mirror we check our face, teeth, etc using our phone camera. How useless would it be for me to see in the mirror that I have a huge piece of broccoli stuck in my braces but then not even try to get it out, just go all day smiling at people with broccoli stuck in my teeth!? That would be crazy, I'd never do that! Then how is it we can look into God's Word and see changes need to be made, but never make them. Our faith works when we see what needs to be fixed and then we actually fix it! (James 1:25)

5. Help the helpless.

Those most vulnerable and in need of help were most likely to encounter Jesus when He walked the earth. Many times that involved Him healing the sick and lame, giving the blind sight, feeding the hungry, encouraging the down trodden and serving the overlooked. James makes it clear that putting our faith to work can start with helping two groups of people: widows and orphans (James 1:27). Our hands and feet resemble Jesus’s when we serve nursing home residents, support children’s homes, and spend time with those who are enduring trouble in life!

6. Pray and pray some more.

James 5:13-18 shows us the importance of fervent or constant prayer in meeting the needs of others. Faith works because God is the ultimate source of healing, health, happiness and holiness. When we work to meet the needs of the hurting, we can start with prayer, then do what we can to help — whether that’s feeding them, clothing them, teaching them, etc — but then let’s pray some more for God to help them. Only He can provide spiritual healing through forgiveness and restoration.

7. Bring back the wandering sinner.

James’ final words in his letter are profound (5:19-20). When we see brothers or sisters in Christ who have lost their faith because of trials or sin, it is on us to attempt to show them the way back to God by speaking truth in love and gentleness. In trying to help someone lost in sin, we must guard against falling into sin ourselves. Nevertheless, our actions could lead to saving a soul from death and covering a multitude of sins.That is faith at work!