James 1:25
But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a (careless) listener who forgets but an active doer (who obeys), he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does (in his life of obedience).

Our faith requires action as an active doer. Sin will come if we neglect to cast down thoughts that lead us from God and we don’t practice our faith. Faith is a living, active force that moves on our Word, beliefs, and commitment to following God’s law. If we keep our hearts pure and our hands clean, God will bless and favor us.

James 1:13
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God” (for temptation does not originate from God, but from our own (flaws); for God cannot be tempted by (what is) evil, and He Himself tempts no one. But each one is tempted when he is dragged away, by his own desire.

What are we thinking? All temptations start in the mind, and we consider something we see, hear, or feel. For example, Eve considered the fruit on the tree and then let herself be convinced that eating it was a good idea. We need to do the opposite, remember what God says, and cast out thoughts that don’t align with His Word.

Hebrews 4:3

For we who believe (that is, we who personally trust and confidently rely on God) enter that rest (so we have His inner peace now because we are confident in our salvation, and assured of His power), just as He has said.  

God never meant for us to create our answers to problems using worry and fear. Anxiety and fear never solved a problem or made the answer come sooner.  God meant for us to rest in peace by knowing His power to work on our behalf.   We are to find the answer in the word, pray and believe God for the answer.  Our rest comes from our confidence in God.  

Isaiah 58:6

(Rather) is this not the fast which I choose, to undo the bonds of wickedness, to tear to pieces the ropes of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free and break apart every (enslaving) yoke.

God desires love for others to be our motivation. True religion is helping other people and communicating with God on their behalf. Fasting is meant to break the yoke, help the oppressed go free, and undo any bonds of wickedness. Our motivation is key to God and doing what He desires for us to do, not our way. 

Jeremiah 17:5-6
Thus says the Lord, “Cursed is the man who trusts in and relies on mankind, making flesh his strength, and whose mind and heart turn away from the Lord. For he will be like a shrub in the desert and shall not see prosperity when it comes but shall live in the rocky places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.”

That sounds bleak, but people do it. When people make themselves into a God and no longer rely on and trust in God, they enter a desert in their spirits. No purpose for life exists, and fulfilling the desires of the flesh is the only reason to live. Yet, personal satisfaction will never come to them.

Jude 1:10

But these men sneer at anything which they do not understand; and whatever they do know by (mere) instinct, like unreasoning and irrational beasts-by these things they are destroyed.

We must guard against reasoning and being scoffers of the things of God we may not understand. We are the created and have a level of understanding of our world fathoms lower the God the creator. That is what faith in God the source is about—believing that what God says is true and faithful. By this, we avoid destruction from lack of knowledge. 

Mark 11:22

Jesus replied, “Have faith in God (constantly).

It is that simple. Suppose we want that mountain to move or that fig tree to dry up by the roots. We must have faith in God. Jesus said we can operate with the same faith power He had on earth. But we let the devil convince us we are insignificant—he lies. Our faith worlds are hinged on our knowledge of the Word (Bible). 

Proverbs 12:25

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a good (encouraging) word makes it glad.

The Bible is our encouraging Word! It is also our sword against the troubles of life. We are to answer anxiety with the Word of God. God never said He would leave, forsake, or leave us helpless. When we put on the helmet of salvation and the shield of faith (Word), we stop the enemy’s darts from coming against our minds and troubling our hearts. 

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing (through the experience of your faith) that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will abound in hope and overflow with confidence in His promises. 

Joy and peace are the best gifts we can get from God when we trust in God so much that life and its ups and downs don’t disturb our minds, our days, and our lives; we know, by the power of the Holy Spirit, that our trust in God will bring abundant hope and confidence in God’s promises. 

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge and recognize Him, and He will make your paths straight and smooth. 

How much conversation do we have with God in our day? Are we confidently relying on God for instruction, or is He a distant God whom we never hear from? When we acknowledge and recognize Him in our lives, God will recognize us. Our own understanding can never compete with God’s knowledge and His ability to smooth the way.