4:1 Where do wars and fightings among you come
from?
Don't they come from your pleasures that war in your members?
4:2 You lust, and don't have. You kill,
covet, and can't obtain.
You fight and make war. You don't have, because you don't ask.
4:3 You ask, and don't receive, because
you ask with wrong motives,
so that you may spend it for your pleasures.
Denying Friendship with the World
4:4 You adulterers and adulteresses,
don't you know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?
Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an
enemy of God.
4:5 Or do you think that the Scripture
says in vain,
"The Spirit who lives in us yearns jealously"?
Developing Contriteness of Heart
4:6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says,
"God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
4:7 Be subject therefore to God. But
resist the devil, and he will
flee from you.
4:8 Draw near to God, and he will draw
near to you.
Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you
double-minded.
4:9 Lament, mourn, and weep.
Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to gloom.
4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of
the Lord, and he will exalt
you.
Faith Produces Respect for other Christians
4:11 Don't speak against one another, brothers.
He who speaks against a brother and judges his brother,
speaks against the law and judges the law.
But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge.
4:12 Only one is the lawgiver, who is
able to save and to destroy.
But who are you to judge another?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What are examples of desires that cause fighting and quarreling?
How might we distinguish between what we want and what we need?
What character quality or qualities should we develop to temper our
desires?
(ex: contentment, self control)
What things should the Christian keep in mind when deciding what to ask
God for?
In this case, "friendship with the world" James associates with
spending
things on our pleasures. What priority does pleasure seem to have when
we prioritize our time and finances?
"Friendship", normally a positive word, can have a very negative sense.
It can be associated with adultery, for example, if your friends are
inappropriate
ones. What other sorts of "friendships with the world" should we, as
Christians,
avoid?
The fact that God's Spirit envies calls into question whether envy is
in
fact evil. Are there also good ways in which we should apply envy?
How do you practice humility?
What does it mean by "double-minded" in vs 8?
vs 9 seems to be contrary to many people's concept of the Christian
faith
of encouraging joy. Is it always appropriate for Christians to be
outwardly
happy and joyful people? Might there be a certain arrogance and lack of
humility in being overly joyful?
What does it mean to slander?
Isn't vs 11,12 somewhat contrary to 1Cor 5:9-13?
Cross References (kjv)
vs 1 Mt 15:19"For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts,
murders,
adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:"
vs 2 Mt 7:7"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and
ye
shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:"
vs 3 Is 59:2"But your iniquities have separated
between
you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he
will
not hear."
vs 4 1Jo 2:15,16 "Love not the world, neither the things
that
are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is
not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and
the
lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is
of
the world."
vs 6 Pr 18:12 "Before destruction the heart of man is
haughty,
and before honour is humility."
vs 7 Heb 12:9"Furthermore we have had fathers of
our
flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much
rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?"
vs 8 Heb 10:22"Let us draw near with a true
heart
in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil
conscience,
and our bodies washed with pure water."
vs 9 Lu 6:25 "Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall
hunger.
Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep."
vs 10 Lu 14:11"For whosoever exalteth himself
shall
be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."
vs 11 Ro 14:12 "So then every one of us shall give
account
of himself to God."
vs 12 Ro 2:1 "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man,
whosoever
thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou
condemnest
thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things."
Comments
Pleasure Seeking
James 4:1 What causes fights and quarrels
among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?
The word "desires" here is the Greek word "hedone" from which we
derive the word "hedonism" which means "Pursuit of or devotion to
pleasure, especially to the pleasures of the senses" The American
Heritage Dictionary Pleasure seeking is not for the mature. And the
pursuit of pleasure keeps people in an immature state.
Luke 8:14 The seed that
fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their
way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures,
and they do not mature.
This should not be the state of the Christian. Paul says, "At one time we too were foolish, disobedient,
deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived
in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another." Titus
3:3 Why "at one time"? It should not be that Christians
continue in a devotion to pleasure seeking. And
"she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives." 1Tim 5:6 1Peter 2:11 Dear friends, I
urge you, as
aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires,
which war against your soul.
Conflicts between people are most frequently the result of one or the
one giving into their cravings for pleasure.
Discontent Prayer
James 4:2,3 You want something but don’t
get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You
quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When
you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that
you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
Killing is the extreme example of taking action to get what you want,
but first a person covets - desiring what is not meant for the person.
It seems to me that solution to all this is simply to practice
contentment. "Keep your lives free from the love
of money and be content with what you have" Heb 13:5a It's
interesting
that
John
the
Baptist
gave some soldiers advice saying,
"Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—
be content with your pay." In the place of killing and coveting,
be content. Paul learned contentment. He said, "I
know
what
it
is
to
be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I
have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."
Php 4:12 Even with respect to Paul's poverty, rather than ask
for money he waited for people to take initiative.
In fact when it comes to asking for stuff, whether from other people or
from God, at times asking is just an expression of illegitimate
discontentment. Here James says that God is not interested in answering
requests for things which are intended for one to simply spend on their
own pleasures. And this is also an example for those Christians who are
noted for their generosity. If people are asking with wrong motives,
then such Christians should do as God does.
Friendship with the World
James 4:4 You adulterous people,
don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God?
Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. "choose" here is boulomai which the lexicon indicates as a
"to
will deliberately". As such, becoming a friend of the world is not by
accident, but by choice. Here it is likened to deliberately chosing to
commit adultery. John writes,"Do not
love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the
love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world— the
cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what
he has and does— comes not from the Father but from the world." 1John
2:15,16
The "love" talked about here is likened to that of an adulterous
affair. What it involves is aligning ones desires to that of the worlds
- namely surrendering to the cravings of sin, lusts, and pride. In
contrast the grace of God "teaches us to say
"No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled,
upright and godly lives" Titus 2:12 "Once you were alienated from God and were
enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has
reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you
holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation" Col
1:21,22
But let no one confuse "friendship" here with being associated
with non-Christians. For Paul writes, "I have
written
you
in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people-- not at
all
meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and
swindlers,
or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world." 1Cor
5:9,10
But while it is necessary for Christians to associate with
non-Christians, they are still nonetheless reckoned enemies, and not
friends. "Friendship Evangelism" is somewhat a misnomer in this sense.
Love your enemies, but reckon them enemies.
God's Jealousy
James 4:5 Or do you think Scripture says
without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely?
Or as it says in Deut 4:24 "For
the LORD
your
God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." Likewise it says, "You shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose
name is Jealous, is a jealous God." Ex
34;14
Now while in many places jealousy is spoken of as a vice,
yet it seems there is one place where it is apparently a virtue - with
regards to marriage. If a spouse commits adultery it is right to feel
jealousy. As noted in the previous verse God treats our relationship
with him in like manner - as a marriage. In fact it says, "For this reason a man will leave his father and
mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.
This is a profound mystery— but I am talking about Christ and the
church." Eph 5:31,32
We see similar rhetoric elsewhere, such as 1Cor 6:15 "Do you not know that your bodies are members of
Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them
with a prostitute? Never!" God Opposes the Proud
James 4:6 But he gives us more grace.
That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to
the humble."
As I mentioned elsewhere, in any vertical relationship the one in
authority excercises grace while the one under authority practices
submission. This is the case for marriage. God is a much more gracious
husband than the world. The world is merciless to those married to it.
It exalts the proud and tramples the humble. In contrast God opposes
the proud but is gracious to the humble. In fact to become a Christian
one must be humble. Humility is prerequisite to everything in the
Christian life.
An example of this practice is found in 1Peter 5:5Likewise you younger people, submit
yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one
another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But
gives grace to the humble." The reference which Peter and James
are making is found in Pr 3:34 "He mocks
proud mockers but gives grace to the humble." Mocking is a
practice of the proud.
Wash Your Hands
James 4:7,8 Submit yourselves, then,
to God.
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he
will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your
hearts, you double-minded.
While our role is one of subordination we are also to actively
resist the devil, like Jesus said to him in the desert, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship
the Lord your God, and serve him only.’" Mt 4:10 The
world, the flesh, and the devil are not acting in a legitimate realm of
authority when they exert influence on the Christian to sin.
Now if you find God to be far away, who moved? Further notice here,
contrary to what some say, that for God to come near to us we must
first come near to him. Yes he took the initiative in giving us the
opportunity to be saved. For "God demonstrates
his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died
for us." Rom 5:8 But with regards to entering a saving
relationship with God through Jesus Christ, he will not save us without
our consent. We must comes to him to be saved. "The
Spirit
and
the
bride
say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!"
Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the
free gift of the water of life. Rev 22:17
Therefore it says, "Wash your hands, you
sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." After
hearing the gospel some men asked "Brothers,
what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of
you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And
you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:37,38 Likewise
Paul
in
describing
his
minstry said, "I preached
that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by
their deeds." Acts 26:20
Repentance from sin is a necessary and essential element in
establishing a right relationship with God. "Wash
your hands" refers to changing one's behavior. "Purify your hearts" refers to changing one's
attitude.
"Blessed are those who wash their robes, that
they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the
gates into the city." Rev 22:14
Turn Your Laughter to Mourning
James 4:9 Grieve, mourn and wail.
Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.
Likewise it says in Ecc 7:2"It is better to go to a house of
mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of
every man; the living should take this to heart." Thus "The heart of the wise is in the house
of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure."Ecc 7:4
In the present atmosphere of existentialistic
Christianity
focussed on feeling good, or what I call "feel-good" Christianity,
there
is a misconception that the Christian life is all about feeling good.
But
in fact it is not appropriate to always feel good. The Christian life
also
involves grieving and mourning and wailing and gloom. There's even an
experience
today in the Charismatic community referred to as "The Holy Laughter".
But what would be more edifying if there were a Holy Grieving.
"Woe to you who laugh now, for you
will mourn and weep."Luke
6:25
"Blessed are you who weep now, for you will
laugh."Luke
6:21
Can anyone deny even from one's own experience that grieving over one's
sin has a much more powerful effect on one's life then laughing? Do you
resent those who have made you feel bad? Might you not have too much
allegiance to your own feelings? Paul made the Corinthians feel bad,
yet he says, "Even if I caused you sorrow by my
letter, I do not regret it." 2Cor 7:8a For he was
willing to sacrifice their feelings for the sake of invoking their
repentance. Sometimes you just have to do that in serving Christ.
Today the
world laughs when it should cry and crys when it
shouldn't.
2Cor
7:10 "Godly sorrow brings repentance
that leads to
salvation
and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." People
despair over worldly things which they shouldn't have so many
expectations
about to begin with. But worldly things should not be taken so
seriously.
It's all going to perish. But the man who does the will of God lives
forever.
It is the spiritual things we should take seriously. Humble Yourselves
James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the
Lord, and he will lift you up.
This is one of the most common themes in the Bible.
Look
at all the great men (and women) of the Bible and consider what one
characteristic
did they have in common. HUMILITY. Moses, for example, was considered
the
most humble of his day. David grew up a simply shepherd. Jesus was
despised
and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And if
people are not humble enough, what does God do to draw them nearer? He
humiliates us. Consider God's dealings with Israel in the desert.
"He humbled you, causing you
to hunger and then
feeding
you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach
you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes
from the mouth of the LORD." Deut 8:3
In the Lord's dealings with the rich young ruler who thought he was a
good
person, he humiliated him. And to be saved we have to humble ourselves
and admit our sinfulness and the fact that we can't save ourselves, but
are in need of a Savior. And we have to accept Jesus as our Lord, as in
a master/slave relationship. And the living the Christian life, walking
as Jesus did, involves a great deal of humility and often humiliation.
This is the most essential of characteristics.
God responds to humility even more so than to external holiness, as
the
parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector revealed. But
humility
is also demonstrated through obedience, an obedience which is not
simply
self-righteous or self-seeking, but one born of God's perspective and
God's Spirit. This is true also in human relationships. In Proverbs,
the
observation is made:
Pr 29:23 A man's pride brings him low, but
a man of lowly spirit gains honor.
Do Not Slander
James 4:11,12Brothers, do not
slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges
him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you
are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one
Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—
who are you to judge your neighbor?
The NIV is imprecise and inconsistent in its
translation
of these verses. For the phrase "speaks
against" (NIV) is in fact the same word NIV translates "slander" at the beginning.
Although I prefer its usage of the word "slander" over
the
KJV's
"speak evil". However the word "slander" should be used
consistently throughout theses verses, as the same greek word
"katalaleo"
is used throughout. "Katalaleo" means to traduce - To cause
humiliation
or disgrace to by making malicious and false statements. This is
the
sense here. Thus it should be "anyone who
slanders his brother slanders
the law and judges it." He then transitions from speaking of
slandering
to speaking on judging based on one's own opinions. These are of course
related in that when one sets one's own opinion above God's, such a
person
ends up misjudging others. Jesus was subjected to such misjudgment in
his
trial by the Sanhedrin. So what criticisms you make concerning fellow
Christians, let them not contain false and malicious statements, but
rather even as Jesus said, "If I have spoken
evil, bear witness of the evil" John
18:23
And lest one misinterpret what James says here, Paul explicitly
commands, "What business is it of mine to judge
those outside the
church?
Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside.
"Expel
the wicked man from among you." 1Cor 5:12,13 We are to
judge fellow Christians, but not misjudge them.
JAMES 4:1-12
RAP
4:1 From where do fights and quarrels come?
From your desires within, are you so dumb?
You murder and covet and cannot get 2 You lust and do not have, I'll bet.
I'll tell you what you need to do
Just ask God, He'll answer you. 3 But remember that God will surely measure
Whether you're going to spend it on you pleasure.
Rather ask so as to serve the Lord.
With riches in heaven He will reward.
And don't as much with the world make friends,
Because you know how the story ends. 5 Don't make God's Spirit jealous. 6 God opposes the proud, doesn't He tell us.
So if you think you're going to stumble,
Just remember that God gives grace to the humble. 7 Submit to God, resist the devil.
When he flees from you, in God you'll revel. 8 Draw near to God and He'll come to you.
Repent from sin and see what God will do. 9 Grieve and mourn, wail and cry.
Change your laughter to mourn and to joy say "goodbye"
And if you do drink from this cup, 10 The Lord Himself will lift you up. 11 You know your brothers you should not slander
But let me speak with some candor.
He who speaks evil and judges his brother
Also speaks evil and judges another
He judges the law and speaks against it
But when against the law in judgment you sit
And don't bother doing what it says 12 You'll have one to judge you, I must confess.
There's only one who who will save and destroy
But when you judge you're brother you do Him annoy.
JAMES 4:1-12
RAP