James 4:1-3

James 4:1–3 (NASB95)

1 What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.

This is a Difficult Passage to Understand

But I Think it’s Possible with a Little Context

James 3:1 (LSB)

1 Do not, many of you, become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment.

There were Apparently Many Among James Recipients…

That Wanted to Be Teachers (Have Roles of Leadership/Authority/Honor)

James Goes on in the Following Verses…

To Explain Why They shouldn’t Become Teachers

They Apparently had Very Little Self-Control Over Their Mouths

That Doesn’t Make a Good Teacher

The James Says:

James 3:13–18 (NASB95)

13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.

17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. 18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

James’ Recipients Think that They are Wise…

But They had Earthly, Natural, Demonic Wisdom

This Wisdom is Characterized By Bitter Jealousy & Selfish Ambition

But Wisdom from Above is Characterized By Peacemaking

James 4:1-3 Carries on this Same Discussion

James 4:1–3 (NASB95)

1 What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.

They are Fighting Amongst Each Other

They are Using Their Mouths to Attack/Slander/Hurt Each Other…

Instead of Building Up and Making Peace with Each Other

Why are They Doing this??

They have “Pleasures that Wage War in Their Members”

They have an Earthly/Natural/Demonic Wisdom

They are Filled with Bitter Jealousy & Selfish Ambition

Why are They Jealous of Each Other?

James Doesn’t Tell Us

But Considering the Context…

They are Jealous of Those Who are Teachers

(Those Who have Roles of Leadership/Authority/Honor)

To have Roles of Leadership/Authority/Honor…

All They have to Do is Ask God

James 1:5 (NASB95)

5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

God Gives Wisdom from Above to Those Who Ask

And Wisdom from Above…

Is What is Needed to Be a Leader in the Christian Community

But When They Ask God for Wisdom…

He Doesn’t Give it to Them

Why?

Because Their Hearts aren’t Right

They Only Want to Be Leaders…

To Satisfy Their Bitter Jealousy and Selfish Ambition…

Not to Edify/Encourage/Lead the Church in Christ-Likeness

God Wants to Answer Our Prayers

He Wants to Give Us What We Need

He Wants to Give Us Wisdom to Do His Will

But Maybe Our Prayers so Often Go Unanswered…

Because They’re All about Satisfying Our Desires…

And Not His Will

God has a Purpose/Role in His Kingdom for All of His People

Instead of Jealously/Selfishly Seeking Certain Roles…

We Need to Humbly Submit to God’s Will

Ask God to Give You Exactly What You Need to Do His Will…

Not What You Want to Do Your Will

And When You Ask, Align Your Heart with God’s

Don’t Ask God Out of Jealousy/Selfishness

Ask God so that He can Be Glorified and Others can Be Blessed