James 4

Intro

James is showing us Christian maturity

Chapter 1

trials show the strength of your faith

they are the exercise that works out the muscle of you faith.

trials come from God but not temptation

we can ask God for wisdom to understand our trials and he freely gives it.

we need to do the word, not just hear it

Chapter 2

Don’t be partial or show favoritism—very destructive in church.

Faith without works is dead, or useless.

Chapter 3

teaching and taming the tongue

Poinsettia example

It is true that Jesus is in heaven preparing a place for us (John 14:2). But He’s also preparing us for the place. And when we’re ready, He’ll take us home—either through the Rapture or through death.

James 4:1

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?

As in the previous chapters, James began this one with a clear introduction of a practical problem that his readers faced. He had just been referring to the importance of avoiding strife (3:14–16) and loving peace (3:13, 17–18). Now he attacked the problem of conflict (“quarrels and conflicts”) within and among believers.

In view of the terrible nature of the sins mentioned, and the absence of the affectionate address here, some commentators have concluded that James wrote this exhortation to unbelieving Jews. However Christians have been guilty of all the sins mentioned.

“The sudden transition from the beautiful picture in 3:17–18 of a life governed by heavenly wisdom to the appalling picture in the opening verses of chapter 4 is startling, but it demonstrates effectively the need for this vigorous rebuke now administered to the spirit of worldliness.”

Quarrels (Gr. polemoi, wars) could refer to disputes between several or many individuals, whereas conflicts (Gr. machoi, battles) probably describes the tensions within one individual or between a few individuals. Both types of conflict, large and small, are the enemies of peace. James was using diatribe (cf. 2:18), so “among you” has a general reference aimed at no particular group.

Pleasures are satisfied desires

Luke 8:14 14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.

Titus 3:3 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.

 The satisfaction of desire, which is what pleasure is, is something people spend vast quantities of time, money, and energy to obtain. Am I spending these resources to satisfy my personal desires or God’s desires primarily? 

Our personal desires are part of our human nature, and we will never escape their pull as long as we live in our present bodies. Nevertheless they must not dominate our lives. God’s desires must do that 

Matthew 6:33 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

James 4:2

You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.

The ultimate and worst case result of lust, a strong desire that a person might or might not satisfy, is murder. We can see this throughout human history, all the way from Cain (Gen. 4), through David

The only way to obtain satisfaction is to ask God to give it. We do not have what God wants us to have because we do not ask Him for these things. This is one of the most important verses in the Bible concerning prayer. There are some things we can have from God that we will not have unless we ask Him for them

Luke 11:5–13 5 And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Prayer is not giving orders. It’s reporting for duty

“No man is greater than his prayer life. The pastor who is not praying is playing; the people who are not praying are straying.” Ravenhill

Too many times prayer is us talking to God and not listening to what the spirit is saying.

An elderly man thinking his wife was losing her hearing went about 20’ behind her and asked “Can you hear me sweetheart?” No reply so he move to 10’ and asked again with no reply. He then moved 5’ but still no reply. He then got to within a few inches of her ear and said “Can you hear me sweetheart?” to which she replied, “For the fourth time, yes”.

James 4:3

You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

However we often ask God for things to enable us to satisfy our own selfish desires (“with the wrong motives”). For example, we request more time, more money, more energy so that we can do things that we desire but that God does not desire for us. What we need to ask Him to give us is more desire for what He promises and commands (for His will). We also need less desire for what is contrary to His will for us

Matthew 7:7–11 7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

When the wedding ran low on wine, Mary wasn’t content to say, “Help us, Jesus.” She was specific: “They have no more wine,” (John 2:3). A specific prayer is a serious prayer. If I say to you, “Do you mind if I come by your house sometime?” you may not take me seriously. But if I say, “Can I come over this Friday night? I really need your advice.” Then you know my petition is sincere. When we offer specific requests, God knows the same!

“The preacher’s five-year-old daughter noticed that her father always paused and bowed his head for a moment before starting his sermon. One day, she asked him why. “Well, honey,” he began, proud that his daughter was so observant of his messages. “I’m asking the Lord to help me preach a good sermon.” “How come He doesn’t answer it?” she asked.”

have you ever stopped to think about all the blessings you have in your life because God did not answer your prayer your way?

James 4:4

You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

The real issue is: Which will I love, God or the world?

If we agree with that kind of thinking we are unfaithful as the Lord’s spiritual brides, and we become enemies of God. We have deliberately chosen to follow the world’s philosophy rather than God’s will. We cannot be on friendly terms with God if we follow the world’s philosophy 

Matthew 6:24 (ESV) 24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

James 4:5

Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”?

In this verse James gave scriptural support for what he just asserted (v. 4). However he did not quote a particular verse but instead summarized the scriptural teaching on God’s jealousy (cf. Exod. 20:5; 34:14; Ps. 42:1; 84:2; Zech. 8:2) in a new statement

God’s people who love the world have committed spiritual adultery against Him (v. 4), yet God’s Spirit jealously longs for their love

When we talk about grieving the Holy Spirit, we must understand the Spirit is grieved not because we’ve hurt Him, but because—seeing what’s ahead for us if we continue on the path we’re on—He hurts for us.

 Your sixteen-year-old daughter can’t stop talking about him. So finally a week or two later, he shows up on his Harley in black leathers, a marijuana joint hanging out of his mouth, a swastika tattooed on his arm, a patch over his eye, a flask of whiskey in his pocket, a Playboy bunny on his shirt, saying, “I like your daughter.”  Although your daughter says, “Isn’t he dreamy?” you know he’s nothing but a nightmare—and that she’ll be hurt badly if she gets on his Harley and goes down the road of life with him.

Christ did not give you a car and tell you to push it. He didn’t even give you a car and tell you to drive it. You know what he did? He threw open the passenger door, invited you to take a seat, and told you to buckle up for the adventure of your life.

James 4:6

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Even when I’m asking for the wrong things God gives more grace to resist the temptation and/or to recover from the situation because where sin abounds, grace abounds more

Romans 5:20 20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,

God has set a high standard of wholehearted love and devotion for His people, but He gives grace that is greater than His rigorous demand.

There is never a point at which you are any less saved than you were the first moment he saved you. Just because you were grumpy at breakfast doesn’t mean you were condemned at breakfast. When you lost your temper yesterday, you didn’t lose your salvation. Your name doesn’t disappear and reappear in the book of life according to your moods and actions. Such is the message of grace. “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1 NIV).

You are saved, not because of what you do, but because of what Christ did. And you are special, not because of what you do, but because of whose you are. And you are his.

Proverbs 3:34, quoted here, reminds us that God opposes the proud: those who pursue their own pleasures. But He gives grace to the humble: those who put God’s desires first in their lives. He gives grace (help) to withstand the onslaughts of the flesh within and the world without.

Although God has grace to give to us to resist the temptation or to recover from the situation, there’s no room for pride.

James 4:7

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

We must resist Satan strongly (cf. 1 Pet. 5:9). When we do, he will flee from us. What is Satan trying to get us to do? The record of his temptations, including those of Eve and Jesus Christ, indicates that he wants to make us doubt, deny, disregard, and disobey God’s Word (cf. Gen. 3; Matt. 4). We resist the devil by refusing to do these things.

I am convinced that many people experience unnecessary hell in their homes or trials in their lives because they don’t understand this verse. They don’t realize that if they resist the devil, he will indeed flee.

Behind the cyclone fence of a house I used to jog by regularly was a little mousy dog. Every time I ran by, this little yapper would start at one corner of the yard and snap and bark at me the entire length of the fence. He’s crazy! I used to think—until it hit me one day that the only reason he was running alongside me barking noisily was because he thought he was winning. He thought he was chasing me away. So he did this over and over again because he thought it was working. One day, I just stopped and roared at the yappy little dog. He put his tail between his legs, rolled over on his back, and started shaking. At that point, the front door opened, and a lady peeked out, saying, “Pastor Jon?”!

James 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.

While resisting Satan on the one hand, we must also draw near to God on the other. When we do, He will come close to us.

 Draw nigh to God, and He might draw nigh to you. No. Draw nigh to God, and He will sometimes draw nigh to you. No. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. That’s a promise!

People say to me, “I’ve tried, but I can’t seem to connect with God.” “I don’t believe you,” I lovingly answer, “because God’s Word says He will always draw near to us if we draw near to Him.

We cleanse and purify them by confession and repentance. We must remove sin from our hands, and duplicity from our hearts

To come close to God we must go through a purification process reminiscent of what the priests in Israel underwent.

Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. When? When you’re serious about seeking Him. The idea is to be serious about it, to turn off the TV, to take some time and make an effort.

Right now, Channel 10 is broadcasting all sorts of words and images. But we aren’t tuned in to the frequency. To get the picture, we’d have to take some time, bring in a TV, and put up the antenna. Would we do that to impress Channel 10 to send pictures our way? No. They’re already doing that constantly. We’d have to bring in a TV and put up an antenna simply to get us in the position to receive what’s already being broadcast from Channel 10 continually.

James 4:9

Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.

James was calling his readers, who had compromised with the world by being double-minded, to get right with God. There is laughter and joy in the pursuit of personal desires, but we must abandon these in the process of repenting. James was not saying that Christians must be constantly miserable, mourning, weeping, and gloomy. These are only the outward signs of true repentance from a formerly divided attitude and sinful lifestyle

James 4:10

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

In concluding this section of direct advice (vv. 7–10) James sounded the same note with which he began: humble yourselves in God’s presence by putting Him before self. This always results in God lifting one up both immediately and eventually. Since this is the condition in which God can best use us, He will proceed to do so for His glory 

Matthew 18:4 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 23:12 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Luke 14:11 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Luke 18:9–14 9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

James 4:11

Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.

The speaking (Gr. katalaleo, speaking evil, maligning) in view is speaking disparagingly of, or down on, another Christian. To criticize (“speak against”) another, a person must conclude that he himself is right, and the person he is criticizing is wrong. This is passing judgment, taking the role of a courtroom judge.

What law is James talking about? The law of love. Galatians 5:14 says, “All the law is summed up in this one word: love.” Jesus said, “Upon loving God and loving our neighbor hang all the law and the prophets (see Matthew 22:40). So here James is saying, “Don’t speak evil of any brother or sister. If you do that, you’re not obedient to the law of love.”

James 4:12

There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

James was speaking of judging other people without divine authorization to do so, because there is only one Lawgiver and Judge.

Obviously God has delegated the responsibility of judging some civil acts to human governments, some church conduct to elders, and the behavior of children to their parents.

 His point was not that we should never criticize anybody, but we should never pass judgment in the sense of condemning someone, since only the divine Judge has the authority to do that.

One of the greatest days in my own Christian walk was the day the Lord whispered a very simple truth into my heart that changed my entire approach to ministry and to life. He said, “Jon, you love ‘em, and I’ll judge ‘em.” You see, before that, I had it the other way around. I thought it was the Lord’s job to love people and my job to judge them. I can’t tell you how freeing it was to discover that I had it backward!

James 4:13-14

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

James confronted his audience like the Old Testament prophets did. He began, “Come now” (cf. Isa. 1:18; et al.). The person in James’ illustration was probably a traveling Jewish merchant, “… the materialist core of the contemporary bourgeois [middle-class] prosperity.” Jewish merchants were common in the culture of James’ day, and undoubtedly some of them were Christian Jews. The plans of the man in James’ illustration were not wrong in themselves.

James 4:15

Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

The merchant should have made his planning in conscious dependence on God, recognizing His sovereign control over all of life (cf. Acts 18:21; 1 Cor. 4:19; 16:7; Phil. 2:19, 24). The Latin phrase, deo volente (“God willing,” abbreviated D.V.), remains in use even today among some Christians.

“A study of the use of this conditional clause [“If the Lord wills …”] in the NT makes it clear that we are not to repeat it mechanically in connection with every statement of future plans. Paul, for example, employs it in Acts 18:21 and 1 Corinthians 4:19, but he does not use it in Acts 19:21; Romans 15:28; or 1 Corinthians 16:5, 8. Yet it is obvious that whether Paul explicitly stated it or not, he always conditioned his plans on the will of God.”

James 4:16

As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.

James rebuked those of his readers who were living with this God-neglecting attitude. They derived joy from feeling that they controlled their own destiny. Here is the picture of the self-made man taking credit for what God has given him (“you boast in your arrogance”). Boasting of this kind is unrealistic. It betrays an attitude that puts man in God’s place. For this reason it is evil.

James 4:17

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

The person that James just pictured was guilty of a sin of omission (cf. Luke 16:19–31). It is probably not just any sin of omission that is in view here but the sin of failing to acknowledge dependence on the Lord (v. 15). The independent person in view failed to acknowledge the place that God occupies in life as sovereign over all things

There are those who say, “I’m going to do this. I’m going to retire there. I’ve got my future all worked out.” But when asked if they’re going to church on Sunday or if they’ll have devotions tomorrow, they say, “If the Lord wills.” Do you see the irony? “I’m going skiing next week, or on vacation in July,” we say. But regarding church tomorrow night, we say, “We’ll see what God has in store.” We have it backward! We should be saying, “I may go skiing next week if God wills. Or, I may take a vacation in July if that’s what the Lord has for me. But as for going to church on Sunday? I’ll be there absolutely!” That’s why James says, “If you know what’s right, but hide behind the excuse of waiting for God’s leading before doing it, it’s sin.”