James 4:1-12 - Winning by Avoidance

40 years ago a movie was released about a teenager who found himself in unwanted quarrels and conflicts. Through a wise teacher he learned: wax on, wax off, sand the fence, paint the fence. Miyagi taught young Daniel that the best way to take a punch is to block the punch, the best way to win a fight is to avoid the fight.

The series of 3 movies and the 2010 remake of the first are all lessons in silencing quarrels and fights by disciplined meekness.

That whole franchise of films was created in an attempt to answer the question that James poses in the first 9 words of today’s Scripture.

Transition: If you have ever, no, let me put it this way…whenever you put your pleasure in the driver’s seat (what is called Hedonism) you are living out the passions described by James.

The problem of our Passions (James 4:1-5)

our passions cause quarrels (James 4:1)

Psychologists talk about a fight or flight response. And James says too often in the church we choose one of these 2 responses.

But what if there is a 3rd way? What if faith is better than either fighting or hiding?

The last 10 days have seen a revival of many social media posts that resurface after public tragedies. I’ve seen the one about a rock in Cain’s hand led to murder, a rock in David’s hand felled Goliath: the problem is not with the rocks.

But an anecdote like this quickly breaks down. Cain’s use of the rock was not because he was a “bad guy” and David’s use of the rock was not because he was a “good guy” because sometimes “good” guys make “bad” choices.

Cain picked up a rock because he was passionate about a situation where he felt disrespected. David picked up 5 rocks because God told him too, and there is no record that he ever used 4 of them! Do we give 4x as much thought to the restraint of those 4 rocks, or the 20% of his magazine that he unloaded?

James 4:1 clearly states that substituting our passions for God’s justice does not produce the harvest of righteousness sown by peacemakers in James 3:18! Yes, David drew one stone out of his bag, but there is no record that he ever reloaded his sling.

our passions create lack (James 4:2-3 statements)

desire

cannot obtain

do not have

do not receive

All four of these deficiencies is because we rationalize that we know what is best for us and we can somehow achieve it by our efforts. Forcing our passions above God’s gracious will NEVER has a good outcome. When our waring passions take precedence over God’s good gifts we neglect gratitude.

Dr. Chuck Swindoll writes, “Those who fight out of frustration fail to turn to God for their provision.”[i]

our passions reveal strife (James 4:2-3 subordinate clauses)

murder - character assassination or cancel culture

‌ You may recall our series on the Sermon on the Mount where I explained Jesus’ words in MT 5:21-22 “you have heard it said, do not murder, but I say” is a picture that murder is just the last station on the anger train line. We board that train long before it gets to the end of the line.

fight

do not ask

ask wrongly (selfishly)

1 John clarifies some wrong application of what he wrote in his Gospel (John 15:7 – ask whatever you wish). [John didn’t word it wrongly, but some people read a wrong emphasis into it] People claim whatever without remembering the quotes in the chapter before and the chapter after-- John 14:14 or John 16:23 – in my name. In his first epistle he clarifies by pointing out conditions of obedience and pleasing God in 1 John 3:22, and according to His will in 1 Jn 5:14. John and James are on the same page!

our passions magnify struggle

‌ Have you noticed how one area of your life impacts others? Conflict at work impacts your peace of mind at home; Poor sleep impacts your memory; financial struggle impacts mood, etc.

When part of our life is out of kilter, other areas experience frustration. I hope you don’t kick the dog or yell at your spouse, but the quarrels of v.1 are the result of selfish passions which are an outgrowth of a deficient relationship with your God.

misaligned values make an enemy of God. (James 4:4)

‌adulteress is harsh language, but what else do you call it when the Bride of Christ illegitimately goes after the love of another, the world?

misaligned values squander God’s intent (James 4:5)

The quotation in v.5 is perhaps the hardest to translate in the entire book. Is spirit talking about the Holy Spirit or the soul God has placed in a person? Is the spirit the subject or object of the verb to yearn jealously?

To quote the 1970’s rock band Cheap Trick, actually their hit song is stolen from the mind of God…He wants us to want Him.

Transition: The underlying problem with our passions is that they run contrary to the desire of the good God who created and loves us.

The Contrast of our bent vs. God’s blessing (James 4:6)

our pride creates opposition in the very relationship God wishes to bless.

The conflicts in your life are probably NOT because you haven’t asked Jesus to “take the wheel” I dare say if you experience anything in vv.1-5, it’s because you’ve put Jesus in the passenger seat! You don’t need to hand him the wheel, you need to get out, walk around the car and change seats!

Transition: The rest of today’s text describes how to vacate the driver’s seat.

The solution is our submission (James 4:7-12)

Vertical actions (between you and God) (James 4:7-10)

5 intentional actions: submit, resist, draw near, cleanse & purify.

Submit means to chose one path, resist means to avoid the other path, and draw near means don’t just admire the path, but start walking in that direction. Just as submit/draw near convey intent and action, cleanse/purify carry the same idea.

‌ put the dishes in the sink, then wash them. put them in the dishwasher, then run it.

There are many of us who submit or cleanse on Sunday, by forget to draw near or purify by Monday. Am I the only husband or child who say “yes, I’ll do it” then forget to take out the trash when we get up from the couch? I know I’m not the only one who finds myself in the other room and asks himself, now, what am I after? Decision AND follow-through are both important.

2 resulting conditions: be wretched, deal seriously (my paraphrase).

‌ We may chuckle at our forgetfulness. But James reminds us that putting our passions above the Lord’s will or the blessing of others demands swift and serious action.

1 summary statement: humble and be exalted.

‌ As it relates to my vertical relationship, I must ALWAYS choose, because it is ALWAYS best, to humble myself and wait for His promotion!

If you underline, highlight or write notes in your Bible, I suggest you do all 3 to James 5:10

Horizontal choices (between you and others) (11-12)

words - speak

thoughts - judge

stay in your lane - only one

James concludes by addressing both our words AND our attitudes because neither you nor I are the law OR judge.

Let me pre-empt this Illustration by stating that I have NO individual in mind!

High School sports across our nation is facing a crisis. [The specific crisis I’m thinking about is NOT boys competing as girls, although that is a tragedy also]. The crisis I have in mind is the shortage of officials. A large contributor to this crisis is the inability of spectators to avoid quarrels with officials.

Unfortunately, the mama bear mindset is not only seen in sports, James’ instruction reveals it has shown up in local churches since the earliest days.

Transition: The Holy Spirit is speaking to us through James and He is saying you can be either a player, a coach, a spectator, or an official, but you can only be one at a time.

Conclusion:

If you are a player, you can make sure you are complying with the officials and the rules of the game, but neither players nor spectators are called on to officiate the other team. We have to trust the officials to maintain the tone of the competition.

Quarrels and Conflict are avoided when we mortify passions and intensify submission!

In the words of that great theologian, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, You’ve got to pray for the freedom of contentment!

Our response song is going to be a little different this morning. It is a call and response song where you will sing to the Lord what I prompt. The 2nd time I’m going to change the lyrics. Just follow the screen and listen to me and we’ll be fine, then the 3rd time we’ll follow the track and screen.

Song of Response ..... “I’ve Been Redeemed”

[i] Swindoll, Charles R. 2014. Insights on James, 1 & 2 Peter. Vol. 13. Swindoll’s Living Insights New Testament Commentar. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.