Godly Living

Introduction

We might be Christians, but we often have two masters: ourselves and God. These are constantly at war with one another. The N.T. refers to this as a spiritual battle/war (Ephesians 6:10-18) and calls the two armies who are at war the flesh and the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-25). Yes, we want to serve God and have the benefits of belonging to Him, but we also want to live our own lives and pursue our passions and dreams unhindered. We want God without the surrender, we want blessings without submission, we want heaven to be our home without living like we are strangers in a foreign land on earth.

I. Self-Focus (vv. 1-5)

-Self-focus leads to worldly living

A. Our lust, the pleasures of our flesh, results in evil things (arguments, envy, murder, etc.) (vv. 1-2)

1. This is what we call temptation (pleasures that wage war in your members)

a. The desires of your flesh (base cravings of evil in your thoughts), if left unchecked and are dwelt upon, will overflow into sinful actions

b. John describes fleshly pleasures in his first epistle as “lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life” (1 John 2:16). In other words, it looks good, sounds good, and feels good, but it is really evil.

2. Illus. kids think only of themselves and the fun they want to have

a. When they see another kid having fun with a toy they immediately want it and will even fight over it

b. When we think of ourselves first and pleasing our desires then we end up hurting other people, being envious of what they have, and even fighting with them.

B. We are tempted by our pleasures to please self at all costs and it impacts our circumstances and relationships, including our relationship with God (vv. 3-5)

1. We ask God for things (blessings, help, etc.) but do not get an answer

a. We then feel neglected and doubt if God even loves us. But check your motives!

b. Are you asking for things from God to give full vent to your evil cravings? Being too friendly with the world makes us enemies of God

1. Instead of dwelling in His presence we stand against Him. We want to make ourselves happy instead of becoming more holy

2. Therefore, we are enemies of God, even if we say the right things in prayer. Where does your heart lie?

c. 1 Chronicles 28:9 ““And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.”

2. As Christians, we belong to God. So, we need to set our priorities in check

a. We have been bought at a price (1 Corinthians 6:19–20 “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”)

b. God is a jealous God, He wants us and rightfully so

c. When we seek the world and the things of the world we are effectively rejecting God as our Master. He graciously gave His Spirit to live in us and wants to see the Fruit produced in our lives.

C. What is the fruit of self-focus?

1. Arguments, conflicts, fleshly pleasures (v. 1)

a. Lust, murder, envy (v. 2)

b. Adultery (v. 4), pride (v. 6)

2. When we desire a higher standing in this life, trying to impress people to stroke our egos, giving full vent to our pleasures and desires then we are enemies of God

a. Our motivation changes the trajectory of our lives

b. Do you want more of what the world offers or do you want more of what God offers?

II. God-Focus (vv. 6-15)

A. Our focus needs to shift from self to God

1. Our duty is to elevate God to the highest position in our lives

a. When He is in His rightful place then our trajectory is Godliness, friendship with God, pleasing the Spirit that indwells us, and grace from a humble heart

b. This comes from surrender and submission (Luke 9:23 “And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”)

1. Surrender is denying self and dying to self. It’s not about us anymore. We take selfish ambition and our pleasures out of the scenario

2. Submission is following Jesus. He is the Master, Our ways become His ways. We commit to doing what pleases Him even when we don’t feel like it or when it is hard

2. How do we surrender and submit to God?

B. First, Humility in the Presence of God (vv. 6-10)

1. Notice the emphasis James has: Submit to God (v. 7), draw near to God (v. 8), humble yourself in the presence of the Lord (v. 10), do not judge for there is One Judge and Lawgiver (vv. 11-12), don’t make plans solely for yourself, for there is One Planner and Guide, God (vv. 13-15).

2. Instead of letting your feelings and desires drive your life, be intentional

a. Submit (obey) God and resist the devil. Here’s a promise and a guarantee: resist the devil and he will flee from you. (ex: Jesus in the wilderness)

1. Seek out ways to obey God, make it a priority in your day to do one thing you know will please Him

2. Start with praying when you first wake up and listening to a chapter of the Bible

b. Seek God’s presence (v. 8-10)

1. When you camp out in a text look for God. Not doctrine or theory, but God the Person. When you pray ask for Him to draw near as you seek Him (Exodus 33:12-23)

2. Only from being in God’s presence, understanding His glory, seeing His Person and His Goodness, only then will you be driven to cleanse your work, hearts, and minds of sin

3. Only then will you be miserable and mourn over the sinfulness of your fleshly pleasures because you understand how utterly sinful sin really is

c. Humble yourself before God and He will exalt you. But you must surrender yourself and submit to His ways

C. Second, Honor your Brothers (vv. 11-12)

1. The second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself

a. Don’t judge your fellow Christians when they struggle with the same selfishness and pride you have struggled with

b. Matthew 7:1–6 ““Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.”

2. God is the only One who has the right and capability to judge the thoughts, words, and actions of people

a. Our primary goal needs to shift to show the grace and mercy He has shown us, not to get a pat on the back, but to benefit and grow our neighbors

b. Stop doing destructive things with your brothers (fights, coveting, etc.), instead, show Christlike love and service to them. Honor your brothers

D. Third, Heed God’s Will (vv. 13-15)

1. Which is your focus? Making a good living for your own comforts and pleasures? Or, being led by God with your work?

a. God gives wonderful principles of working hard, leaving an inheritance for your children’s children, providing for your families, etc.

b. Just don’t let the work and the money become the goal of your life

2. What happens when God has something different in mind for you? Are you willing to quit a job or move houses if you felt God was leading you that direction?

a. Yes, make your plans but do it with the Lord’s desires in mind. Let His ways, principles, and desires be at the forefront of your thinking

b. “Will this be pleasing to God?” That can take a lot of prayer and thought. So, don’t rush your decisions

Conclusion (vv. 16-17)

We boast of our accomplishments and are proud of how we fulfill our fleshly pleasures. That is evil. We know the right thing to do: deny ungodliness and pursue God and His ways. So, when we pursue self and enjoy the worship of our pleasures then we are committing sin. Instead, surrender yourself to Christ and submit to His lead. We know what is right, so, strive to do it.