Worldly Attitude, Worldly Actions, Worldy Worship

Introduction

Worldly actions have no room in the church. The world believes that pettiness, revenge and materialism are acceptable when in reality the mindset attached to those characteristics are completely opposite from what God desires. James is addressing the church. This church has been plagued with the idea of materialism, church politics, and jealousy. Even to the point that he says there is war in your members. Just as Peter states in “Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul”.

The prescription is self control. Materialism and warring with one another can drain the life out of your worship because what has consumed you becomes the forefront of your thoughts rather than God. Fighting, bickering and war with each other do more destroying than upbuilding. Encourage, edification and exhortation should be the recipe for growth rather materialism, disdain and jealousy.

Worldly attitudes bring about wordly actions which bring about a worldly worship. If we do not draw near to God, he can not draw near unto us. Let us draw near, let us connect with God this morning.

Worldly Attitude

Typically the source of sinful behavior begins with attitude. James asks what is the source of the conflict? When we become consumed with what we do not have and we lose sight of what God has done for us our worship moves from a place of thanksgiving to a place of, We can’t because we do not have rather than “Thank you God for this blessing, we are dependent upon you.

We’ve been set free by Jesus Christ, he liberates us. Focusing on what you cannot do or what you do not have obligates you to operate in a place of restriction rather than a place of freedom.

A worldly attitude is the complete opposite of how Christ expects us to act and think. Understand that wrath stems from a worldly attitude. Be angry, but sin not.

A worldly attitude leads to what is described in verse 2, it is suggested that based on the context of this chapter verse 2 is to be taken figuratively.

Worldly Actions

You lust and do not have - we spend so much time on things we do not have, we lose sight of what God wants to provide for us.

You commit murder - Our attitude can kill the spirit and the zeal of people if we are not careful.

Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

When jealously, revenge and strife become the language of the church all we do is fight and quarrel because we are not in line with the mission that God has given us. These are strong words, wars, fightings, but it is to stress the serious of their actions.

“You do not have because you do not ask” We have to be mindful of our conduct when we get to a place where we become so caught up with proving each other wrong that we forget to ask God what is right.

Understand that God has the power to refuse to answer our prayers. Asking is one part of it, but asking with the right motives is important as well.

“You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures”.

If we want to move, we have to ask God to direct our steps. When materials become the first priority in your life, you begin to do unethical things to keep them.

“The love of money is root of all evil”. Prioritizing material things higher than God has been the downfall of a lot of great men and women on this earth.

Verse four, the church is rendered as adulterers in action. This scripture levels the playing field of sin. It’s no more of a sin to cheat on your wife than it is to put material things before God.

Worldly actions separate us from God. “Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

This scripture is not saying that we cannot have friends outside of the body of Christ, this is referring to the world Philos meaning a person with whom one has a close bond or friendship. The writer is saying one has to chose the order in which they will fall under. Either you will build a relationship with the order of the world or the order of God - not both.

Let us not forget the reason why we are here. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

Worldly Worship

Why did you come today? If not for God, then what is the reason?

Understand that there is great purpose in the scriptures. There is great power in the word of God, it sustains the deepness of our spirits.

Our spirituality or lack of spirituality is exposed when our allegiance to the world takes precedence over our relationship with God.

I’m unsure we realize the God we are dealing with: Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘I am exceedingly jealous for Zion, yes, with great wrath I am jealous for her.’

We are in the midst with a God that not only gives grace but gives more grace. He is a more grace God! He is worth of praise.

Though He scoffs at the scoffers, Yet He gives grace to the afflicted.

Yet He gives grace to the afflicted.

God jealously desires to permanently dwell in his creation. Pride keeps God away from us, a More Grace God is prevalent in the hearts and minds of the humble.

Our worship to God is a submission to him, a stern resisting of Satan. As a church we have the ability to resist the devil but allowing God to dwell in us individually is the first step to him dwelling in this church collectively.

Bow before God, understand that no matter how far you believe you are from God right now once you begin to draw near to him he will draw near to you.

Cleanse your hands, let go of the wrath and dissension.

Purify your hearts, let go of the hate in your heart and open it up for God.

Recognize that we are not perfect, and understand that God provides sanctification for those who obey him.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.