Warning Against Worldliness

Change of Focus

Read

“Why do you think James starts with multiple questions here?

Remind them of the intro of James, the church is fighting

Read 2

Do you think James actually means they murder?

Read

When we ask God for things and He does not answer, many times we feel like God does not respond

James tells us here that we need to ask and if God does not answer our prayer in the way we want, it is because we are asking for our own interests instead of God’s interests

instead of God’s interests

Read

Focus on the word adultery

James uses the word adultery to call the church out for being unfaithful to God

Read -8

James tells them to resist evil and turn towards God

Why does James end with “You double minded”

See

Give example of poetry repetition

Read

James tells us not to judge our brothers

James says whoever judges their brother speaks evil against the law and judges the law

James is talking about God’s commandment to love your brothers and sisters in Christ

So if you judge them, you are breaking the commandment to love

Talk about what Judging actually means

The law requires that people love their brothers and sisters in Christ. To speak evil against them violates the kingdom command to love

Application

James may be talking to his church but God is still communication through James to all Christians

God is telling us that we have it all wrong

He’s saying, everything you do is all about you and never for my glory

In verse 1 James says we are fighting over our passions

In 2 he says that we desire so we murder, “Murder means anger or hatred”

And in 3 it says even when we pray to God we only have our own interests in mind

How many times do you go to pray and it’s all about you

God help me tomorrow, God help me with this test, God can you please help me through this hard time

How often do we pray and say, “hey God, I know I have a lot going on, but no matter what happens, I pray you use me for your glory”?

James is telling us to turn away from our own interests and stick close to God and focus on Him

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 4

The law requires that people love their brothers and sisters in Christ. To speak evil against them violates the kingdom command to love