Self-Centered Life (Part 1)

Introduction

Cain and Abel as illustrations?

Consider David, Bathsheba and her husband

Big Idea: The danger of living a self-centered life.

This chapter will be a long series dealing with self-centeredness.

1. Self-Centered Life Lies Within Our Selfish Desires (V.1b)

The word “passion” is where we get the word “Hedonism.” Hedonism is a philosophy that says that whatever feels pleasurable must be a good thing.

This passion may be alluding back to the bitter jealousy and selfish ambition (3:14).

James describes that their passions/pleasures/lust are at war within them. Literally, their pleasures are waging war in the members of their body.

There is an internal struggle and war inside of you......

Before you’re a Christian, you were a slave to your sinful and selfish desires (READ ).

Christ set us free so that we are no longer slave to sin, but slave of Christ. But, we often want to fall back into sin…

2. Self-Centered Life Is The Source Of Conflicts (V. 1-2)

James talks about Christians quarrelling and fighting.

Quarrelling means that there is a serious conflict and hostility happening between the Christians, sometimes involving a series of attacks.

Fighting is similar to quarrelling, but perhaps this one involves having a battle between both parties, but without weapons. Such fighting is intensive and bitter

What exactly is the nature of the conflict? Or, what exactly are the Christian fighting about? What exactly are they desiring?

What exactly is the nature of the conflict? Or, what exactly are the Christian fighting about? What exactly are they desiring?

We do not know exactly. Context may give us hints.

Back in 3:1, perhaps some of the Christians desired to be teachers, but James gave them a warning......

Whatever it may be, it is definitely serious enough to provoke someone to murder, fight, quarrel, and not to pray.

Perhaps some of the Christians have this

Talk about Murder. ()

The fact

James does not directly talk about what they are fighting about because he is more concerned with their hearts.

When you follow what your heart desires, you may end up not following God. Instead, you are following your sins. To put it more in a darker tone, you are following the path of the evil one.

Self-Centered Lifestyle could cost you your soul (READ )

Talk about Murder. ()

James is making a warning to the Christians that if they do not have their hearts checked, then fighting and quarrelling that are happening in the church COULD result in murder.

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter of James B. True Wisdom Brings Peace (3:13–4:3)

Verbal argument, private violence, or national conflict—the cause of them all can be traced back to the wrongful lust to want more than we have, to be envious of and covet what others have, whether it be their position or their possessions.

3. Self-Centered Life Hinders Prayer Life (v.3)

Did you know that there are prayers that God does not answer?

- when a husband does not live in an understanding way to his wife.

- when God’s people are being wicked and unjust.

- when Christians doubt God while praying.

In this verse, God does not answer prayers of His children who have selfish and wrong motives.

Wrongly could also be translated as “wickedly.” It is speaking about bad and harmful motives.

Their motive is to spend whatever they’re asking to feed their passions/pleasures/lust rather than honouring and pleasing God.

This type of spending is to splurge your resources in a wasteful manner, kind of like the prodigal son.

Your prayers could expose your selfishness.

Not saying we cannot ask God to help us in our exams, but we must ask ourselves why we are asking God to help us in our exams. Is it to fulfill our selfish desires of wanting to get an honour roll and hopefully get into a good university?

You ask God to help you, and he helps you. Once you’re helped, you may thank God and forget about Him.

We all want to ask God for something, except we do always ask God to be our everything.

Creation > Creator.

Conclusion

Repent of our self-centered living.

We are all selfish one way or another.