Book of James (4)
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What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
James 4:1-4
What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
THEMES: 1. Warnings Against Worldliness; 2. Boasting About Tomorrow
THEMES: 1. Warnings Against Worldliness; 2. Boasting About Tomorrow
James 4:1-
James 4:1
What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter of James B. True Wisdom Brings Peace (3:13–4:3)
Desires translates the Greek word hēdonē, which means simply “pleasure,” but often with the connotation of a sinful, self-indulgent pleasure (we get our word “hedonism” from it)
1. You desire and do no have, so you murder
1. You desire and do no have, so you murder
2. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel.
2. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel.
3. Why don’t we receive?
3. Why don’t we receive?
You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
Jer 3
Surely, as a treacherous wife leaves her husband, so have you been treacherous to me, O house of Israel, declares the Lord.’ ”
Note: James, following this tradition, uses “adulteresses” to label his readers as unfaithful people of God. By seeking friendship with the world, they are, in effect, committing spiritual adultery.
Note: James, following this tradition, uses “adulteresses” to label his readers as unfaithful people of God. By seeking friendship with the world, they are, in effect, committing spiritual adultery.
Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
James 5:
but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
Apollos.
Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
James 4:11-1
4. Is there a proper way to judge?
4. Is there a proper way to judge?
Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
gal 6:
But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.
I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.
Gal
Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.
rom 16:17
Boasting About Tomorrow
Boasting About Tomorrow
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
5. In business, is it wrong to plan, develop forecasts and make a profit?
5. In business, is it wrong to plan, develop forecasts and make a profit?
6. What is the reason for James’ chastisement of the merchants?
6. What is the reason for James’ chastisement of the merchants?
Failed to look at life from a Christian perspective
Failed to look at life from a Christian perspective
Did not acknowledge the Lord’s sovereignty and providence as they made their plans
Did not acknowledge the Lord’s sovereignty and providence as they made their plans
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter of James A. Arrogant Planning Ignores God’s Providence (4:13–17)
James is not rebuking these merchants for their plans or even for their desire to make a profit. He rebukes them rather for the this-worldly self-confidence that they exhibit in pursuing these goals—a danger, it must be said, to which businesspeople are particularly susceptible
7. What message does James give on a person’s expectation of life?
7. What message does James give on a person’s expectation of life?
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
8. What is the key qualifier we all should add to our planning?
8. What is the key qualifier we all should add to our planning?
Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”
9. What is the root problem of their boasting?
9. What is the root problem of their boasting?
As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.