James 4:4-10

Introduction: Friendship with the world causes most of the other problems James has addressed

I. Warning against friendship with the world

James 4:4–6 ESV

4 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. 5 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”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Accusation of adultery (James 4:4)

Why does James use the word adultery here?

He is writing to Christians who presumably have a relationship with God

Their idolatry constitutes unfaithfulness to God

OT depictions of idolatry as marital unfaithfulness

Isaiah 54:5-6

Ezekiel 16:38

Hosea 2:6-7

NT depictions of idolatry as marital unfaithfulness

Church as the bride of Christ

Adultery = friendship with the world

Friendship with both God and the world is mutually exclusive

What does friendship with the world look like?

Cultural understanding of friendship

Particular issues of friendship with the world in James

Wavering in suffering

Anger

Partiality

False religion

False wisdom

Trust in wealth

Selfish ambition

Quarreling, fighting, conflict

The jealousy of God (James 4:5)

James 4:5 ESV

5 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”?

James’ (non) quotation of Scripture: “God yearns jealously...”

James is referring to a well attested scriptural theme - God yearns for his people’s wholehearted devotion and allegiance

Is it wrong for God to be jealous? No.

Goes is not needy

God is not covetous

God is incapable of coveting, because he owns everything and lacks nothing

What does God’s jealousy mean?

ILLUSTRATION: Parenthood

Hatred for things that would pull your child away and lead them toward death

Longing for the love, affection, and good of your child

ILLUSTRATION: Marriage

Jealousy for your spouse is not covetous or wrong; its good

It is longing for what is yours by covenant

Transition: Adultery of humanity + jealousy of God = despair?

But God gives more grace (James 4:6)

James 4:6 ESV

6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

God opposes the proud

God gives grace to the humble

II. Command to repent with humility before God

James 4:7–10 ESV

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.