Living Out Our Faith Submissively - James 4 Paragraph 1 Review
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INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Tonight we conclude our study of James 4:1-6 which is the first paragraph of this great chapter. As before, we will take just a few minutes summarizing each verse. Then, we will conclude with using 2 Timothy 3:16-17 as our guide.
So, let’s get right into it by reading the paragraph.
1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Here is what we learned from each of these verses.
PARAGRAPH RECAP
PARAGRAPH RECAP
1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
In this verse, the Holy Spirit exposes the underlying problem to all wars and fightings. It is our “lusts that war’ in our members. We learned two very important things.
Our Lust Are the Source of All Human Conflict
This is obvious by the verse itself. There is no denying its truth. We know that we are sinners born with an wicked tendency to do all that is contrary to God and His Word. There are many, many verses we turn to in support of this truth. However, for the sake of time and since we covered this extensively already, suffice it to say that we have a big spiritual issue.
Our Lust Are Secretly Preparing to War Against Us
This point was made more obvious by our word study. Our text says that speaks to the fact these lust “war” in our members. The word “war” here literally means “to make war.” The imagery associated with it is that of a great army encamped outside the walls of a great city preparing for its assault. Thus, our lust are lurking somewhat secretly inside us seeking to get their way. They are always there ready at a moment’s notice to divert our attention away from God and to ourselves. It is something that we must be aware of so we can effectively combat their advances.
2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
Verse 2 continues to expose the brutal reality of our lusts. Essentially, our lusts tend escalate sinful actions when they are unmet according to our pleasure. Here is what we learned.
Our Lusts Can be GOOD or BAD Depending On Its Motivation
The word “lusts” used in verse 2 is different than the word used in verse 1. In verse 2, the Greek word simply means to have a yearning desire or passion for something or someone. Thu, it is the object of our passion which determines the quality of desire. For example, we learned in verse 5 -
5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
Here we see an indication that God’s Spirit does indeed “lust.” However, His lust is not a sinful or evil things. Instead, God’s Spirit “yearns” after us. The word “lust” in verse 5 means a “great yearning or desire.” Therefore, He is passionate about our spiritual well being which is a good thing - a holy thing. Unfortunately for us, too many times our “lust” or our “passions” are directed towards pleasing self and not God. Anytime we focus on self is always leads to sinful deeds. That is the essence then of verse 2 and lead us to the next truth we learned.
Our Lusts Lead Us to an Escalation of Sinful Actions When Focused on Self
Note once again the progression.
James 4:2 (KJV 1900)
2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
James 4:2 (KJV 1900)
2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
James 4:2 (KJV 1900)
2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
Three levels of escalation are given.
Level 1 - Starts with a simple desire to have something or someone that another person has and enjoys which we want for ourselves.
Level 2 - Escalates when we don’t get what we want and so we resort to lying, cheating, stealing, and even killing to get what we feel we deserve.
Level 3 - This is the ultimate level of our lusts. This is the pinnacle where a person is willing to wage an all-out and open campaign to get what they want and they do not care who is destroyed in the process.
The end result of us seeking to achieve what we want is this. It is nothing. We have not. In each instance, there is sense of never getting what we truly desired. The reason for such an outcome is quite simple.
A Person’s True Desires Can NEVER BE SATISFIED APART From God
Now, here is where we come back to the context of the entire chapter. The Holy Spirit is speaking to us as believers. It is for this reason that verse 2 concludes with “yet ye have not, because ye ask not.” As a believer, our duty is always seek God’s will for our lives. Part of seeking His will includes the promise that by putting Him first He will take care of all our needs.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Therefore, any time we seek things outside of His will we are seeking those things which please our sinful lusts. And, as we already have learned, when we seek things that please our own lust it leads to sinful deeds that have a tendency to escalate. Unbelievers are a great example of this. An example, by the way, that we all understand because we were once without Christ. There is no doubt that everyone is seeking something to fill the great void in their life. What is this?
Men were CREATED as SPIRITUAL BEINGS.
Thus, they sense something spiritual is missing. It is reason why we have so many different religions in our world today.
Men CANNOT be SATISFIED by MATERIAL THINGS.
There is nothing this world has to offer that can fill the spiritual void. Men have tried time and time again. Each time they come up short. No amount of possession, power, or popularity can fill the void that only Christ can.
Men are UNABLE to CONTROL their SINFUL DESIRE to please themselves.
Only God’s Spirit and power can do bring under control the powerful passions of sinful self. It is the reason why each person needs to Christ as their personal Savior.
Now let’s consider verse 3.
3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
Verse 3 moves from a universal principle involving all people to some principles for believers only. At the heart of this verse and following verses, is this one great principle concerning believers. God desires what is best for you. Additionally, He knows what is best for you. For that reason, He sincerely yearns for us to come to Him with our requests. Our requests though must meet His standard. Therefore, there is an improper way and a proper way to submit requests to God.
The IMPROPER WAY to ASK of God is When We Ask for Selfish Reasons
We ask and do not receive because we ask amiss. Remember the word “amiss” carries the connotation of wicked in character or foundation. In other words, we ask amiss because our intent comes from a sinful heart. The intent is “consume it upon your lusts.” The word “consume” means to squander away. This verse stand as the antithesis of Matthew 6:33 and 1 Corinthians 10:31.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Any we do or ask must be for His glory and not our own. Anything outside of that parameter is asking amiss.
This next point is not contained in verse 3, but is found throughout other Scripture passages. We must ask the proper way.
The PROPER WAY to ASK of God is When We Ask Seeking His Glory
I already gave you Matthew 6:33 and 1 Corinthians 10:31. We also know from our text as well as other passages that God wants what is best for us. He yearns for our spiritual well being. We are spiritually fit when we submit and obey the principles of God’s Word. When we do, we become vessels of honor by which He uses us to reach others around us. Thus, we see His desire for us come out in such verses as Matthew 5:16
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
and John 15:8
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Moving on to verse 4 we read and learn this.
4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
The Holy Spirit begins this verse by using some harsh terms for us as believers. He does so because of the dangers that our sinful lusts cause. Whenever we give into the our sinful passions, it causes our life to be filled with the things of this world. We often term this as “worldliness.” In fact, this verse teach us that friendship with the world (worldliness) places us at odds with God. Thus, we learn:
Worldliness Leads to SPIRITUAL ADULTERY.
The marriage relationship is the closest thing we have in this present world which helps us understand Christ’s bond with us. Yet, even a strong Biblical marriage does not even come close the depths of which Christ loves and cares for us. His relationship with us is much deeper. His Spirit literally indwells us. It is a love that is accurately described in Romans when the Holy Spirit led Paul to pen Romans 8:38-39
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
For this reason, anything that captures our love and attention away from Him is met with a holy and righteous jealousy for us. In the end, our love affair with the world is spiritual adultery in our relationship with Christ. We break our commitment to Him as we turn to things that would gratify our sinful flesh. Thus, the Holy Spirit’s use of the terms “adulterers and adulteresses” shows how meaningful He sees our relationship with Him. Consequently, the goes on to warn us.
Worldliness Leads to SPIRITUAL HOSTILITY.
Friendship with the world is enmity with God. Nothing can be more easier to understand. It is a simple and truthful statement directly from God Himself, the God of truth. What does it mean to be a friend of the world?
It means living for all that this world has to offer.
It means desiring all that this world has to offer to the point of lying, cheating, stealing, killing, and warring to obtain its allurements.
It means turning your back on God so that you might please yourself.
The crazy thing about this whole scenario is that everything the world has to offer is temporary. It will all burn up with this world.
10 For he seeth that wise men die, Likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, And leave their wealth to others.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
The only things that are everlasting are the things of God. Why then would we so willing go after things which have no merit, no value, and no duration when we can have the eternal riches of God? It makes no sense until we understand the rot that exists in this old flesh. A rot that only can be cured by complete obedience and submission to Christ.
Now, at last, we come to verse five and six.
5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
These verses are full of valuable information in our war against the flesh. Our attention is arrested by the challenge “Do ye think?” There are some things we need to know and carefully consider.
We NEED TO KNOW the God YEARNS Over Us with ENVY.
Already, we covered the fact the word “lusts” can use in a positive or negative sense. Here is we find is used positively in relation to God. He “lusts” or as we noted earlier “has deep yearning or passion” for our spiritual well being. A fact that is noted when we consider the lengths to which He went in securing our redemption. It is a passion that continues after salvation. His passion persists in giving His Spirit to indwell us and giving us His Word to guide us. For that reason, we discover through His Word His deep desire for us to be holy even as He is holy. All that preceded this verse were warnings about lusts emanating from within. These lusts lead to sinful actions and a friendship with this world which betrays our relationship with Him. All which is important of us to know.
Why is important? Even when we are faced with great temptation and even when fail betraying His love for us, He does not cast us off or reject us. Instead, God continues to love us. He has a yearning and longing for us to return to Him. It is a desire that comes from His intense zeal to help us overcome sin our lives. It is one of the driving factors behind 1 John 1:9
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Note the reason why God encourages us to confess our sins. He is faithful in His zeal to forgive and cleanse. I have no idea what lusts or temptations of this world you might be facing this evening. It might be something that is so appealing that you have already fallen prey to its advances. However, it mattes not to what extent you have given into those lusts, there is always hope with God. Hope that is rooted in His love and passion for us. As a result, God’s grace and mercy says to us “I am here. I love you. I desire to help you overcome this great enemy within you. Turn to me. Confess your sin. I am faithful. I will forgive. I will cleanse you.” What a wonderful promise from a God of great love! All it takes is for you simply accept this wonderful fact about Him.
Here is the second thing we must know.
We NEED TO KNOW that God Gives the HUMBLE Believer GRACE and MORE GRACE, but He RESISTS the PROUD.
As we know, grace is unmerited favor. God’s grace begins with salvation.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
It continues with God giving us the necessary tools to live for Him.
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee.
If then we will utilize God’s Spirit in conjunction with God’s Word, we receive even more grace in overcoming our own sinful flesh and its lusts. However, the key to success is noted in verses 5 and 6 of our text.
6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Such grace comes to those believers who “humble” themselves before Him. It does not come to those who are full of themselves living a life of friendship with the world. Such believers find themselves opposed by God. He will not answer their prayers and He withholds adding grace to their lives. However that is not the case for those of a humble heart.
I believe the definition of “humble” speaks for itself. In a literal sense it means “that which is low and does not raise from the ground.” We are but lowly servants of the most High God. We have no rights. Our simple duty is complete obeisance and obedience to Him. It is never about what we desire. Instead, it is always about what please Him. Any other attitude is selfish pride. Scripture clearly indicates that God reacts favorably to those who willing place themselves before Him.
6 Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: But the proud he knoweth afar off.
19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
4 By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches, and honour, and life.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
In a nutshell, we learned from this paragraph that we have a problem. Our problem is the warring lusts emanating from our sinful flesh. It is the root cause of all wars and fightings within and without. These lusts lead to an escalation of sinful actions and an infiltration of worldliness for believers. Yet, we can overcome this problem by heeding God’s commands. It is simple of issue of making Him the center of our lives. All of our passion and love must devoted to Him and Him alone. As such, we humbly submit all that we are to Him by a total commitment to obey Him all areas of our life. It is only then, we can overcome the flesh, its passion, and be proper servant for the Lord.