James 4: Conflicts Caused by Lust

Read James Chapter 4

Introduction: James 4 gives us a lesson on conflicts, worldly desires, humility, and drawing near to God. The chapter urges believers to reflect on the source of their disputes and encourages them to submit to God, resist the devil, and purify their hearts. This chapter also emphasizes the importance of not judging others and leaving the future in God’s hands. The messages are clear: humility before God leads to grace, and worldly pride leads to conflict. In understanding and applying these teachings, one can find peace and a closer relationship with God.

I. The Source of Conflicts and Quarrels (James 4:1-3)
The opening verses of James 4 diagnose the cause of fights and quarrels among believers as stemming from their desires that battle within them. The passage criticizes them for their wrongful motives when they ask for things in prayer, leading to unanswered requests.

Cross references:

• 1 Peter 2:11 warns believers about abstaining from sinful desires, which wage war against the soul, mirroring James’ sentiment about internal battles.
• Galatians 5:17 explains the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit, which is analogous to the desires that cause quarrels in James.
• Romans 7:23 discusses the war within members, the internal conflict that aligns with the struggles mentioned in James 4:1-3.

II. Friendship with the World (James 4:4-5)
These verses admonish those who befriend the world and become enemies of God. It speaks directly to the spiritual adultery of preferring worldly pleasures over God’s love.

Cross references:

• 1 John 2:15-17 warns against loving the world and the things in the world, echoing James’ stance on worldliness.
• Romans 8:7 suggests that the mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God, which reinforces the message in James about enmity with God.
• Matthew 6:24 states that one cannot serve two masters, reflecting James’ teaching about the incompatibility of friendship with the world and with God.

III. Humility and Grace (James 4:6-10)
James emphasizes that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. The passage advises readers to submit to God, resist the devil, and purify their hearts in a display of genuine repentance and humility.

Cross references:

• Proverbs 3:34, from which James quotes directly, tells that God scorns the scornful but gives grace to the lowly.
• 1 Peter 5:5 confirms the teaching that God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble, underscoring the need for humility.
• Ephesians 4:27 advises not to give the devil a foothold, which complements James’ counsel to resist the devil.

IV. Judgment and Slander (James 4:11-12)
James warns against judging others, reminding believers that there is only one Lawgiver and Judge. He questions who we are to judge our neighbors, urging us to refrain from slander and judgment.

Cross references:

• Matthew 7:1-2 cautions against judging others and stresses that the measure you use will be measured to you, aligning with James’ directive.
• Romans 14:4 asks, “Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?” which is similar to James questioning why we judge our neighbors.
• Romans 2:1 warns those who pass judgment on others are condemning themselves, paralleling the message in James about not being the judge.

V. Boasting About Tomorrow (James 4:13-17)
James criticizes those who boast about their future plans without acknowledging God’s will. He reminds them that life is fleeting and that they ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

Cross references:

• Proverbs 27:1 advises against boasting about tomorrow, as we do not know what a day may bring, in harmony with James’ teaching on humility about the future.
• Luke 12:16-21 tells the parable of the rich fool who planned for the future without considering God, illustrating the folly that James warns against.
• Matthew 6:34 encourages not to worry about tomorrow, reflecting James’ instruction to focus on God’s will instead of our own plans.

Conclusion: James 4 speaks directly to the heart, challenging believers to examine the source of their conflicts, resist the allure of the world, embrace humility to receive God’s grace, refrain from judging others, and acknowledge God’s sovereignty over the future. It calls for introspection and a reorientation of our desires, aligning them with God’s will rather than worldly passions. With its practical guidance and timeless wisdom, James 4 remains a powerful chapter, persuading us to live lives of humility, dependence on God, and love for our neighbor.