The book of James and specifically chapter 4 has some harsh words about who we really are and how it impacts our relationship with God. The wonderful part with his harsh plain-spokenness is that it is clear to the one who wants to draw near to God what the path forward looks like. James clearly states what God is looking for. This is a walkthrough of James 4:1-8. Take time to read and meditate on what James the brother of Jesus has to say. God is available and He is near for those who are ready to humble themselves.

James 4:1-2 War within

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. James 4:1-2 ESV

James opens with the point that our passions are at war with the new person we should be in Christ. We fight amongst ourselves, we hate our brothers and, we want what others have and plot to take it from them. But then James points directly at such evil children and reminds us that we do not have because we did not ask.

So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. Romans 9:16 ESV

Where is God? Is God even part of how we live life? Do we turn to him and ask him to provide for our needs? Have I taken the desires of my heart to Jesus? Do we turn to him and ask him to put Godly passions in the foundation of our soul? No we don’t, we life live like the atheists striving and working in our own will as if God our creator did not even exist. More from James Chapter 4.

James 4:3-4 Your Selfish Passions

You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. James 4:3-4 ESV

There are those of you who will say “I prayed and asked for a job and God has not answered” or I asked for a perfect girlfriend or car, or whatever and God did not provide. Where is the answered prayer that God promised? Only you know in your heart what God has to say to you. Below are a few possibilities.

Wrong Motives

First it is out of wrong motives that you ask. You pray for a 100 score on a test for school and you do not receive it. You asked but did not receive. Was passing not enough? Why did you pray for the 100? What was your motive? Did you want the 100 because you wanted to boast to your friends at how smart you are? Did you want the 100 because you needed it to pass because you neglected the responsibilities of study? What obligation does God have to answer such a prayer? Is he simply someone that grants wishes for your own selfishness?

Selfish

Second you ask God for things that will allow you to continue your selfish life filling the passions of this world and not focusing on the eternal things that are important to God.

Is God Enough?

Third, what if God’s answer for now is “No” to that job? Has he not provided for your daily needs? God is faithful and he will be faithful even in the lean times. Is there not joy to be found in trusting him daily? What if he has a season of life where you must truly trust him for your daily bread? I have been there for a season and God can restore what is taken away and to him I give the credit and appreciate what I have now even more.

And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Luke 12:29-31 ESV

James calls it adulterous that we seek to fill our own passions. God knows what you need and he has promised to provide that. Has he not been faithful? Jesus wants for us to seek after him, his kingdom. He wants you to put your trust in Him. However God never promised to make us rich in material things. What good are those material things anyway? Will they aid in your future eternal destiny? Doubtful. Here is James Chapter 4 again.

James 4:4 God or this Dead World

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. James 4:4 ESV

James is as straight forward as he can be here. Take the things of this world for example; if you love the world more than God or you choose the pleasures of this world over Christ then you choose to be an enemy with God. It is that simple and here is the final part of James Chapter 4.

James 4:5-8 Submit and Draw Near

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. James 4:5-8 ESV

Do you love Christ? Do you love God and what he has done to create you, save you, and provide for you in eternity? God will not accept our our cheating on him with the world. James makes it perfectly clear that if your ambitions and your plans are consumed with the things of this world you are his enemy. God’s ambitions and plans do not involve this world.

This world is temporary just like our mortal bodies. Don’t worry James has good news for us double-minded sinners. His encouragement is to submit to God, and humble ourselves to God. Through Jesus he gives more grace. Finally if you do not already know the joy of salvation in Jesus then today is the day to give up the selfish ambition and seek what life Christ has for you. All that is needed to get started is to speak to Jesus with honest words admitting that you need him. Eternity is at stake.

If you enjoyed this read please click the like button or leave a comment. I try to respond to all questions! Continue your study with the problem of Self Help.

*Edited and Revised. Originally Published October 2014