James 4

Introduction

In Chapter 4, James addresses the root causes of conflict within the church. He surmised that these are attitudes copied from the world where people fight over power. Rather, in the church, all are to submit to God and to each other. The authority structure, be it in the church or in a family have been set by God in order to give proper structure and unity. It is always tempting to judge the people in authority, but James warned against this and against slandering one another. In the later part of the chapter, James warns against being arrogant about our financial plans but to also submit to God in everything.

Scripture: James 4:1-3

"What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?" (v1)

Observation:

Conflicts within the church are due to "passions" (root word "hedone" used for hedonism) which is to please self-centered ambition or goals, rather than obedience to the Word and to seek the well being of others. Many adults act like children, where if things dont happen their way, they will quarrel, fight and "murder" (could be referring to character assassination) to get whatever they want.

Rather, James continued to say that if their goals and motives were pure, sincere and for the good of others, then they should have taken their cares to God in prayer rather than take things into their own hands and create conflicts that won't get them anywhere except worsening the situation (v2, 3)

Application:

What is our natural tendency? Do we instinctively create or avoid conflict with others when our views are different or our desires are not met? Avoiding conflict does not mean the issue is not important to us, but that we hold to scriptural teaching that "letting go and letting God" is far more important and more effective than to force our ways which usually leads to unbeneficial and undesirable side effects. As the saying goes, "you can win the argument, but lose a friend." As Christians, we not only loses a friend but also our reputation and testimony.

Scripture: James 4:4-6

"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." (v4)

Observation:

Those causing dissension within the church are said to be "worldly" because they try to "Lord over each other" like in secular culture. Hedonism is essentially adultery against God - the love for pleasure rather than love for God. (2Tim 3:4). This happens to Christians too, bride of God but flirting with the world and doing what feels good to us, grieving and rousing the jealousy of God's spirit.

Application:

It is not easy to be in the world and not love the world. God is not against us enjoying His creation, being successful or living a comfortable life, but only when the pursuit of pleasure and power superseded the pursuit of His purpose for our lives. The balance is delicate and only by constant reminders from the Word and other faithful Christians can we ensure we do not get out of track.

Scripture: James 4:7-8

"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."

Observation:

The double minded person has this basic characteristic - on one hand there is a desire to serve God to satisfy a spiritual hunger, but at the same time there is a stubbornness to pursue own's agenda/purpose and to refuse obeying the Spirit because it is difficult or inconvenient. That's why James said the remedy to double mindedness is full submission, and to purify our hearts from the deception of the devil.

Application:

I believe everyone has some form of double mindedness, planted there by upbringing or societal influences or in the bad cases, the giving in to deception by the devil. It is a continual effort to check our thinking, attitude, and our walking direction. Sometimes we need admonition from other mature Christians as we can't see our own walk. Verse 9 elaborates that it is not easy to submit fully to God this except through by being sincerely contrite about our sins.

Scripture: James 4:9-12

"There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?" (v12)

Observation:

Here James addresses the issue of Christians slandering each other. Such Christians wear a bloated sense of self-righteousness and spiritual superiority over others, and they find it irresistible to judge and put down others in order to make themselves look good or gain their desired positions.

Application:

There are always something bad we can say about others, since nobody is perfect. But that means we are not perfect too, and that others can also likewise slander us. The vicious cycle had no end. If we are to ever admonish someone, it should be only be directed in private to him for the purpose of correction and encouragement to do right (1 Thes 5:12-15). If we have no intention nor the interest to personally intervene and restore someone to the right path lovingly, then judging them - even just in our heart - is a sin.

Scripture: James 4:13-17

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. (v15-17)

Observation:

James came around again to proud talking. Previously it was about people who thinks they know it all. Now it's about people who thinks they have it all. This is also an inconsistent attitude for a Christian, who submit to God only on Sundays but on weekdays act and make decisions as if God doesn't exist or doesn't matter. They live on a totally separate set of rules and principle in the secular world though they know their thinking and actions are wrong in God's eyes, and James call it sin.

Application:

This is probably very common in today's Christian life when we spend most of our time in secular work and activities. It doesn't mean secular activities are wrong, or even secular research and reasoning - otherwise, we would have to denounce all secular education and employment.

The most important key to not getting caught up in the trap is to delay major decisions and let God speak or provide an alternative doorway. So we should go all out to research, compare, check with experienced people, and plan, but never be too stubborn or quick to execute it until time (I recommend minimum a week for big decisions) is given for prayer and reconsideration, regardless of how "honorable" we thought our idea was. The worst are those who do not research and plan, but impulsively execute!

"Many are the plans in a person's mind, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand." (Proverbs 19:21)

Prayer for James 4:

Father, forgive us when we pursue pleasure more than we pursue your purpose. Help us be sensitive to your spirit on what is right to do, rather than what feels good to do, and to continue to be in fellowship with other faithful believers so we can encourage each other with good examples.

Lord, help me to fight against double mindedness that creates inconsistency in my different areas of walk. Give me Grace to live a life of discipline through commitment to your word and submission to your will, even those difficult to follow.

Forgive me for slandering others without taking the responsibilities to help change things for the better. Help me to resist the temptation to judge others as I myself am not perfect. Help me focus on the positive side of each one rather than the negative; to put hope in each persons potential rather than to condemn, and to build their reputation rather than to tear them down in front of others.

Lord, remind me to go on my knees first before I stand up to those opposing me, and give me the wisdom to speak objectively, rationally and peacefully with the aim to persuade all (including myself) to agree not with my way but with your way and with your will.

Help me also to control my natural impulses and tendencies, be it to make or to spend money, remembering that both my time and my money belongs to you and I am only a steward. In our secular activities help us not be too caught up with the trends and the "in thing" that others are doing but to understand and to do your immediate purpose and future plans for our lives. 

Amen.