Book of James
Chapter 4
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (4:7)
A Warning against Pride
James 4 is a powerful reminder of the importance of humility and submission to God in overcoming internal conflict and worldliness. It calls believers to recognize their own imperfections, to refrain from judging others, and to approach life with a healthy understanding of its uncertainty. Through James’ teachings, we are encouraged to seek a closer relationship with God, acknowledging His authority and expressing humility in all aspects of our lives.
Conflicts and Disputes (Verses 1-3)
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.
James begins by diagnosing the cause of disputes among Christians – uncontrolled desires that battle within. These desires lead to fighting and quarreling, as they are focused on fulfilling selfish wants rather than godly needs. He further criticizes their wrong motives when they pray, pointing out that their prayers aren’t answered because they ask with selfish intentions.
Worldliness and Enmity with God (Verses 4-6)
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.
James warns against friendship with the world, stating that it makes one an enemy of God. He quotes a proverb about God’s Spirit yearning jealously over us, and reminds that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Submission to God (Verses 7-10)
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
In these verses, James provides a remedy to the issues previously outlined. He urges believers to submit to God, resist the devil, draw near to God, and purify their hearts. He also calls for mourning and weeping over sins, leading to a humility that results in exaltation by God.
The Sin of Judging Others (Verses 11-12)
11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
James advises against speaking evil against or judging one’s brothers and sisters, emphasizing that judgement should be left to God – the Lawgiver and Judge.
The Presumption about Life’s Uncertainty (Verses 13-17)
13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
James concludes the chapter by cautioning against arrogant presumptions about the future. Instead, he advises recognizing that life is uncertain and that all plans should be made acknowledging God’s will.
James 4 provides valuable insight into the pitfalls of worldliness and self-centered desires that often lead to conflicts. This chapter expounds on the dangers of aligning with the world, the importance of humbling oneself before God, the sin of judging others, and the presumption about the uncertainty of life. It calls Christians towards a lifestyle of humble obedience and reverence towards God, while rejecting worldly ways. (https://biblehub.com/chaptersummaries/james/4.htm)
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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