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.
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. (https://biblehub.com/chaptersummaries/james/4.htm)
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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