James 4:1 What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?
There is an Internal problem way before there is an External one.
verse 2. You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them..
Problem:
1. Self-Centeredness.
Don’t deal with only the surface issue when God wants to deal with the deeper issue of the heart!
Second part of verse 2 and verse 3. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. 3 And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.
Problem:
1. Self-Centeredness
2. Self-Sufficient attitude.
Verse 4 and 5 You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. 5 Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him.
Problem:
1. Self-Centeredness
2. Self-Sufficient attitude. 3. Self Consumption.
You Could be consuming what God is calling you to contribute!
Matthew 5:28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Galatians 5:24 (NLT) Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.
Passion in the wrong direction causes problems while passion in the right direction causes progress!
1
Sin and the world separates us from God while prayer and fasting brings us closer to God
James 4:6 And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say,“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace
James 4:8 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.
James 4:8 “...Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time”
Psalms 119:9-11 How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. 10 I have tried hard to find you— don’t let me wander from your commands. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
James 4:17 (NLT) Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
Proverbs 11:2 “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
We must Line up under the authority umbrella of God if we want His promises.
You don't realize the things that have a hold on your life until you give them up!
2