Frameworks:
James 4
[Chapter
4 Synopsis: Outward conflicts come from the same inner
selfish attitudes the world holds. These are rejected when we
receive the grace of God that brings about a new humility within
us that puts us in a peaceable frame of mind in respect of others,
and is contented with each day, trusting God with our tomorrows]
v.1-12
Remedying Bad Attitudes, Desires & Motives
v.13-17
Boasting About Tomorrow
v.1-12
Remedying Bad Attitudes, Desires & Motives
[Passage
Synopsis: Conflict always comes from wrong inner desires; that's
what the world does. God's grace is revealed in humility which
will reject that sort of outlook and create peace in you in respect
of others]
v.1
(upsets always
emanate from inner desires) What
causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your
desires that battle within you?
v.2
(you want more
than you have or are and don't get that because you don't ask
God) You
desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot
get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because
you do not ask God.
v.3
(if you do ask
it's often with wrong motives so don't get what you want)
When
you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives,
that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
v.4
(if you side
with the world and take on its attitudes you'll be against God)
You
adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world
means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be
a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
v.5
(doesn't the
Bible teach He yearns for closeness with you) Or
do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs
for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us?
v.6
(He longs to
give us more grace but it's only the humble who will receive it)
But
he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes
the proud but shows favor to the humble.” [Prov.
3:34]
v.7
(so give yourself
to God, resisting the enemy) Submit
yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from
you.
v.8
(seek God and
you'll find Him, be pure and single minded) Come
near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you
sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
v.9
(repent in anguish
if you have these wrong attitudes) Grieve,
mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy
to gloom.
v.10
(be humble before
God and He will elevate you ) Humble
yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
v.11
(speak rightly
about one another, don't judge one another) Brothers
and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against
a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and
judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but
sitting in judgment on it.
v.12
(God is the
only judge, so don't try to take His place) There
is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and
destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?
v.13-17
Boasting About Tomorrow
[Passage
Synopsis: This humility is translated into the way we view the
‘tomorrows' of our lives, simply trusting our days to Him]
v.13
(Beware the
attitude that thinks it can control tomorrow) Now
listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or
that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”
v.14
(Be honest,
you haven't a clue what tomorrow might hold) Why,
you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life?
You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
v.15
(rest instead
in God's will overseeing your life) Instead,
you ought to say, “If it is the Lord's will, we will live and
do this or that.”
v.16
(all such boasting
is in vain) As
it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is
evil.
v.17
(if you know
what you should do but don't, that is sin) If
anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it,
it is sin for them.
(CONTINUE
to CHAPTER 5)