James 4

James 4 is set in the context of James' broader discussion of our speech and, more broadly, our demeanor:

James 3

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings.

14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfishness in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is disorder and every evil practice.

17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical. 18 And the fruit that consists of righteousness is planted in peace among those who make peace.

Focus one more time on those last phrases:

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical. And the fruit that consists of righteousness is planted in peace among those who make peace.

Wow... that sounds amazing doesn't it? If everyone around us met that description, wouldn't it seem blissful?

So... why does this seem so unrealistic and unachievable?

James offers several partial explanations:

We're conflicted in our desires. v.1

• Even though some of our desires are godly, they're often in competition with others. For example, maybe my desire to be a faithful ambassador to others in my neighborhood is in conflict with my desire to retreat to the comfort of my home and the distraction of my TV or my computer.
• The frustration we feel over such conflicts spills over onto others and cause some of the conflicts and arguments we all experience.

We want what we don't need or aren't entitled to. v.2

• Our society tells us that we should have it all! And if we can't afford to have it all, it's unfair, isn't it?

We want without asking God to provide. v.2

• This one struck me a little oddly. The broader context seems to suggest inappropriate desires -- wanting things belonging to others, or for the wrong reasons, etc. So, is James suggesting we should ask God for those things?
• But it occurred to me that if we felt free to ask God for our every desire the very fact that we're preparing to ask God for something we desire inappropriately forces us to confront it and recognize it. It's an opportunity for repentance.

We want things we shouldn't. v.3

But... those things are not the real problem -- only symptoms of the real problem.

The real problem:

• Our attraction to the things of the world puts us at odds with God v.4

There it is...

The truth we need to face about ourselves...

When we want other things -- ANY other things -- more than God it puts us in opposition to Him and changes us in ways that make it impossible for us to live as we should.

The solution?

Submit to God / Resist the temptations of the devil.v.7

• Admit that He knows best.
• Want for me what HE wants for me.
• Be content with Him and with what He gives me.

Draw near to Him with the cleansing of my hands and heart that is available through confession and repentance. v. 8-10

• Recognize and admit what I'm loving more than God.
• Admit to it before Him (and, for accountability, to others) and turn from it.
• Grieve over the ways I've fallen short -- it is REAL SIN, not just something to pass over lightly.
• Expect comfort and acceptance from Him.

My prayer today:

Father, we recognize that we've flirted with the attractions the world offers. Sometimes we've given in to enticement to love those things more than you. But this is not who we want to be! You loved us so we could love you. You chose us so we could choose you -- and we do.

Help us to draw near to You. You're the one we can trust to help us recognize the good and to distinguish it from the superficial and fake counterfeits the world offers.

Give us not the objects of our desires, but our desires themselves. Help us not to have the things we want, but first to want the things we should want.

Help us to be so yielded to You that that pure, peaceable, gentle, accommodating, merciful, fruitful, impartial character flows naturally from us from being filled with you.

And as we become people with that type of character, we pray that it won't be seen as something to our credit, but to yours. Help us represent you well before the world. Amen.

  SCOTT PURCELL | Elder

Scott committed his life to Christ as a child under the teaching of his parents and church. He graduated from Ozark Christian College in 1989 with bachelors degree in Biblical Literature and served 8 years as Minister of two churches in Missouri and then 3 years as a Church Planter in San Marcos. Since then, he has worked as a technical trainer at Dell and Rackspace. In 2008 Scott and Nan joined HCBC-NW and then Hutto Bible in 2011. Scott serves in Small Group leadership, as secretary to the Elder board, and as the elder over IT and Discipleship. Scott and Nan have been married since 1985 and have three children (Mindy Schultea (married), Kate, and Matthew) and two grandchildren. 

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