James Answers - Chapter 4

 

JAMES 4     What does James say the source of quarrels and conflicts are among us? vs. 1 Our pleasures that wage war in our members. Your passions are at war within you.  [ESV] Your desires that battle within you [TNIV] They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. [MSG] How did Paul put this in his letter to the Galatians? (Galatians 5:16,17) But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.  For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. Fighting and quarreling are usually based on being envious and not having something we desire. When lusts are unchecked, it can even lead to such sins as murder. ... What is the reason why we do not have the things we need? vs. 2 Because you do not ask. What is the reason we may not receive even when we do ask according to verse 3? Because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. How do we commit spiritual adultery in God's eyes? vs.4  Friendship with the world is hostility toward God.  Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. What is God jealous for concerning us? vs.5  He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us. The Lord gives a greater grace so that we can fellowship with Him again. He is opposed to the proud. Who does He give grace to? vs. 6 He gives grace to the humble. According to verse 7a, how do we humble ourselves? Submit to God. The devil has influenced us to be friends with the world and lust after things that have grieved the heart of God. How do we get rid of his influence over us? vs. 7 - Name 2 things Resist the devil  he will flee from you Once the devil is taken care of, what are we to do? vs.8,9 - Name 9 things. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.   Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. After you have turned to God in this true repentant way, what does God promise to do for you? vs. 10 He will exalt you. When we speak against another Christian or judge another Christian, what are we actually speaking against and judging? vs.11 The law. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge. What is He able to do? vs.12 He is able to save and to destroy. Therefore, what are we not to do? vs. 12 We are not to judge our neighbour. When we make plans, what should we always be careful to say in regard to them and why? vs.13-15 “If the Lord wills.” What does God call our arrogance and boasting? vs.16 Evil. How does James define sin in verse 17? One who knows the right thing to do and does not do it. This chapter concerns the battle between our flesh and our spiritual nature. The devil is right behind our flesh tempting us to be friends with the world and to make plans without God's involvement. These things are spiritual adultery to God, Who longs to be a part of our decisions and actions. When we are not looking to Him, but looking to other sources, we grieve the Spirit that He has placed within us (Also see Ephesians 4:30) ... He has shown us in this chapter how to apply His grace and draw near to Him again. Think about the things that He would want you to repent of and speak that in your prayers to Him. Write out a summary and post any notes that you might want to share with the group today. GET THE FACTS: OBSERVATION: What does the text say? * Quarrels and conflicts come from our desires. * We want our own way and fight for it. * We do not have because we haven't asked. * We ask with wrong motives. * Friendship with the world is hostility toward God. * God gives grace to the humble. * Submit to God.  Resist the devil. * Draw near to God.  He draws near to you. * Humble yourself and God will exalt you. * Do not speak against one another. * God-willing, we will do this or that. * Know the right thing to do and not do it is a sin. POINTS TO PONDER: INTERPRETATION: What does the text mean? James was not forbidding us to use discrimination or even to evaluate people. Christians need to have discernment (Phil. 1:9–10), but they must not act like God in passing judgment. We must first examine our own lives, and then try to help others (Matt. 7:1–5). We never know all the facts in a case, and we certainly never know the motives that are at work in men’s hearts. To speak evil of a brother and to judge a brother on the basis of partial evidence and (probably) unkind motives is to sin against him and against God. We are not called to be judges; God is the only Judge. He is patient and understanding; His judgments are just and holy; we can leave the matter with Him. Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1989). The Bible exposition commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire 'BE' series"--Jkt. (Jas 4). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books. PERSONAL INSIGHTS: APPLICATION: How can I apply this to my life? Selfish desires are dangerous things. They lead to wrong actions (“ye kill, ye fight and war,” James 4:2), and they even lead to wrong praying (“When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures,” James 4:3, niv). It has well been said that the purpose of prayer is not to get man’s will done in heaven, but to get God’s will done on earth.  God reveals His will in His Word, and yet most people ignore the Bible. In the Bible, God gives precepts, principles, and promises that can guide us in every area of life. Knowing and obeying the Word of God is the surest way to success (Josh. 1:8; Ps. 1:3). Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1989). The Bible exposition commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire 'BE' series"--Jkt. (Jas 4). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.