As we begin tonight, we are reminded that James is merely continuing his train of thought from the previous chapter. In chapter three he warned us of the danger of an uncontrolled tongue and from ungodly wisdom (or way of thinking). Now he gets very personal and practical with his readers. Churches in his day were not that much different from churches today. There were wars, fightings, quarrels, factions, and every evil work. Keep in mind that the church is a reflection of the families, and the families are a reflection of individual spirituality. In the first ten verses of this chapter, James introduces us to three enemies that we must battle (by the way, our enemies are NOT other believers). He then gives us the peaceful solution to each battle.
- "Daddy, How do wars begin?"
- Well the first world war started when Germany invaded Belgium
- His wife interrupted and said, 'Why don't you just tell him the truth…it started over a murder!'
- 'Who's answering this question? You or me?
- With that the wife returned to the kitchen slamming drawers and cupboards rattling every jar and glass in the place.
- The father said, 'Now, where was I?'
- His son replied, 'Never mind, I think I understand now.'
(James 4:1) "From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?"
I. Sensual Warfare v1-3
A. This speaks of the battle that all of us must deal with. B. This is the fleshly or sensual battle.
1. The war continues to rage on even after we are saved. (1)
a. 'Lust' does not necessarily mean sexual passion, but it simply refers to carnal desires.
b. The body itself isn't sinful; it is the fallen nature that would control the body that is evil.
c. This is why Paul said we should yield our bodies to be instruments of righteousness.
(Rom 6:11-13) "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. {12} Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. {13} Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God."
2. Strife comes from these carnal desires.
3. Every argument, war, and fight throughout history has resulted from pride.
(Prov 13:10) "Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom."
4. Whenever we have war, then we do not have peace. (2-3)
a. We try to supply our needs and fulfill our desires by the strength of our flesh.
b. But, we should be looking to God for the fulfillment of our needs
c. When we finally do go to God, we do it with the wrong motive, and we still wind up in need.
5. "Ye have not, because ye ask not," means that we do not trust God enough to call upon Him. 6. But desire is never satisfied apart from God.
II. Spiritual Warfare v4-5
A. Often we are guilty of spiritual adultery.
1. Physical adultery is sinful, to be sure, but so is spiritual adultery.
2. We are called out of this world so we ought not to be friends with the world.
3. We are the bride of Christ, and when we give our devotion to the things of this world we become guilty of adultery.
B. There are three progressive steps toward the world noted in the Scriptures.
1. Friendship with the world. v4
(James 4:4) "…know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."
2. Love of the world. cf 1 Jn. 2:15a
(1 John 2:15a) "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.
3. Conformity to the world. cf Rom. 12:2a
(Rom 12:2a) "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…"
4. The biblical illustration of these steps are seen in the life of Lot.
a. He lifted up his eyes toward Sodom
b. He pitched his tent toward Sodom
c. He sat in the gate at Sodom
5. When Christians commit spiritual adultery and begin to love and live like the world, they lose their identity and their testimony; often it is hard to tell if they are even saved!
III. Satanic Warfare v6-7
A. Pride is the devil's tool.
1. When a believer begins to live for the world, they get proud and haughty.
2. Try to discuss spiritual matters with them (especially their own spiritual condition) and they swell up with pride and begin to point their fingers at everyone else.
3. Pride brought about Satan's fall, and it will do the same for anyone else who allows it to enter their lives.
(Prov 16:18) "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."
B. Humility is God's tool against the devil.
1. God will not give grace (here 'grace' means the favor and blessings of God) to the proud; we must first humble ourselves before God.
2. Victory comes by submission…the way up is down!
3. As we submit our will to God's will then we can resist or oppose the devil.
IV. Solution to Warfare v8-10 "Draw nigh unto God"
A. We must recognize our need for Him and draw 'nigh' or near Him.
B. We must recognize our sinful behavior. 'cleanse your hands'
C. We must recognize our sinful attitudes. 'purify your hearts'
D. We must recognize our need of repentance. (repentance is a change of mind that always results in a change of action).
E. We must recognize the pride that has filled our hearts and lives. 'God giveth grace to the humble.'
We are in a warfare that is sensual, spiritual, and satanic. Instead of praying we are grabbing; instead of getting to know God we are cozying up to the world; and instead of resisting the devil we are embracing his wisdom and attitude.
We are losing the war even as we sing about 'Victory in Jesus'. Real victory comes from drawing near to God, in faith and repentance; cleansing ourselves from the old habits that weigh us down. We must humble ourselves before Him and He has promised to bless us and lift us up. Let's put an end to the wars that are tearing us apart.
(James 4:1) "From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?"
(Gal 5:15-16) "But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. {16} This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh."