The Cause of Conflicts

James here tells us that the reason conflict exists is because of desires unsatisfied. When desires within our hearts are unmet and unfulfilled we resort to horrific ways of satisfying those desires. So in simple words: We all have this “want” that needs to be satisfied. And so the way we go about trying to satisfy that will determine our character and actions.

James 4:1-2

Ask and You Shall Receive

Here God tells us that even those of us who acknowledge these desires and don’t resort to conflict to satisfy them will go to God and ask him to satisfy and fulfill those desire. But he says that even these request are denied. Even tho we’ve set our minds on the proper path of reaching out to God for the fulfillment of these desires, he will still deny our requests because our intentions aren’t in the right path.

James 4:2-3

So when Jesus said the following there’s a little clarity to be made for us:

Matthew 7:7-8

The fact of the matter isn’t that “Anything you ask will be given to you” but it’s “Ask with the right intentions and you will receive it”

Recipes for Asking God in Prayer

Of-course, figuring out who to ask and in what intentions to ask is just one piece of the puzzle. God also has other requirements in the way we should ask him so that our requests can be granted. And they’re as follows:

1. Ask God → James 4:2

1. Ask God with the right intentions → James 4:3

1. Ask according to His will → 1 John 5:14

1. Ask in Jesus’ name → John 14:13-14

1. Ask precisely and concisely → Matthew 6:7-8

1. Ask in Thanksgiving → Philippians 4:6

1. Ask believing He will grant your prayers → Matthew 21:22

1. Keep praying and never give up → Luke 18:7-8

1. Delight in God → Psalms 37:4

So when dealing with our desires we should ask God to fulfill those desires instead of resorting to conflict, though not asking God will inevitably lead to conflict. But also when we ask God to fulfill our desires we should continuously ask him in the right intentions, according to his will, precisely and concisely, in Jesus’ name believing that he will meet our desires and grant our requests while all the more thanking and delighting in Him.

Either God or The World

Here God clearly tells us that there’s no mutual friend between the world and God. God’s giving us an ultimatum here: befriend the world and lose Him or befriend Him and lose the world.

James 4:4

But it doesn’t stop there. God says that if we so choose the world over Him. He will be jealous.

James 4:5

God’s jealousy isn’t an evil kind, His jealousy is for the well being of His children and the well being of their spirits.

James here was referring to the following OT verses:

Exodus 34:14

Exodus 20:5

Deuteronomy 4:24

Remove Pride, Be Humble

James 4:6

Here James was quoting the proverb verses → Proverbs 3:34

Humility is also echoed again a couple verses down → James 4:10

Respond to the Call of God

Here James gives an overview of how we should respond and live our lives. He maps things out based on relationships with ourselves, with God and with the devil.

James 4:7-9

Simply put:

1. Submit to God → Yield to God’s sovereignty over your life and align your will with God’s
2. Resist the Devil and he will free → Stand firm against the devil and he will leave you
3. Draw near to God and He will come near → God reciprocates Love and connection
4. Cleans your hands → Live Righteously and be upright in your works
5. Make up your minds → Stop wavering your devotion between the world and God
6. Deeply repent and be humble → recognize your sins, mourn over them, and express genuine remorse and then transform by your change of heart

Judging Others

The Law states that we should love our neighbors as we love ourselves, and so if we then speak ill and judge our neighbors we are going against the law. He highlights the arrogance and presumption in human judgment when compared to the supreme authority and wisdom of God.

James 4:11-12

It’s the lawgiver that judges.

Pride in Planning

Here James shows us the uncertainties of life and encourages us to take a more humble path into living. Which is to drop being prideful in this unpredictable life and to acknowledge the sovereignty and the will of God in our lives.

James 4:13-16

The Responsibility of Knowledge

As a christian, It's not just about committing wrongful actions but also about neglecting to act when an opportunity for good arises.

James 4:17

With great knowledge comes great responsibilities