June 26, 2013
Do you want to know where fights and arguments come from? James tells us. They come from our selfish desires that war inside of us and spill out to those around us. It's that simple. Selfishness. And selfishness is breaking God's first commandment of—"No other gods" and His royal law of—"Love your neighbor as you love yourself."
I like how James describes it when he says "(it) wars within you." I don't think I've ever noticed that before. But it's true. Selfishness harms you first before it strikes out at others. You want things → you don't have them → it makes you mad → you are jealous → you are ready to do whatever it takes to get them → you argue → you fight → you try to be in control → if you can't have it then you try to make sure the other person doesn't have it either → it grows → it festers → it wars within you → it destroys your joy → it destroys your relationships with other people → you strategize and maneuver → you use whatever means necessary to get what you want → nothing you try works → you don't give up → you try all the harder → and the turmoil within you grows. You should know better. You know the truth and you know the truth will set you free, but you want what the other person has, whether it be their "things" or their peace and joy. You don't want your peace, you want their peace.
And it doesn't work.
When you love the world/self it actually means you are hating God and you become God's enemy. Did you hear that? God's enemy!!! Do you understand the seriousness of that? Is your desire for selfish control worth being an enemy of God? James 4:5 - "Do you think the Scripture mean nothing that says, 'The Spirit that God made to live in us wants us for himself alone?' " Of course there is going to be a war going on within you when you are trying to fight against the way God made you. James quotes Proverbs 3:34 - "God is against the proud, but he gives grace to the humble." There is only one way to have peace. James 4:7 - "So give yourselves completely to God. Stand against the devil, and the devil will run from you. Come near to God, and God will come near to you."
Our lives are but a mist. It is not about our agenda. It IS about God's will. We cannot claim ignorance. James 4:17 - "Anyone who knows the right thing to do, but does not do it, is sinning." It really is that black and white. Disobedience = sin. Delayed obedience = sin. It is faith + action. Our walk MUST match our talk.
I find great comfort in knowing that God is our Judge. Our faith and trust is in Him alone.
Next Entry: James 5:1–20
Do you want to know where fights and arguments come from? James tells us. They come from our selfish desires that war inside of us and spill out to those around us. It's that simple. Selfishness. And selfishness is breaking God's first commandment of—"No other gods" and His royal law of—"Love your neighbor as you love yourself."
I like how James describes it when he says "(it) wars within you." I don't think I've ever noticed that before. But it's true. Selfishness harms you first before it strikes out at others. You want things → you don't have them → it makes you mad → you are jealous → you are ready to do whatever it takes to get them → you argue → you fight → you try to be in control → if you can't have it then you try to make sure the other person doesn't have it either → it grows → it festers → it wars within you → it destroys your joy → it destroys your relationships with other people → you strategize and maneuver → you use whatever means necessary to get what you want → nothing you try works → you don't give up → you try all the harder → and the turmoil within you grows. You should know better. You know the truth and you know the truth will set you free, but you want what the other person has, whether it be their "things" or their peace and joy. You don't want your peace, you want their peace.
And it doesn't work.
When you love the world/self it actually means you are hating God and you become God's enemy. Did you hear that? God's enemy!!! Do you understand the seriousness of that? Is your desire for selfish control worth being an enemy of God? James 4:5 - "Do you think the Scripture mean nothing that says, 'The Spirit that God made to live in us wants us for himself alone?' " Of course there is going to be a war going on within you when you are trying to fight against the way God made you. James quotes Proverbs 3:34 - "God is against the proud, but he gives grace to the humble." There is only one way to have peace. James 4:7 - "So give yourselves completely to God. Stand against the devil, and the devil will run from you. Come near to God, and God will come near to you."
- Give yourself to God. You have to "give" yourself. God will not take you by force.
- Stand firm against the devil. With God on your side the devil cannot harm you.
- Come. The closer you go to God the more He comes to you.
Our lives are but a mist. It is not about our agenda. It IS about God's will. We cannot claim ignorance. James 4:17 - "Anyone who knows the right thing to do, but does not do it, is sinning." It really is that black and white. Disobedience = sin. Delayed obedience = sin. It is faith + action. Our walk MUST match our talk.
I find great comfort in knowing that God is our Judge. Our faith and trust is in Him alone.
"As you confess that God is in charge, you admit that your aren't. As you proclaim that God has power, you admit that you don't. And as you give God all the applause, there is none left to dizzy your brain." ~ From The Great House by Max Lucado.
Next Entry: James 5:1–20
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