James Chapter 4 Discussion Page 2

Thank you Chris. I do sincerely appreciate you taking the time to answer my question about James 4; it is very much appreciated. I'm learning. Do take care.

Michael

Michael on James 4. Let me offer an opinion. I think that what James 4:4 is getting at, is that our desires should not be set on questionable pursuits that set Christ aside. For example, it is perfectly fine to engage in all legitimate activities in society. God orders society and sets up guidance for governments. Some people have an ambition to become great at something they do. Sports is a good example. Politics is another. And business is also a necessary endeavor in our lives. We live in a secular society. Not everyone feels the same about the God of the Bible and the standards Christians live by. But it is those standards that I think this verse makes reference to.

As Christians, we are to put Christ and everything He stands for first in our heart. We must not abandon His precepts. When we shove Christ and the Biblical principles we ought to live by aside, we are essentially abandoning Him for things we think are more valuable or desirable. But there is a fine line here that we have to understand. Commitment to certain "secular" endeavors, does not mean you have abandoned Christ. I might be fully committed to my job, but I haven't replaced Christ with it. My desire is not that object, in place of Christ.

We should also be mindful that we are all sinners and will continue to sin until Christ comes. But we all have different interests and talents. Not everyone is going to have the ambition to preach. Not everyone can. So, my thinking is, we can't divorce ourselves from the reality around us. But whatever it is we are involved in, do it without hypocrycy.

But to really understand James, we have to study the history and events of the time. We can't just take James 4 at face value. We have to ask, What was going on that prompted James' statement? An Adulterer is one that sneaks around with other people, while trying to maintain a semblance of faithfulness, propriety and legitimacy with others. Is a good modern equivalent called being a Two-faced hypocrite?

Michael, my understanding of Js 4:4, is James' harsh word to predominantly Jewish Christians about their carnality. You can see some of their sins in other parts of his letter, particularly for their lack of works which should be a hallmark of their faith. So, in chapter 4, James addresses their lust for worldly goods: their behaviour resembles those who don't belong to God (like what we see today - a good message to add to your newsletter). To have 'stuff' is not bad, but to lust after it to the point where they behave like God isn't the reason for their existence, is what is concerning James which forces him to call them "adulterers & adulteresses": for their spiritual fornication in this regard.

Your Newsletter is there to inform & warn people & so this verse that you question does not apply to you as you are not engaging in or encouraging people to acquire the offerings of this world at all cost. The fact that you want to alert folk to this fact is admirable as very few do it, or even dare to do it. Press on brother.

Rob you are dancing on the edge of HERESY. Obviously you have not trekked the beginning to the end of the Bible, a whole lap.

You need a good concordance and a reference Bible with columns down the center of the pages. Then you will be equipped to study GOD's WORD.

God has a comprehensive end time plan for Gentiles (non-Jews), Jews, and Messianic Jews (believe Jesus is the Messiah they missed). Also the Two Witnesses, 144,000 Jewish evangelists, evangelizing angels.

We want to assist if we can. That's why we're here: to learn and to be helpful with the Light we possess. Be a blessing to others :D

I don't want to have to go head to head on "Jews vs Gentiles' every day. I figure that God, the Creator has it all worked out, already. He wrote it and He will perform it.

There's Jehovah Witnesses, Christian Scientists, 7th Day Adventist's, pre-Trib, Mid-Trib, Post-Trib..... you get my drift?

I get weary with arguing. If it's confusing, You came to the right place. We love to study.

Michael as long as you uplift Christ in the message and show in the Bible what the world is doing is wrong, my opinion you are doing the Lord's work. But I am a nobody to the world.

Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather (EXPOSE) reprove them.

"First" We as ( Gentiles have to remember, The Jews are God's chosen people. The Gentiles have no part in God's covenant (Law) no matter what some try to say. Jesus had no earthly ministry with the gentiles. Read Matthew 10:5- what Jesus commanded his twelve disciples, not to go to the Gentiles Nation. However, after the Cross, shedding Jesus Christ blood for the whole world, NOT FOR JUST SOME: Jame's was a Jew, he was writing to his people. Remember all that is in the bible is not for us. It is there for our learning; Paul is our teacher for the Gentiles. Throw out Pau's scriptures there is nothing for the Gentiles Nation. For the Jews promises are earthly, Gentiles are spiritual. ALL believers in God's word are in the body of Christ, Jews, and Gentiles. God will finish up his covenant with the rest of his people, (Jews) in the millennium: But we all have to believe God's word to be saved, that is the only way and ask forgiveness, for our sins. Remember just because we are saved does not mean We are perfect here on earth.

I am trying very hard to understand James 4:4 but am having difficulty doing so.

I publish a newsletter that goes out to several thousand people. In that letter, I often warn people of problems that are going on around the world that could effect them and their families. I am concerned that I am going against James 4:4 by involving myself and my readers with 'worldly' things. On the other hand, the Bible speaks clearly to the responsibilities of the 'Watchmen'. Can anyone help me with a better understanding. The LAST thing I want to do is to go against my Lord Jesus. Help please.

In this case you need to read all of chapter 5 to perceive the context of what it is saying. Do what it says in verse 7-8.

You're being drawn away from God, by spirits (little s always means, demons)

This demons name is 'envy'.

The Holy Spirit is always capitalized: such as the Spirit, Spirit of Jesus.

The chapter is saying that when we let our guard down, even just a little, being friendly with worldly things, attitudes, people; we are at enmity with God. We are becoming His enemy.

Satan and his demons are invisible spirits, but we can see their FRUIT in situations or people also under their influence. Demons study us intently to tempt in areas of us, that are weak. Temptations come in by way of the eye gate, the ear gate, and mouth.

If you ask The Holy Spirit to teach you, He will. That's one of the things He's in charge of.

Now I want to ask you if you have received Jesus as your Savior and Lord? It helps us to begin a relationship that will eventually be so important to you; you will never consider losing it: if we are happy telling others how we became born again. It's called a personal Testimony.

Get a King James Bible that has the center column on each page. The alphabet letters or numbers give much additional information about a chapter you are reading. I will be happy to see you here often.

David, this is a good question that you have brought to our notice, as it can be misunderstood easily. The word that brings us confusion is the word "lusteth", as this is often thought of in a negative, sinful manner. But in English, we know that there are words that have more than one meaning/application, & this word is one of them. For example, the word 'wench', is usually understood as a morally loose woman. But the other meaning is simply, that of a 'young girl'. Also, 'intercourse', can be both verbal & sexual in nature. So when reading, 'lusteth', the context in use is of 'greatly desiring or being jealous over' & not in terms of a sinful craving.

So, Js 4:5 does speak of the Holy Spirit, but in context with the Scripture around it, it would read like this: "the Holy Spirit Who indwells us, longs for us (or is jealous over us) to pursue a lifestyle that doesn't compromise the relationship (& intimate friendship) that we have with God". This verse refers directly to v 4, where some Christians were being unfaithful to God by seeking out the world's sinful delights as well as claiming to love God. And this union can never God-honouring & a trait of the true believer ( 1 Jn 2:15). But even in our weakness in this area, we are reminded that "God giveth us more grace to overcome; to the humble but not to the haughty" (v 6).

Yet, in v 5, we are not privy to "the Scripture" which James alludes to in this connection. He may have learned this from some other writing or letter not given to us in the canon of Scripture.

Is James 4:5 "The spirit" refer to The Holy Spirit or man's spirit?

and how "lusteth to envy" is to be interpreted?

They are watering down the Kings James Bible. I will not attend a Church that does not read and preach out of it.

We need to know who is god you need to saved in feel with the holy ghost.

That we need to pray more everyday in we need to praise him more in we need to thank him everyday we must be born again .

Marti,

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord. The word humble in James 4:10 is a command, but it's in the Passive Voice. It is literally be humbled in the sight of the Lord. That's what it would literally read.

Every time there is a command for to be humbled in the scriptures, it's always in the Passive Voice which means submit to God's humbling process. He humbles us.

You see, if I humble myself and bring myself before God, that's pride. It would be like "Here I am Lord, your humble servant. I have come humbly before you!" And the Lord is probably going "Let's try that again because I can't accept that."

So when God brings us low, we are supposed to submit to it. And then the promise is that He shall lift you up.

If you start at James 4:7, and keep in mind that these are Jewish believers who are in difficult and hard situations. They are afflicted. They are mourning. They are weeping. And they are attempting to change their circumstances into laughter and joy in order to encourage themselves.

The command is let yourself be afflicted, let yourself mourn, let yourself weep, let your joy turn into heaviness, and your laughter into mourning.

In other words, take the low road. We all want to feel good. We all want to feel encouraged. We all want to think positive. But James is saying take the low road.

If you're in affliction, and choose affliction and mourning, weeping and heaviness, and mourning so that you can experience the grace of God rather than attempting to in your own human resources make yourself a happier person and make yourself feel better about yourself, that's the road to be on.

He's not saying that you should not feel good about yourself. He's just saying choose the difficult road. Don't keep trying to get out of it. God is humbling you for a reason. He's bringing you low so that you come to Him.

The king James says "in the sight of the Lord" Other versions say "before the Lord"

What is the significance of humble ourselves in the sight of the lord. Is it position or place?

Yes that is true but also God said if we hide iniquity in our hearts He will not hear us! That means what it says.

Isaiah 59:2 - God does not hear ONLY the prayers of the wicked. Luke 5:32 and Rev 3:19 - The repentive heart of the sinner, the one whom falls short, the LORD will hear. Phillipians 4:6 - Be careful for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be known unto God.

Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do ye think that the Scripture says in vain, The spirit that dwells in us lusts to envy? God resists the proud but gave grace to the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and he shall lift you up. Speak not evil one of another brethren.

verse 4 pointed out that friendship with the world is making himself an enemy of god..why?because the whole world is under the control of satan and his allies using religions,politics and commerce to impose traditions, customs and occassions.It is now clear that the enemy of god participates or involves in traditions customs and occassions. 1john 2:15-17, john 17:14-16, john 15:19

I think if alot of us would re-dedicate ourselves to the pure words of the Lord, we will see revival. This chapter is an exortation!

LORD I OFFER MY LIFE TO YOU: Our purpose on earth is not to get lost in the journey through life-- But to be a Beacon of Light so that others may find their way. .. The Lord never fails to give us new Blessings every time we wake up. Waking up alive and well is already a miracle. A BLESSING WE OWE TO HIM: PRAISE HIM ALWAYS!!!

We must do the good things we have known from the word of God,because any believe who fails to implement the good things as opportunity present itself will receive the same reward as a sinner.

You have to resist the devil and in Jesus name, he will flee from you I tell you he will flee!!! LOVE GOD PEOPLE LOVE GOD IN YOUR FAITH AND YOUR WORKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE GOD

I so agree with you. Praise God and His Word for knowing how to live life here and after in eternity with Him! I cannot wait! God Bless!!

This is such a powerful passage in scripture! We need to be asking the Lord the right things for the right reasons. God will not hear our prayers if we don't. God help me to humble myself daily, and to realize that without you i an do nothing. Generation z needs this truth! They need God! America is sinking fast we need revival, and this is where it starts! By getting our hearts pure for His Glory

THE BIBLE TELLS US SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD THE ALL THESE THINGS WILL BE ADDED UNTO YOU. BESIDES THAT THE DEVIL DO NOT HAVE ANY POWER OVER US,ITS WHAT WE ALLOW HIM TO DO. BUT OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST GAVE US VICTORY IN ALL WE DO. BUT YOU GOT TO PUT HIM FIRST IN YOUR LIFE.

Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He shall lift you up. Thank you Jesus help me God to humble myself and vow down before you for you are worthy to be praise cleanse me Jesus from my unrighteousness i love you Lord Jesus amen

Submitting to God is a daily process. In this great controversy between good and evil a total surrender to the power of God, through a life of devotion and sacrifice, is our only remedy to overcome evil. The more we focus on Jesus and His Righteousness then the things of the world will go strangely dim. I pray that we will all love Jesus more, so that our appetite for sinning will become extinct.

We are to judge not the heart but the actions and by the fruits of others. Politics and Christianity the two MOST valuable things we can speak about are almost being hushed in this society today. God said to also put the Armour of God on daily, are we doing that Christian? How else can we expect to go out there and fight the fiery darts of the wicked? They come from all directions.

The book of James is a good book to read, but we must go back to the beginning, where it all began and where we became as one, it was God that destroyed the earth and all that was on it, and then began again with Noah and his family. We are all the same the only difference is male and female, and good and evil, remember Good is God, so we should try to be good to one another.