June 15 – James 4:1-12
Main Focus: Cause of Quarrels
Why do we fight and argue with one another? Why do we have interpersonal conflict? Why does this happen in the church? James reveals the reason why people in the church make war against each other: self-centered desires. People desire and covet, which leads to infighting in the church. “You do not have, because you do not ask” is a reminder that believers should ask God for what they seek rather than fighting each other by demanding it. The end result is prayerlessness which ultimately results in failure to receive many of God’s blessings. Not all prayers are pleasing to God. Rather than seeking to honor God and advance his kingdom purposes, such prayers seek only to gratify self-centered passions or desires. James is not saying all desire is wrong, only desire that does not have the glory of God as the goal.
James likens self-centered motives in prayer to friendship with the world and in verse 4 uses strong language as a way of rebuke, “You adulterous people!” Adulterous people recalls OT prophets who used this language to describe Israel’s unfaithfulness to God. Such people have chosen friendship with the world by imitating worldly ways of thinking and worldly activities, making them enemies of God. It will always be impossible to satisfy the expectations of unbelievers, whose hearts are set on this world, and at the same time please God.
The key to understanding and applying this section of Scripture is found in verse 6. God’s grace will be extended to those who are humble before him. God resists the proud. To resist means God will send judgment to those acting as God’s enemies. It is the humble whom God will exalt. But as long as people exalt themselves, God will not exalt them. Vv.11-12 restates the basic problem behind the issues discussed in chapter 3: the misuse of the tongue to speak evil or to slander others. Speaking ill of others is the result of all the arrogant boasting, jealousy, self-centered desires, and pride that James is warning against. Such slanderous conduct is decried in both Old and New Testaments. God does not honor those who speak in a careless way.
Discussion questions
– Could someone read James 4:1-12 for us?
– What stands out to you in the passage?
– What different forms of fights and quarrels have you noticed in relationships within the church?
– Why do fights and quarrels so deeply grieve God?
– What does this passage teach us about prayer?
– What does it mean to “submit yourselves to God”? Why is this James’s first exhortation to this group of stumbling believers?
– We often feel as if God wants nothing to do with us when we have fallen into behaviors we know are displeasing to him. How does the promise in verse 8 counter that reaction? What does it tell us about God’s attitude toward us even when we fall into sin?
– Look at James 4:11-12. What does it mean to “slander” someone?
– James’s concern seems to be that our speech should be an expression of love for others rather than a product of a desire to harm them. How do you think our group is doing in terms of “speaking the truth in love”to one another? Can you think of things that would enable us to do this more effectively?