James 4 - Introduction

SUBMIT YOURSELF TO GOD

-- JAMES FOUR --

James chapter 3 ends with a contrast of earthly wisdom and wisdom that is from above. "...This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." (James 3:13-18) In James four we see the effect of the "wisdom which descendeth not from above."

The wisdom of this world produces wars and fightings among brethren. Wars and fightings can be traced to the lusts of men. Worldly wisdom causes the neglect of prayer. (James 4:2) Worldly wisdom causes prayer to be offered through improper motives. The motives of those who pray with worldly wisdom are to gratify their own desires. This friendship of the world makes them enemies of God.

Envy is also a fruit of worldly wisdom. (James 4:5) Christians must remember that God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble. (James 4:6) Grace should cause those seeking heaven: (1) to submit to God, (James 4:7) (2) to resist the devil, (James 4:7) (3) to draw nigh to God, (James 4:8) (4) to cleanse their hands and their hearts, (James 4:8) (5) to be afflicted and mourn over their sins, (James 4:9) and, (6) to humble themselves before God. (James 4:10)

Care must be taken that we do not set ourselves up as judges of the law or as judges of our brethren. (James 4:11-12) We also must be careful not to plan and leave God out of those plans. (James 4:13-16) James four closes with a look at the sin that will mean eternal condemnation for many. "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." (James 4:17) The things James discussed are things people already knew. Our problem is that often we do not do nearly as good as we know.