James 4:5,6

Strongly Wanting What Belongs To Another

The first four verses of James 4:1-17 deal with worldly desire that is contrary to God's working. Verse 5 continues the thought by referring to a statement which is repeated in principle several times in the Old Testament. It is the plain teaching of scripture as a whole that man driven by fleshly desire covets with a selfish desire what others have (Ecclesiastes 4:4; Proverbs 27:4). Of course, God is going to punish those exhibiting such an attitude (Genesis 6:5-7; Job 5:12-13).

Fleshly desires lead one in a direction contrary to God's will, or spiritual desire. They will cause one to work those things which will result in eternal judgment (Galatians 5:16-21; Romans 8:4-8; Isaiah 63:8-16).