The 4th Chapter of James holds wonderful truths for God’s people! (As does the whole Bible, of course!). But, perhaps it’s been a while since many of us have read through this chapter. In reading this chapter recently I was struck by the message of God’s people being “separate” from sin and the world. At least that is, called to be separate, expected to be separate, and empowered to be separate, but in need of willingness and decision to be separate. God provides the tools, strength or power, and the direction needed – but as for the decision, that lies in our hands. James 4 makes that abundantly clear, as do so many other countless passages in the Bible! Let’s go through the chapter and pull out some points for edification. I’ll simply reference ideas and portions of text, but you’d be blessed to read the whole chapter (See James 4).
- Wars, squabbles, and fights among us come from selfishness, lust and sinfulness, which is a part of the fallen nature or old creature which Jesus wants to eradicate from us (v.1). See also Eph. 4:22 and 2 Cor. 5:17 for more detail.
- The worldly way is to fight and squabble for stuff. God’s way is that we ask in prayer, trusting Him to provide, and being thankful for what He, in His perfect wisdom gives (v.2).
- The sin of God’s people pointed out here is that they were lusting for things and fighting for them after a sinful and worldly manner. Then asking for things selfishly which were totally contrary to God’s plan from the get-go. This sinful nature in us, if followed, and not crucified (put to death) will make us to be enemies of God who are unfaithful to Him. Such a course is strongly condemned here for what it is – siding with the enemy against God (v.3-5).
- Thankfully, God gives the grace we need – but only to those who humble themselves before Him, surrender and ask for His help. The proud and sinful are on their own (v.6). – Surrender.
- “Submit…therefore to God” (surrender) and “resist the Devil” (resist sinful urges) and “he will flee from you” (the devil will be running away) (v.7). Surrender to God. Resist the devil. The devil will run away. – That’s a key for success! But, it depends on our choice. Choice to surrender to God. Choice to resist Satan.
- “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (v.8). It’s another CHOICE for victory. Draw near to God. He will draw near to you. You and me can have more of the Holy Spirit, presence, and power of God in our lives. Draw near to Him. It’s a choice. Pray, read the word, fill yourself with His holy things and surround yourself with Godly influences while cutting off the bad ones. By this very choice to “draw near to God” we are enabling ourselves with power from on High to be able to overcome sin, and to be filled with God’s presence! It’s His promise, but our choice. Draw near to God. He will come near to you. (See also John 15:4,5; Matthew 11:28-30).
- “Cleanse your hands ye sinners; and purify your hearts ye double-minded” (v.8). The problem is being double-minded. People in God’s own church have loved sin too much. We have half a mind to follow God, and half a mind to follow our sins. The apostle James hits the nail on the head! Again, it boils down to a choice. Throw away the sin – get it out of your hands. Humble yourself before God, plead for His mercies and grace, ask for Him to help you have a pure heart (See Psalm 51:10). Hide His word in your heart so that you’ll be transformed by it and will learn not to sin (Psalm 119:11). Let your mind be transformed and renewed in God (Romans 12:1,2). Once more, choose to drop your sin now, humble and plead before God for forgiveness and strength, and seek Him in His word which will transform your mind and heart!
- “Be afflicted,” “mourn,” “weep,” “let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy to heaviness” (v.9). Sin is no light or laughing matter. It is life and death! We need a heart, mind, and attitude change. It’s time that we shun the worldliness and realize our true condition before God. Better to take things seriously and change our course than to dance on into destruction!
- If we humble ourselves before God, “He shall lift [us] up!” (v.10). Amen!! That’s a promise from God! HE will lift us up! He will drag us out of the mire of sin and worldliness that we’ve gotten ourselves into, but only if we are willing to truly humble ourselves before Him and seek His help!
- We are not to judge and bad-mouth each other. We should NOT speak evil of others. God Himself will take care of things as need be (v.11-12).
- Our life is just a “vapor,” here fore a little while and then gone tomorrow. We, therefore, should choose to live according to God’s will and make the best of every day for Him! Let us not be seeking worldly gain or imagining to run our own life-course according to our own wisdom. That is vain (worthless), and will get us into trouble for sure! We must trust the Lord and ask for HIS will to be done. Look for His will and follow that, as He allows, living one day at a time in perfect trust (v.13-16).
- Therefore, “He who knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin” (v.17). In other words, we have no excuses before God. When we know it is wrong then we had just better stop digging into that sin, choose to cast it aside, and start humbling ourselves before God. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” Let our hands be cleansed and our hearts made pure by God’s power.
Hopefully, as you’ve had a chance to meditate upon this chapter you’ve been able to find heaven’s blessing in it! God has a plan for us and power to be overcomers! We must be separate from this world of sin! We are called, expected, and given power to overcome sin, but we have to make the choice to follow God’s plan. “Cleansing our hands” and having our hearts made pure, we can no longer live a double-minded life. Let it be so with us to draw near to the Lord, to resist the devil and to be set free day after day in Jesus!
