Category: James 4

James 4:7 – Resistance Through Submission

Posted on by Will

Therefore be submitted to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Truth to Learn

Submitting to God is the only way to resist our enemy.

Behind the Words

The word translated “submit” is the Greek word, hupotassō which is made up of hupo (or hypo), which means “under,” as in hypodermic (under the skin), and tassō, which means “to place in an orderly manner.” Therefore, to submit means to place yourself under. This is a military term which means to place yourself in a lower rank than someone else, committed to obeying your superior’s orders. It is used here in the passive voice implying action done to the subject (you) and in the imperative mood, indicating that it is a command.

We saw the word “resist” in the previous verse. It is translated from the Greek word antitassō, meaning “to set-up battle lines against an enemy.” This word is also in the imperative mood indicating a command.

The word translated “flee”; is the Greek word pheugō, which means “to run away” or “to vanish.”

Meaning Explained

I hope we’re all prepared to hear James’ message about submission, because he’s going to say it more than once. He is saying that since God sets Himself against the proud and gives grace to the humble, we should allow ourselves to be placed under God (be submitted to Him) and stand firm against the devil. If we do these two things, we are told that the devil will run away. The scene I imagine is of a little child who has been harassed by the town bully. The child then runs to the biggest, strongest person around (who just happens to be his or her dad) and stands there in his shadow smiling confidently at the bully who runs away when he sees the child’s dad.

If we take this in context with the preceding verses, it is clear that James is telling us that when we are filled with envy and the lust to have more of what the world has to offer (the worldly lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of position and power), we need to be humbled before our God and resist these temptations. These desires for stuff, pleasure, and power are an integral part of the world system of which Satan is the prince.

Notice, however, that James does not simply say that we are to resist the Devil. Trying to resist the Devil without being submitted to God is like the child trying to resist the bully on his own. We all know what happens to the child when his or her father is not around. We are no different in our spiritual warfare against Satan and his world system. We cannot take him on by ourselves. It is only as we are submitted to God’s will and committed to doing things His way that we can have victory over our adversary.

Application

I have learned from experience that when I try to stand like a lone gladiator against the temptations that this world throws at me, I fail miserably. However, when I recognize my weakness from the start and fall on my knees before God, seeking His victory over the temptation, it often vanishes into thin air. Try it yourself, even today. When you find yourself tempted by this bullying world system, submit your will to your Heavenly Father and resist! For His glory!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 4:6 – Humbled before God

Posted on by Will

But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God sets Himself against proud ones, but gives grace to humble ones."

Truth to Learn

Humility before God is a key to having a fulfilling relationship with Him.

Behind the Words

The word translated “more” is meidzona, which is the comparative form of megas, meaning “big or large.” Hence, this word means “bigger or larger.”

“sets … against” is from antitassō, a compound word made up of anti, meaning “against” and tassō, meaning “to arrange in an orderly manner.” This is a military term meaning “to set-up battle lines against an enemy.”

The word “proud” is translated from huperēphanos, which is made up of huper (or hyper), meaning “above” or “over” and a form of phainō, meaning “to show forth” or “to shine.” Hence, literally, it is someone who overly shows himself or herself. That is, someone who is arrogant or personally proud.

The word “humble” is translated from the Greek word tapeinos, which refers to “those who are low, particularly in attitude or social position.”

Meaning Explained

When we make “stuff” our idol and seek it instead of God, it does not please Him. In fact, it makes God jealous because we are His beloved bride and He wants us to seek only Him. When we desire anything other than God, we are acting like an unfaithful wife.

In spite of our sinful selfishness, James tells us that God shows us grace greater than our selfish, self-serving attitude. But God does not show us this grace while we are filled with selfish pride. He only gives it when we are consumed with self-less humility. When we are proud, James tells us here, God sets up battle lines against us, and who in their right mind wants to go to battle against Him?

Throughout the Bible, we see that one of the keys to a fulfilling relationship with Almighty God begins with humility. Look at 2 Chronicles 7:14, where it says:

And if My people, on whom my name is called, shall be humbled, and shall pray, and shall seek my face, and shall turn from their evil ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Also, look at 1 peter 5:6, which says:

Be humbled, then, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in time

We are repeatedly told that humbleness before God is what He wants of us. We live in a world system, however, that is constantly delivering a message of pride and self-reliance, and it is constantly enticing our desire for stuff. That’s what advertising is all about! But as Christians, we need to continually humble ourselves before God and seek His will rather than our own.

Application

Take a pen and paper right now and make a list of the things that you really want in this life. Go ahead, stop reading at the end of this sentence and write down that list.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 4:5 – A Jealous Spirit

Posted on by Will

Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"?

Truth to Learn

Seeking things instead of God makes Him Jealous.

Behind the Words

“Vain” is from the word kenōs, meaning “with no purpose”

The word translated “dwells” is katoikēsen. Some Biblical Greek scholars believe that this is a form of katoikēō, meaning “to dwell permanently.” Others, however, claim that it is from an old verb, katoikidzō, meaning “to give permanent dwelling to.” The problem arises from the fact that it is expressed in the aorist tense and indicative mood, which indicates past action, occurring at a point in time. If this is a form of katoikēō, then James is saying that the Spirit dwelt permanently in us at a point in time in the past. If this is a form of katoikidzō, however, James is saying that the Spirit was given a dwelling place in us at a point in time in the past. In either case, it probably refers to the point in time when we were saved and God gave us his Spirit as a permanent dweller in us. One more degree of complexity in this verse is the fact that, as is pointed out below, this “spirit” could also be referring to our sin nature, which was given to us when we were conceived in the womb.

Epipotheō is the word translated “yearns.” It is made up of epi, used as an intensifier, and potheō, meaning “to desire.” Hence it means “to desire strongly” or “to long for.”

The word translated “jealously” is phthonos, which refers to “the pain of jealousy or envy.”

Meaning Explained

There has been, and continues to be, a lot of debate about this verse for two primary reasons. The first is that there is no Old Testament passage that is exactly quoted by this verse. There are several verses, however, that could fulfill the essence of what this verse says:

Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Genesis 6:5)

This is a reference to the sin nature that dwells in every one of us.

you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, (Exodus 20:5)

They have provoked Me to jealousy by what is not God; They have moved Me to anger by their foolish idols. (Deuteronomy 32:21)

This is a reference to the Holy Spirit of God who becomes jealous whenever we allow anything other than God to occupy our thoughts and desires.

Having said all this, it is apparent that James is making a statement of the general sense of what Scripture teaches us and that it is not a direct reference to a specific verse.

The second source of controversy concerning this verse is regarding what James meant by, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously.” The question is whether he is referring to the Holy Spirit who was given to us when we became a Christian, or to the sinful nature that we all received as a result of the “original sin” of Adam and Eve. Keep in mind that when we received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we received a new nature enabled by the Holy Spirit. However, the old nature (our sin nature) is neither removed nor reformed. Because of this, there is a constant battle within, as Paul tells us:

For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are opposed to one another, so that you do not do the things that you may determine to do. (Galatians 5:17)

If James is referring to the Holy Spirit, then he is telling us that the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us, yearns jealously (remember, God is a jealous God). This would support the idea that James is referring to the concepts presented in Exodus 20:5 and Deuteronomy 32:21 quoted above. If, however, he is referring to our sin nature, then he is saying that we have within us jealous yearnings (that is, selfish longings) that cause us to sin. This would support the concept presented in Genesis 6:5 quoted above. Either one would be a reasonable interpretation of this verse.

Now, let’s look at the context of this verse. James has said that we fight and battle because we lust after and covet things that we don’t have. He says that we don’t have things because we don’t ask. James also tells us that when we do ask for these things from God, we ask with the wrong motives, intending this “stuff” to satisfy our selfish desires. In fact, we make “stuff” our idol, giving it more of our attention and desire than we give to God.

When we long for stuff more than we long for a relationship with God, it is a form of idolatry, thus making us spiritual adulterers, which fits with what James told us in the previous verse. In the current verse, it makes sense that James is telling us that the Holy Spirit (the Spirit whom God, at some point in time in the past, gave to permanently dwell in us), has a longing, a strong desire, for a personal relationship with us. But, when we play the harlot with “stuff,” it makes God jealous!

After a lot of research and analysis and after a lot of internal debate, I am convinced that “The Spirit who dwells in us” is referring to the Holy Spirit. And – the reason He “yearns jealously” is because He wants our full devotion. He doesn’t want us to divide our devotion between Him and any idol of any kind.

Application

Are you filled with a longing for stuff? Are you constantly thinking of a bigger house, a better car, a better job, a boat, more clothes, a bigger retirement nest egg? Are you trying to be the kid with the most toys at the end of the game? If so, then you have made an idol out of stuff and you make God jealous. Or – do you spend your days trying to develop a deeper relationship with God, learning all you can about Him and what He wants from you.

Remember, God is a jealous God and you are His beloved one. If you really want to please God, then give him ALL your devotion. When we pray and “ask” God, we should all be asking for a better understanding of Him and for a stronger devotion to Him and Him alone.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 4:4 – The World, or God?

Posted on by Will

Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Truth to Learn

Buying into the world system, its values, ideals, and desires is a sure way to alienate yourself from God.

Behind the Words

The oldest manuscripts do not have “Adulterers and,” starting out the verse simply with “Adulteresses!”

The expression “Do you not know,” translated from ouk oidate, is difficult to translate into English with its full meaning. Ouk represents the absolute negative in Greek and the word oidate means “to see or perceive.” This verb is expressed in the perfect tense indicating a past, completed action with an ongoing result with the emphasis being on the result. So James is saying “Have you not recognized and now understand?”

Exhthra is the Greek word translated “enmity.” It refers specifically to hostility or hatred.

The word translated “wants” is boulomai, which expresses the desirous will. It is written here in the subjunctive mood indicating that it is likely not happening currently but possibly could. It might be translated as “Whoever might want …”

The words “makes himself” are translated from the verb kathistēmi. This is made up of kata, meaning “down” and histēmi, meaning “to stand” or “to be placed.” Hence, it refers to something that is firmly standing or firmly placed. It appears here in the middle voice indicating action that is done to or for the subject, by the subject.

Meaning Explained

Why does James call us adulteresses? Is he only talking to women? No. Does he think that none of us can remain faithful to our spouse? Certainly not! James is using the term in a spiritual sense. As Christians, our relationship to Christ is likened to a marriage relationship. The church is rightfully called “The Bride of Christ.” We are engaged to him now, the marriage will take place after the rapture, and will be followed by the wedding feast and a heavenly honeymoon! If we are spiritually unfaithful, meaning we place greater importance in something else than in our relationship to God, then we have committed idolatry, which is spiritual adultery.

James says that friendship with the world is idolatrous. The word translated “world” is kosmos. It does not refer to the physical earth, but to the world system. Christians need to be different than the unsaved inhabitants of this world. We need to guard against being caught up in all the trappings of the world system. And, in spite of what many are preaching today, we do not want to be world friendly! Otherwise, James says, we place ourselves in the position of being God’s enemies! We should be friends with those who are caught up in the world so we can be witnesses to them, but we must not buy in to their values, ideals, or goals.

Application

Christians should be distinctly different from those who are caught up in the world. We don’t need to be weirdly different. Instead, we should be delightfully different. Now, that’s something to think about!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 4:3 – Unanswered Prayers

Posted on by Will

You ask and do not receive, because you ask badly, that you may squander it on your pleasures.

Truth to Learn

Selfish prayers usually go unanswered, and when they are answered the way we want, we usually regret it later.

Behind the Words

The word “ask” is translated from aiteō, which specifically refers to a request by someone made to another who is superior, like a beggar from a giver, a child from its parent, or any person from God. In James’ usage here it is clearly referring to someone asking to receive something from God. This verb, as well as the verb translated “receive,” are present, active, indicative verbs, indicating current continuous action (you are continually asking and continually not receiving).

The second word translated “ask” is also a form of aiteō. This occurrence, however, is in the present tense, middle voice, and indicative mood. The middle voice implies something done by the subject (you) to or for the subject (you). Hence, it could be translated as “you ask for yourselves.”

The adverb “badly” is translated from the Greek word kakōs, which means “badly” or “in an evil manner.” And the word translated “pleasures” here is the same as in James 4:1, hedone (sensual pleasure, enjoyment, or gratification).

“Squander” is from dapanaō, which literally means “to spend.” When used in a negative sense, as it is here, it means “to consume, to waste, or to squander.

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse James said that the reason we don’t have things is because we don’t ask. Now he’s telling us that when we do ask we still don’t receive them because we are asking for the wrong reasons and with the wrong motives. Here is a literal translation of this verse:

You are continually asking and not receiving because you are continually asking for yourselves in an evil manner, that you might waste it on your sensual pleasures.

Once again, we see James’ politely in-your-face style portrayed here. He does not sugar coat the truth, and he does not dance around the issue. The reason that our prayers to God are not being answered, he says, is that we are focused on ourselves. We are selfishly asking God for things that will give us pleasure! We often tell God (and even fool ourselves into believing) that we have needs for which we seek His help. In reality, though, these needs are usually nothing more than selfish desires for comfort and pleasure.

God is certainly concerned for our needs but not for our pleasure. He never promises us pleasure, he promises us peace. There’s a big difference between these two!

When we pray, it should be for things that will ultimately glorify God, not things that give us pleasure. If the answering of our prayers causes praise and glory to be ascribed to God, He is likely to respond favorably. If the prayer is simply for our own comfort or pleasure, He is likely to respond negatively.

Sometimes, however, God does answer our selfish prayers. But in such situations we usually don’t get the results we were looking for. Instead, we get pain and or suffering and God uses these trials to help us grow. This may very well be the source of the old adage, “Be careful what you ask for, because you just might get it.”

Application

Do you keep a prayer list? If you do, get you list out right now. If you don’t, then take a few minutes to write down the things that you have been praying for lately. Now look through your list carefully and critically. How many of these prayers are for your own selfish comfort or pleasure, and how many of these things will result in God receiving glory and praise? (Ouch!)

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 4:2 – Fighting from Desire

Posted on by Will

You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and are not able to obtain. You fight and battle. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.

Truth to Learn

Our own selfish desire to have is the reason why we fight.

Behind the Words

The word translated “lust” is the Greek word epithumeō which is a compound of epi which means “upon, above, or over” and a form of thumos, meaning “a strong passion of the mind.” Hence, epithumeō refers to “overly strong desires” or “lusts.” This is different word that the one translated “passions” in the previous verse.

“Murder” is from phoneuō, meaning “to kill unjustly” or “to murder.”

The word translated “covet” is dzeloō which means “strong feelings” and can be either for or against something. The translation of “covet” is better than the “desire to have” which is how it is translated in the KJV because of the strong feeling implied in this word.

Machomai is translated as “fight.” It literally means, “to fight as in a battle or a war.” As used here, it probably means a physical confrontation in a private quarrel. Whereas the word translated “battle” means,“ to go to war against an enemy.

As we have shown it here in our translation, James probably intended a grammatical stop after battle. If this is so, the verse reads thus:

You lust and do not have – you murder. And you covet and are not able to obtain – you fight and battle. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.

Meaning Explained

In the previous chapter James warned against the desire for an eminent position in the church such as being a teacher. He now talks about the problem of an inordinate desire for things.

He says that the lusting for things is why we kill and that our covetousness (untempered desire for something that someone else has) is why we fight.

“But,” you say, “I’ve never killed anyone, and I certainly don’t go to battle, so this verse really isn’t for me.” However, Jesus equated unjustified anger with killing, as Matthew recorded in his gospel account:

You have heard that it was said to those of old, “Do not commit murder, and whoever commits murder will be in danger of the judgment.” But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without cause shall be in danger of the judgment. (Matthew 5:21, 22a)

James also talks about fighting being the result of our coveting, so I’m sure that this verse applies to every one of us. We all get angry and we all covet. We are all guilty before the Lord.

In the final analysis, James tells us that the reason we don’t have what we want is because we don’t ask. And when we do ask, we often do so with wrong motives. James will get into that in the next verse. So, how do we have our desires satisfied? Here’s what the psalmist said:

Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. (Psalms 37:4)

Application

Let’s each one of us take a few minutes right now to confess our inappropriate anger and covetousness to our God and Father. And, instead of making our delight be the possession of things and getting what we deserve, let’s make our merciful Lord and Savior our delight and thank Him that we don’t get what we truly deserve.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 4:1 – Roots of Conflict

Posted on by Will

Where do wars and controversy come from among you? Do they not come from your passions warring in your members?

Truth to Learn

Fighting and quarreling result from our own selfish desire for gratification.

Behind the Words

The opening word of this verse is pothen, which is an interrogative adverb. That is, it indicates the question, “From where?” It may imply “What is the place?” or it may imply “What is the cause?” as it does in this case.

The word translated “wars” is polemos and refers to warfare or fighting in general. The word translated “controversy” is the word machē, which refers to specific “battles, skirmishes, or controversies.”

“Among you” is translated from en humin, which literally translates as “in you (plural).” James is referring to the fighting and bickering within the church. How tragic!

The word translated “passions” is hēdonē (from which we get the word hedonism). This word means “sensual pleasure, enjoyment, or gratification.”

The verb translated “warring” is strateuomai, which means “to wage a military campaign.” It is expressed here as a participle in the middle voice, so it could be interpreted as “waging war with yourselves.”

“Members” is a word that we have seen previously. It is the Greek word melos, referring to a limb or other part of the body. In this case it is probably referring metaphorically to members of the Body of Christ (the Church.)

Meaning Explained

Being the practical person he is, James will focus this entire chapter on interpersonal problems that exist in the church. The church is not immune to problems and James wants us to see what causes them so we can overcome them. He has just taught about heavenly wisdom which is peaceable and the fruit of righteousness which is sown in peace. Unfortunately, such peace is often lacking, even in the church.

He tells us here that the source of wars and battles among people are the very desires for pleasure and personal gratification that each one of us has naturally. But it is not the mere possession of these desires that causes problems, rather it is the uncontrolled expression and pursuit of these pleasurable desires (the lusts, as we will see in the next verse).

James is using a complex metaphor here referring to the personal pleasure that wars “in your members.” By this expression he is referring not only to the battling that goes on inside each one of us, within our own bodies, but also the selfish battling that goes on between members of the body of Christ, the Church. And once again we see that problems, even within the church, are caused by focusing on ourselves and our own needs, instead of the needs of others.

Application

Are you at odds with someone in your church? James will tell us later how to eliminate these quarrels. For now, though, let’s recognize that the source of the issue is your own desire for gratification. Can you release that to God? Can you forgive the other person (and forget the offense ever happened) and give God all the glory?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved