James 4:1-3 Bible Teaching

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PRAYER
MUSIC
SILENCE

James 4:6
April 19th 2015
Meat

Okay, in the previous chapter (3:13-18) James contrasted the “wisdom which is from above” with that “which is from beneath.”

We talked about this last week.

The “above” wisdom was described as peaceable, pure, and gentle, leading to universal kindness and order and he said the wisdom from beneath is “earthly, soulish and devilish.”

Chapter four seems to spring forth from these remarks and seem to be aimed at showing the effect of the “wisdom which descendeth not from above.”

So let’s read through the first ten verses:

Verse one, James asks:

1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

There is a lot of didactic instruction here. It is strong – and to be honest it is both understandable and troubling at the same time –

Understandable because he is writing to the scattered converts from the House of Israel who were living in very difficult times rife with trial, persecutions, and uncertain transitions.

Troubling (for me at least) because we have to wonder why the didactic-in-your-face instructions when converts certainly possessed the Holy Spirit and would be convicted of such crimes if involved in them.

This is yet another reason Luther had such a dislike for this book – it is really full of instructions on how believers must act instead of relying more on the lead and grace of God to bring us all along by and through the Spirit.

So, as stated, he has been talking about wisdom from above and wisdom from beneath in chapter 3 and now asks in verse one:

4:1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

The Greek word for wars is polemas and it is the word where we get polemics – (arguments, heated debates) and the word for “fightings” is makhay and it means exactly that.

Combine them and we are probably not reading about actual physical warfares between believers with sword and shield but bitter infighting and striving with each other.

Verbal brawling so intense that if the words could take action they would shed blood.

Where do these things come from among you? He asks.

And then he gives us the answer to his question in the next part of the verse, saying:

“Come they not hence, even of your lusts?”

Some believe that James is speaking of the contests and seditions existing among all Jews – even those which ultimately erupted in outright rebellion against the Roman authorities and which led to the overthrow of the Jewish nation.

But when he adds “between yourselves” I doubt he was writing to those outside the faith and was therefore speaking of broils, strifes, and disputes between the believers.

Is it possible that believers would ever fight among themselves?

So much so that all of the apostles appeal to the early saints to learn to live in peace, to hold their tongues, to be kind, and not quick to wrath or judgment or to being offended easily.

On the other hand it may be – and this is just as viable – it may be that he was telling the recipients of the epistle to not war with other Jews – or anyone else!

Stop the fighting! Is the command, and when we think about it, it doesn’t matter at all to whom he was speaking.

Historically it is known that such a spirit of contention prevailed among the Jews and so it very well could be that he was telling all believers not to get engaged with it.

Why? He tells us where such wars and fighting comes from:

“Come they not hence, even of your lusts?”

The Greek word for lusts is haydon and it is where we get the word hedonist.

It means sensual pleasures.

Think about this. In chapter three he says that the wisdom that comes from beneath is of the earth, the soul (mind, will and emotion) and demons.

Where and on what do all of these sources prey? The senses – sensual pleasures, appetites and desires.

From this place, James says, comes all arguments and fighting.

The carnality of flesh LOVEs to be right. Loves to dominate. Loves to feel the electricity of excited friction, drama, even physical conflict.

The drivers of these thrills is earthly, soulish and devilish.

4:1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

Our corrupt passions, which have their seat in the flesh, are what is warring in “our members.”

This is an interesting term because while it typically means limb it is also used in scripture to describe the whole person or body. Looking at it in this latter sense we could understand the war James speak of is between members of the body – or believers themselves.

When we think of warfare in this world most of it can be traced to some presence or another in the flesh.

I doubt that the Spirit of Christ ever moves a person to war but instead to peace.

Therefore if we are speaking of actual war most have occurred in the world due the carnal or lustful desire for control of more land, oil, conquest, booty, or revenge.

Extrapolate this out and apply it to the Body of believers and we can possibly trace most infighting to the same drivers.

Or to the flexing of power, might, wisdom etc, which are merely exercises in ego.

Again, the thriving presence of the Holy Spirit invokes meekness, gentleness, mercy, fairness, equity, the fear of God, and the spirit of Christ.

If we as individual Christians are commanded to turn the other cheek, forgive, be longsuffering and to suffer wrong and injustice wouldn’t the same reactions come out of individual countries and or churches that claim the name of Christ as well?

I am certain of it.

At this point James goes from speaking in general terms of principles to some direct references to behavior.

He gives us

In verse 2 he gives three

1 Ye lust, and have not:
2 ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain:
3 ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

And in verse 3 he gives one more:

4 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

It seems in his lists here he is pointing out to these believers that to claim God in their hearts but to operate by elements of the flesh that results are going to be hard to achieve.

Think about this for a minute. If a person claims to love and follow God BUT appeals to the elements of their flesh and lusts to control and/or try and get what they want the result (in all probability) are going to be failure cause on the one hand God is not going to reward you – you’re operating from the flesh which He despises, and Satan – knowing you are God’s – would probably get more pleasure out of watching us suffer than to grant our desires.

It seems to be in relation to this principle that James is writing.

First, “Ye lust, and have not.”

You want to have something that you lack and this prompts you to try and obtain it through some fleshly means – manipulation, force, coercion, larceny.

You are God’s but you are employing Satan’s ways to get what you desire.

It is said by Plato (our only source to Socrates) that on his death bed he said:

“Nothing else but the body and its desires cause wars, seditions, and contests of every kind. All wars arise through the possession of wealth.” (Phaedo)

Stretching this out to a logical but tenuous conclusion we might suggest that all wars are nothing but attempts to rob – whether the wars exist between countries, churches, or individuals – and as with all robberies there are present elements of control, invasion, manipulation and benefit for the invader, and in the end, theft.

We tend to think of individual “wars” as being abhorrent – grow up, be Christ like, but are somehow able to justify corporate actions coming from institutions or countries.

What’s the line?

“To kill one man makes us a murderer, to kill many makes us a hero.” The spirit is the same.

So he tells these scattered believers, “You lust but you are not getting what you want,” then adds:

“Ye kill and desire to have but cannot obtain.”

The Greek word here means kill or slay but in the past and for reasons unknown some have suggested the meaning her is you envy.

I mention this because your respective studies or Bibles may reveal this perspective. I think its wrong because the Greek term for kill means kill or slay and has nothing to do with envy.

This expression James employs here probably relates to having a murderous disposition or harboring a brutal and murderous spirit.

Because he says, “you kill and desire to have,” it seems like he is describing a covetous nature – which is merely several steps from murder for gain.

But again, this disposition founded in the flesh bears no fruit, or as James says:

“You kill and desire to have but cannot obtain.”

In my estimation James is describing one miserable state here.

A believer who is so weak in faith they have allowed their flesh to reign by the wisdom of this world.

By and through it the individual is a seething monster, desiring things in his mind, killing in his head (or even with his hands) but does not get what he or she wants.

Utter misery for neither God nor Satan show up rewarding.

Jesus provided the mind-set in the Sermon on the Mount, saying:

Matthew 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

We recall the amazing story in 1st Kings 3
Where David’s son Solomon was asked by God what he desired and Solomon said (at verse 9)

9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;
12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. (listen to this part now)
13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honor: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.

The principle is seek God first, lean not to the wisdom that is of this earth, our soul or of demons – trust in the Lord and He will not only direct our path He will provide and grant us the righteous desires of our hearts.

I want you to know I have put this biblical principle to the test – and I have also failed and put my hand back on the plow seeking to make my own way.

He will NOT allow this to be – at least in my life. He wants to do the building and providing and creating – I’m just there to learn to trust this in every situation.

Apologies for the repetition of the story but it was so significant in my early walk as a Christian it bears repeating.

When we first started in on ministry up here in Utah at the end of 2005 I was without any real creditials, without any real employment, without any real income or savings, and had absolutely NO idea how I would lead the family financially being in school full time and now being offered a television show in another state.

I had all KINDS of advice from well meaning Christians on how to do things, how to make things happen, how to be a wise steward.

But I did NOT trust any of it – to me it was soulish wisdom not from above.

One cold night I jumped on the bike and rode down to the State beach which was closed.

I went out to the berm and the wind was blowing and the sky was clear and sparkling with stars. There I cried out to God.

I told him I had no idea how I was going to do it. I had been devising plans, I have been thinking on whom I could get to fund and finance everything – I mean I was appealing to every bit of wisdom from the earth, from my soul and from demons (as far as I could tell).

After praying and not getting any answer I felt inclined to ride north on the bike path.

I started out. Huntington State beach is very rustic and minimal. As I rode I noticed homeless men and women wandering in the lots and around the bathrooms.

I watched as every other light lining the path were out of order, how there was trash and fire pits still smoldering from people who had left them behind.

As I peddled north and drew closer to the City beach, the improvements and upgrades were apparent.

The lights over the path not only became more numerous but were all functioning.

The path got smoother, and the surroundings got better and better as I rode toward the pier.

Real structures, bronze art, alcoves for resting, cleaner bathrooms, stylish food services.

As I rolled up to the pier, in all of its night glory extending out into the storm tossed sea, a gorgeously lit double decker restaurant loomed over my shoulder, filled with happy people eating great food, listening to music and enjoying each others company.

And right . . . at . . . that . . . moment God spoke to me – clearly – to my heart.

And He asked me point blank:

“What did you do to create all of this?”

I was stunned. And I said, “nothing at all.”

And how did you see all of this develop around you? Came the second query.

“I rode. I peddled.”

And then I heard clear as a bell.

“Shawn, you ride, you peddle – I will do the building.”

And I knew – unquestionably – that I was not to do anything but what I do. That He would care for all things one way or another.

And you know what? Much to the chagrin of people, He has. Every time. He has developed, He has blessed and fortified, He has provided, He created. All I have had to do was ride in faith.

David said in Psalm 37:25

“I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”

Listen – Jesus has promised – promised that God is mindful of all those who are His – even of those who are not. He does, and He will care for us.

There is no need to appeal to the wisdom of this world . . . with Him on our side.

James adds a very important principle at verse 3 saying:

3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

I have been told over the course of my life two polarized views relative to prayer and getting answers to prayer.

On the one hand I have heard that God answers every prayer – one way or another.

There is biblical evidence for this stance.

On the other hand there is evidence that there are times when God will not hear our prayers.

What is the truth?

Then we add in the fact that God also does what He wants whether we pray or not AND/ OR whether our hearts are right before Him or not so that brings in a whole bunch of other dynamics to the gig.

What can we say?

Well, starting with this passage we are given a premise from James. He says:

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

A few other translations read it this way:

(RSV) You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

(TCNT) You ask, yet do not receive, because you ask for a wrong purpose–to spend what you get upon your pleasures.

(WEB) You ask, and don’t receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it for your pleasures.

(WNT) or you pray and yet do not receive, because you pray wrongly, your object being to waste what you get on some pleasure or another.

God knows our hearts. He knows whether we, as His children, are asking or making a request of Him out of pure motives or if there is something about them based in the self.

This must reflect His replies.

Additionally, we may honestly, out of a good heart request something from Him but He may know granting the request would ultimately hurt us or His intentions – so He says no.

Then there is the principle that He does not hear us because we have angered Him so much.

Let’s talk about this last caveat for a minute because it is biblical.

First from the Old Testament. Now these passages are much more applicable to the notion that God only responds to those He is please with because the people were under the Law.

Do good, get blessed. Do bad, get dissed.

Job says in Job 27:7-9

Let mine enemy be as the wicked, and he that riseth up against me as the unrighteous.
8 For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?
9 Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him?

Speaking of his enemies David said:

“They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.”

Psalm 66:18 says
“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.”

Psalm 109:6-7 says something interesting:
“Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand. When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin.”

Proverbs 1:28-29 says
“Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD.”

Proverbs 28:9
He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

Isaiah wrote in chapter 1:13-15
13 Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.
14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.
15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

Listen to the Word of the Lord to Jeremiah 14:12 as the Nation had waxed gross in unbelief and sin:

“Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for their good.
When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.”

God says in Ezekiel 8:18
“Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them.”

From the words of Micah 3:4 we know that God in the Old Testament would not respond when they did evil, saying:

“Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.”

From all of this we often get the impression that God will or will not hear us based on our worthiness or righteousness today.

This is true and false. Before explaining how let’s hear a few verses from the New Testament on the topic of conditional prayer.

The first mention is in John 9 where the man who was born blind is speaking with members of the chief priests and he says in John 9:31:

“Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.”

In this case we have to remember this was a Jew referring to the customs and teachings in the Old Testament.

The next is here is James verse three where he has said:

3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

To me, this is the first New Testament evidence that God will not respond to those who ask of Him things they want to selfishly consume according to their own lusts.

The resistance from God is NOT due to the worthiness of the person but to the motives of their heart – there’s a difference.

In the Old Testament the motives don’t seem to play as much a role as the outward holiness of the individual.

But now, with sin being taken care of by Jesus Christ one and for all, it’s the condition and motives of the heart of the petitioner that seem to predicate whether God responds or not.

There are another couple passages to consider which are found in 1st John. They shed great light on the subject.

The first is found in 1st John 3:21-22 where he says:

21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

Right off the bat it SEEMS that John is reverting back to the Old Testament order of things when he writes:

22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

But if we just read one more verse we gain a much better view because after saying this he adds:

1st John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

I am going to say something sort of radical but I know from first hand experience that it is so – at least for me. And the experience does not thrive outside the biblical narratives parameters.

The sin of the New Testament is faithlessness and failure to love so when this is the case in a believers life – they are failing in faith toward God and or they are failing to love – God may (and I emphasize MAY) without answering our petitions to Him.

Where James says God will not answer because we intend to consume his blessing upon our lust it is another way to say we are not being loving but instead self-focused.

So we have consistency between the insights of James and those of John.

The radical thing I want to impart to you today is do NOT allow yourself to believe for one moment that God will not hear you because of your carnal sins.

Those have been taken care of by His Son. They are gone, erased, and are over – trust this in faith and then ACT LIKE it in all you do – whether it be how you relate to others or how you pray to God.

See, Satan wants people to believe that they have to be perfect to pray to God and get answers. This places us back under the law.

The heart of FAITH in Christ Jesus knows that there is nothing we can do to make ourselves more worthy (or less worthy) in God’s eyes with the exception of our faith on His Son (as the solution to our selves) and the love we seek to show God and man.

In other words no longer are our prayers linked to our external worthiness but they are now linked to the condition of our hearts.

And it’s really a diabolical, faithless position that suggests a person has lost the ear of God because they fail in the flesh.

We all fail in the flesh – the question is, are we failing in the heart for Him, in our belief and reliance upon Him, in our desired love for Him and others.

This is what dictates the effectiveness of our prayers – in addition to the will of God in our lives.

The last verse for the day and out of the New Testament to consider regarding our prayers and God hearing us is 1st John 5:14-15

It says:

“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Again, this passage makes clear several points to consider with our prayer as Christians today.

First, we are to have confidence (faith) in Him – and this is the confidence:

“That if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”

Note the inference to the influence of the Holy Spirit in our pray life for how could we know what to ask that is in accordance with His will if it was not by the Holy Spirit.

Additionally these words make James words clear because if we are asking something that is His will it would be from the Spirit that comes from above and NOT from beneath – therefore whatever we were asking would NOT be with an effort to consume them on our lusts.

In the reciprocity of John’s thinking he adds:

15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

In other words, when we ask of the Spirit, and of Him, and with confidence trust this, we know that we will receive of Him.

This is faith.

This pleases God. And pleased, He loves to bestow His greatest gifts upon His children.

Q and A