Don't You Know?

James 4 cont’d:

…You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Yesterday we wrote about quarrels and conflicts and how they lead to murder – killing relationships and the spirits of those with whom we argue.  And at the end of the passage it said that we don’t have because we don’t ask.

And here in this passage it says when we do ask, we don’t receive.  Why?

I’ve prayed plenty of times with wrong motives. I’ve asked for blessings above and beyond what I need so that I will feel good about myself, because I see things others have and wonder why I can’t have them, or because my worth and self-identity is wrapped up in what I think I need to be fulfilled.  And sometimes, even when I’ve gotten what I prayed for, I’m still dissatisfied.

“Friendship with the world” is when we want to hang out, be like, and fit in with the culture in which we live.  The world lives for the moment, seeks sensual pleasures, and delights in being on top – above everyone else.  And that sort of friendship is not healthy…or wise.

If fitting in with our culture and the ways of those who don’t even seek God is our motive when we pray, or if this idea of having it all at any cost motivates us to quarrel and stir up conflict, this passage states we ourselves make ourselves…

an enemy of God.

And that means we are fighting against the very nature God has instilled in us when we invited him in to be Lord & Savior – the nature of humility, servanthood, giving, and love toward others. 

We’re in a war against the lust of the world.  But because of the Holy Spirit living inside us, we have already won.  IF we choose to surrender to his bidding daily.

Our eyes, our ears, our mouths, our hands, and even our sense of smell – all of the things by which we take in our surroundings – must be tuned in to what He sees, hears, tastes, handles and senses.

That kind of life is the only kind of life that satisfies and results in peace.

From Above

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

The beginning of this chapter started with the tongue and how evil and flammable it is.  And now the other bookend to this chapter starts with wisdom from above.

Loose tongues set fires that destroy.

Wisdom from above sows peace that produces fruit.

And what does this wisdom from above look like?

• It’s not tainted with evil.
• It doesn’t cause arguments and rage.
• It’s sweet.
• It makes sense.
• It’s merciful and fruitful.
• It doesn’t falter.
• It’s genuine.

I want this wisdom. Do you?  Who doesn’t want to live in peace and produce fruit of like kind?

Lord, we cannot tame our tongues, neither can we keep our eyes from lusting after what we see and desire to have.  But we can submit to your Holy Spirit, and we ask you for wisdom – from above.  And we receive it, daily, as we walk towards peace.

The Source

James 4 –

What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask…

I hate to quarrel, and I hate conflict.  Yet I find that I sometimes create quarrels and conflict all on my own, all because of my own insecurities and desires.

There’s a war being waged (or fought) among us.  Our flesh (our minds and bodies) crave things that we see, ways we want to feel, and stuff we think will satisfy.  And so we go after them….by committing murder, fighting, and quarreling.

What? Why does this passage mention committing murder?

Murder, by definition, is premeditated.  That means it starts in the mind and goes from there.  And when we start quarrels and conflicts because of what we’ve been thinking, things that are all flesh-related, we are in a sense murdering those with whom we strive.

Quarrels kill the spirit.  Conflicts lay out relationships on the floor.  And lust of any kind renders dead the love once had.

Because our minds take over and our eyes see what we cannot have, we pick fights to go after these things.  We start quarreling with our husbands because of what they’re not doing to satisfy us.  We are in conflict with our friends because they are more successful than we are.  And so the murder begins….

The end of this passage is intriguing…where it states we do not have because we do not ask…

We’ll look at that tomorrow.

If You Have It

James 3 cont’d:

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.

Yesterday’s verses talked of wisdom, gentle wisdom.  Today’s verses talk of the opposite – jealousy, bitter jealousy.

Have you ever been jealous?  It’s not fun, is it? You become dissatisfied with the way you look or what you don’t have, and you look at others and want what they have. We’ve all done it.  Perhaps, we do it daily.

However, what is “bitter” jealousy?  I think it’s jealousy that has been allowed to run rampant in our hearts until we become bitter and begin to hate the person we’re jealous of, and we begin to imagine their ruin, and quite delight in that imagination.

Jealousy is rooted in selfishness, arrogance, and lies.  And it’s not a good way to live, thinking only of what we want, how we must have it, and that we can’t live without it – whatever “it” is.  In fact, jealousy leads to what?

“…disorder and every evil thing.”

If we are to even begin to tame our tongues, walk in gentleness of wisdom, and not stumble along the way, we must get rid of jealousy.

Jealousy pops out from the bushes along our paths daily, like a buzzing bee ready to sting. But as long as we keep our focus forward, wipe the stinger out quickly (should we get stung,) and stay away from where the entire hive swarms, we can continue to move forward towards wisdom…sweet gentle wisdom…from above.

Gentle Wisdom

James 3 cont'd:

Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 

This verse comes right after all the strong descriptive writings about the tongue and how evil and vile it is.

So I suppose that in order to even begin taming this deadly weapon housed in our mouths we must seek wisdom and understanding.

And God says if we desire wisdom, all we have to do is ask him – because he gives liberally to those who love him.

And when we are wise enough to realize that we need to seek wisdom “from above,” a pretty cool result follows:

We exhibit good behavior in our deeds in the “gentleness” of wisdom.

Gentleness is just the opposite of what was describe in the prior verses about the tongue – a fire that destroys.

Gentleness of wisdom does not evoke pictures of a weak person, but rather someone who is strong, tall, confident, and full of grace – who doesn’t react to adversity with strong words of abuse – but rather glides through the storm with words of truth and wings that glide.

I know a few people, a very few, who exhibit this gentleness of wisdom.  And these people are the ones I enjoy being around, listening to, and appreciate.

Are you seeking wisdom?  Just ask God for it, listen to what he says, and surrender.

Trainers & Tamers

James 3:

For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.

In the circus, we watch lion tamers, those who can get elephants to do amazing things, and dog trainers who make these animals leap through hoops that are on fire! But can you imagine going to a circus where we observe “tongue tamers?” What would that look like?

The fact is that we cannot tame the tongue.  We can bless God while in a great worship service, sing praises, and exalt his name. And later the same night, we can throw out curses to our husbands, our friends, etc. because they disappoint us, make us angry, or hurt our hearts.  

The tongue is so often just a part of our body that reacts…instead of directs.

Only the Holy Spirit, alive and well in our hearts, and our choosing to surrender to him, can enable us to use our tongues for good…and not evil.

And that surrender has to happen daily, hourly, minute by minute…in order to be trained – not for a circus show – but to show the world His love.

Forest Aflame

James 3 cont’d:

See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.

Oh my goodness, what a strong warning!

Isn’t it so true, though?  We can say one wrong word out of anger or judgment toward someone and it’s as if a fire begins to rage.  Or someone can say something awful to us because they’ve misunderstood us, or they speak too quickly before they think, and our entire body falls limp under the accusation and blame.

We all know what danger is present if a match is struck and allowed to light even the smallest of an item in a house.  If it isn’t quickly put out, the flame spreads until the whole structure is black, smells of smoke, and everything inside is ruined.

That’s the picture here…with the tongue.

And these verses say our tongues are full of iniquity – prone to sin – and can set an entire body aflame.

But imagine a body with a tongue that is slow to speak, only speaks of truth, and only builds up those to whom it speaks?

Sounds like perfection…doesn’t it?

The Small Part

James 3:

If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.

What would life be like if we could tame our tongues? I like the analogies used in these verses.

Horses require bits in their mouths so that we can get them to obey our commands.  We do this, because otherwise we can’t ride and stay on a horse that is wild.  The bit enables the horse and the rider to ride as one.

Ships that set sail on the seas are huge, and without a rudder directed by the pilot, the ship would wander off course and perhaps disappear forever.  What a waste of a vessel full of people and cargo, headed for a specific destination.

It shouldn’t be any wonder then that so many verses in the bible speak to us about how we speak to others, and how important it is that we speak life.

In order for us to be one with God, steady in our course, not tossed around and lost, we have to be guided effectively and safely. 

And the tongue, though a small part of our body, can agree with or disagree with what the  Word says…and end up in a good place…or a bad place.

More tomorrow…

A Great Story

The end of James 2:

You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

What if the men who needed shelter showed partiality in this story and turned away from Rahab (a harlot!) because of her reputation?  They would have missed out on one of the most incredible stories in the bible.

This lady received these men and sent them out another way, in order to protect them.  She put her faith in action with her works.  Her life of being a harlot no longer defined her. Instead, her faith in God and his people did.  And this was her saving grace.

What a great story to end a chapter on partiality and favoritism.

We never know who might walk in our door, sit beside us on a chair, or stand next to us in line, and unless we actually look and take notice of the person and not the outward appearance, we just might miss out on a great event.

But if we look at the person, see them as God sees them, and offer them a seat of honor, we just might be blessed beyond measure.

Favoritism with partiality is sin.  Faith with works is life.

Faith was Working

James 2 cont’d:

Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God.

This story has always mystified me and amazed me, tugged at my heart, and made me wonder.  How could a father obey this order from God?  And how could a son willingly go with his father, knowing his father’s intent was to slay him?

There must have been an incredible relationship between these two, and between Abraham and God.  An incredible relationship of trust.  Faith. 

In fact, it says here that Abraham believed God (had faith in him) but that faith was “perfected” because of his works.

God asks hard things of us sometimes.  He requires that we give up a career path in order to spend time with our families.  He asks that we walk away from doubt and fear so that we demonstrate faith in His protection and guidance.  He sometimes leads us through a dark tunnel because he knows the light is at the other end.

The end result of all this faith/works combination is being called God’s friend.

Wow.  

There’s another verse that says His love sticks closer to us than that of a brother.

When we are God’s friend, when we demonstrate by obedience that we totally believe in his goodness and love, our faith becomes perfect.

This perfection might be a lifetime achievement award that we won't win until the end of our journey, because faith, with works, is a process we learn to combine over time…over decades...over years...

Dynamic Duo

James 2 cont’d:

What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?  If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.

Did you know this passage comes right after all of the instruction about partiality?  I didn’t realize it.

Faith without works is not a faith that can be used.  Faith without works doesn’t help a friend in need.  Faith without works doesn’t warm a cold heart. And faith without works is dead…because it’s alone without its counterpart.

I love it when in times of national disaster, churches open their doors to feed those that have lost everything.  The churches gather clothing and goods to get their neighbors on their feet again.  That’s faith in action.

It’s awesome when a friend is going through hard times and we show up at their door with a meal, or a box of goodies to bless them and meet their needs.

And it’s amazing when we hear of a need and give of our own stash of money in order to bless someone else, who has nothing.

That’s the kind of faith that others see, and it’s the kind of faith that draws others in, to the love of Christ.

Faith with works – it’s a dynamic duo!

But if...

James 2 cont’d:

If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.  For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not commit murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.

Loving our neighbors as ourselves – Jesus said to do that in second order to loving God with all our heart. In other words, when we love God…we will love others…and we will do well.

But here again is that word, that sin, that was mentioned back at the beginning of the chapter, “partiality.”  And these verses reiterate that partiality is just as much a sin as committing adultery or even murder.  In fact, I would contend that sometimes when we show partiality we are committing a murder…of sorts.

When we favor one person over another because of outward appearance or economic status, we are in essence turning away from a person of value.  And when that person sees this, it can crush her spirit.  It happens in families all the time. A parent favors the child who does well in school and shows potential, and disregards the efforts of the child who is a challenge or makes a mistake. 

This is one of the strongest passages in the bible, in tone.  We often shake our head when we hear of another marriage in shambles because of infidelity, and we shudder to think that someone was murdered in our town.  But do we feel the same emotion when partiality is rampant in the church?

Maybe we don’t really love God with ALL our hearts if partiality is present. 

It’s something to think about…

Listen Up

James 2 cont’d:

Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court? Do they not blaspheme the fair name by which you have been called?

These verses come right after yesterday’s passage, instructing us to not show partiality or favoritism.

Now we’re told to listen further.  God’s kingdom is the complete opposite of the culture in which we live.  

Our culture teaches that the rich are those who have much, look beautiful, and are famous because of it.  But God’s kingdom is full of the rich who have much faith, look like Him, and are humble about it.

Those who are rich by our culture’s standards, yet lack the true riches, are not to be our example of someone to aspire to be like – not at all!  

Riches that come from our own earnings and success tend to produce control in our hearts and actions that surface in looking down on others “less fortunate.”

Very often we see a lack of riches as a sign that we are not “as blessed” as others by God.  And  just the opposite is true. 

Sometimes our greatest blessing is not having enough “stuff” so that we depend on him for true riches, which he gives without restraint…and also more than we need each day of the bread that sustains us.

Don’t dishonor the poor and give praise to the rich.  It’s sin.  Instead, honor each other above your own self, give a seat to the poor, and in doing so…you will obtain great wealth.

"Over There"

I’m enjoying James so much that I’m going to continue on with chapter two:

My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives? 

The title of this section of scripture in the bible was “The Sin of Partiality.” 

I’m not sure I have ever heard anyone talk about “this” sin.  In other words, showing favoritism, or partiality, in the body of Christ is just wrong.

Maybe it’s more subtle than mentioned here in these verses, but we all do it.

We scout out those that are more like us than not, and we run after a relationship with them. I do it.  It’s easier to hang out with those of like interests, like economic status, and like appearance.  And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.

However, when we shun or don’t even see those who are different, we give preference and attention only to those who look good in our eyes, and we don’t make room for (by giving them a seat – the least we can do) someone who is “dirty” (maybe a person from the streets?) we are called “judges with evil motives.”

Those evil motives might include a desire to gain a friendship with a person we admire and look up to, so that we can reap or receive benefits from them. 

Have you ever been at a party or function and been talking to someone, and it appears as though they are listening, until someone “of interest” walks up?  It’s not fun to have a friend turn away in mid-sentence to leave you hanging….

Lord, help us to see those who show up at church, or beside us in line at the grocery store, as ones of value and worth, and offer them a seat – not a place “over there.”