"Seeking Wisdom While Running From Worldliness," James 4:1-12

Run Away from Selfish Ambition (vss. 1-5): Submit Yourself to the Lord (vss. 6-12): Do you ever wonder why there are so many church divisions over trivial things? Do you ever wonder why people in church culture fight and quarrel over things that make no sense? James asks this, but then answers. He identifies this fight as warfare (armed conflict); the origin of a war or any quarrel is sometimes hard to find, but James touches the sore spot here. If the believer was taming the tongue, as James advises, they would not allow the sin of envy as self-centeredness rule in their lives and churches. It is your passions that drive you. Same word used here where we use the word “hedonism.” We run from selfish ambition and run to Him. You are either in Christ Jesus and led by the Spirit of God, or void of the Spirit of God and lost and a friend to the system of the world. Now, James is writing to believers, so his words still echo, “these things ought not to be named among you.” James then reminds the readers to resist, “resist the devil and he will flee from you.” The interesting word for resist carries the meaning to “stand against the devil.” One does not “stand against the devil” in their own power. Acknowledge that God is the Lord of all—over your life, your decisions, and your circumstances. This entails comprehending that His ways are superior to yours (Isaiah 55:8-9) and that nothing is your own apart from Him (Psalm 24:1). Understanding this serves as the foundation for submission. How do we resist worldliness and submit to Christ? Acknowledge God is in Control (Sovereign): Live in Obedience to His Word: