August 26, 2022
James 4:1-10 (HCSB)
Proud or Humble
4 What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don’t they come from the cravings that are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your evil desires. 4 Adulteresses! Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So whoever wants to be the world’s friend becomes God’s enemy. 5 Or do you think it’s without reason the Scripture says that the Spirit who lives in us yearns jealously? 6 But He gives greater grace. Therefore He says: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 7 Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people! 9 Be miserable and mourn and weep. Your laughter must change to mourning and your joy to sorrow. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.
Garnett Cothern
The old saying “bite your tongue” has a place in these few verses. We want and want, strive to get, and envy becomes our friend. Whether we express it or not, the pointless expression of many, maybe even ourselves, is “why don’t we have what they have?” It’s stated that we don’t have because 1) we don’t ask and 2) we ask with the wrong motive. The “world” enters into our asking and our personal desires gain footing. Attain and refrain become our mode of operation. We refrain from seeking God’s will and seek to attain that which is temporary. Why can’t we be satisfied with what God gives and continually seek His leadership and His provision? He gives grace and peace and love. They are without price. Accept His gifts and His way. We can’t take our earthly stuff with us. He will allow us to gain in ways that advance His kingdom and exceed any of our expectations. Let’s spend our time, talents, and possessions honoring our God. Amen and amen!!
HOW CAN I APPLY IT?
Proud or Humble
4 What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don’t they come from the cravings that are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your evil desires. 4 Adulteresses! Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So whoever wants to be the world’s friend becomes God’s enemy. 5 Or do you think it’s without reason the Scripture says that the Spirit who lives in us yearns jealously? 6 But He gives greater grace. Therefore He says: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 7 Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people! 9 Be miserable and mourn and weep. Your laughter must change to mourning and your joy to sorrow. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.
Garnett Cothern
The old saying “bite your tongue” has a place in these few verses. We want and want, strive to get, and envy becomes our friend. Whether we express it or not, the pointless expression of many, maybe even ourselves, is “why don’t we have what they have?” It’s stated that we don’t have because 1) we don’t ask and 2) we ask with the wrong motive. The “world” enters into our asking and our personal desires gain footing. Attain and refrain become our mode of operation. We refrain from seeking God’s will and seek to attain that which is temporary. Why can’t we be satisfied with what God gives and continually seek His leadership and His provision? He gives grace and peace and love. They are without price. Accept His gifts and His way. We can’t take our earthly stuff with us. He will allow us to gain in ways that advance His kingdom and exceed any of our expectations. Let’s spend our time, talents, and possessions honoring our God. Amen and amen!!
HOW CAN I APPLY IT?
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