James 4

Good Morning “Resisters of the Devil.”  Today we are in James 4.

What is all the fighting about?  Do you ever wonder?  Why can’t we all just get along? Check out what James says:

“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.” James‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭

We’ve already read that we should be content.  Here, according to James the root of our quarrels is selfishness.  It also appears we don’t know where to look or who to ask for what we need or want.  

“When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”
‭‭James‬ ‭4‬:‭3‬ ‭

Satan loves to divide and conquer - To turn us against each other.  I don’t know how it works exactly.  Does he whisper in our ear to stir up what we already desire?  Does he simply help us focus on ourselves instead of otheres?  All I know is it’s real!  Scripture has much to say about this Spiritual Battle we’re in - and that our war is not against flesh and blood (each other).

All I know is that with Jesus we no longer have to fall for his schemes.

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

To that end, James has a very simple formula to stay on track.  

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭

We resist the devil by remembering what we were taught, by taking our thoughts captive and comparing them to the Word.  We draw near to God by spending time with Him.  These aren’t just words… it really works.

Love you all!  Dig in!