What do you want ...

We might be reminded that the battle that rages is not one of flesh and blood but with principalities and powers (not even of this world). And James reminds us of this again in the fourth chapter of his letter. The battles we have are often from within. They are not always about external forces. In the instances he mentions it is about what we desire from a world view. As I think of this I contemplate the comforts, the pleasures, the "things", power, position, etc.

The problem is, these tend to pull us away from or separate us, from God, and what His will and plan is for us. They tend to take over and become a distraction to the simplicity of what God offers and promises us. They not only effect our relationship with God, but on many occasions the relationships we have with others, and James mentions the quarrels and fights, the jealousy and even the extreme of death (think even of King David as he pursued Bethsheba).

James highlights further the problem: "if you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God" - ouch! That is full on.

The secret or success to overcome is found in "coming close to God, and God will come close to you." Develop the relationship with God. Allow God's voice to be the One you hear and heed. Seek or search out His plan, His character and live it.

Have a look at the verses:

James 4:1-10 (New Living Translation)

Drawing Close to God

1 What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? 2 You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. 3 And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.

4 You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. 5 What do you think the Scriptures mean when they say that the spirit God has placed within us is filled with envy? 6 But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say,

“God opposes the proud

but favors the humble.”

7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

May it be that we seek to further pursue and develop our relationship with God.