James 4:5 KJV [5] “Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?” In the last verse, James places emphasis on the world. In this verse, he emphasizes the flesh. The flesh cannot be tamed, trusted, or tolerated. The Bible teaches us about the depravity of the flesh. James asks a profound question when he says, Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain,…? The answer is, No, never! The Bible paints a clear picture of the flesh. That does not mean the actual body itself. There is …
“Spiritual Adultery”
James 4:4 KJV [4] “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” The Devil is the number one enemy of God. The world is the number two enemy of God. Believers should feel the same way about making friends with the world as they would making friends with the Devil. It’s strange how many believers today will take a firm stand against Satan while flirting with the world. God calls this friendship spiritual adultery. We …
“Unanswered Prayers”
James 4:3 KJV [3] “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” The crowd in our text is full of wars, fighting, lust, murder, and in the next verse, accused of spiritual adultery. However, they are people who pray. It is strange how people can be so evil yet still bow their heads and go through the formality of prayer, believing that God will hear them through their selfish pride. In verse two, he told us that they failed to pray personally, but in this verse, he tells us …
“The Battle Royal”
James 4:2 KJV [2] “Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.” I remember in school that some students just liked to fight. It seemed like they never got along with anyone. They were always trying to start an argument or pick a fight with someone. Those students had as much conflict inside as they created around them. There are people in our churches that are just the same. We all know of people who have been members of more churches than …