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 we can count. They have trouble with every pastor and church they attend. Everywhere they go, they get into a fight with someone, and they are always the victim.
Some pastors and evangelists are guilty of doing the same. They rip up churches with their sermons by their arrogance and pride. They feel as if the church owes them something, and they never repent or apologize about how they have treated the people of God. Why is this so? James somewhat dealt with it in our last verse by talking about the war within, but he gives us a little more detail in this verse. He shows us that there is a battle taking place in their lives.
He gives us three reasons for their bad behavior. First, he mentions their wants again; they lust, but they do not have. He then speaks of their ways; they will stop at nothing to get what they want: killing friendships, destroying a brother or sister, or killing any joy or opportunity someone else might have so they can obtain. The last thing he mentions is their war; make no mistake about it, these people are ready to fight for what they want. Competition is their game, and they will do whatever they can to defeat you. Sadly, if you look at the text again, you will note that they fail each time. James says in every attempt, you have not, cannot obtain, and have not. Friend, the flesh never wins the battle!