Verse By Verse Through James

Chapter Four

James 4:1 “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?”

• As you read this verse, remember the verses that preceded it (James 3:13-18).
• Yes, saints are spiritual soldiers at war (Ephesians 6:10-17, II Corinthians 10:3-5, I Timothy 1:18, I Timothy 6:12, II Timothy 2:1-4, II Timothy 4:6-8, and Jude 1:3-4).
• That war, that fight; is not supposed to be among the saints (II Corinthians 13:11 and Colossians 3:15).
• The Lord’s body is supposed to be at peace (I Thessalonians 5:13).
• Peace is to be pursued (Romans 14:19, Ephesians 4:1-3, and II Timothy 2:22).
• The Lord is the source of peace in the body (I Corinthians 14:33).
• Instead of destroying, as in warfare, saints are supposed to build up and support each other (Romans 15:1-3 and I Thessalonians 5:11).
• Yet, think about what is written here and what was going on in Corinth as failures in the Lord’s will (I Corinthians 1:10-13, I Corinthians 11:16-19, and II Corinthians 12:20).
• What was the source - their lusts [ἡδονή]. Meaning: “(to please); sensual delight; by implication desire: - lust, pleasure” (Strong’s # 2237). Think of other verses wherein the Greek word is translated “pleasures” or “pleasure” (Luke 8:14, Titus 3:3, and II Peter 2:13). We will talk again about their lusts going forward in this context (James 4:2-3).
• Their lusts warred in their “members” [part of the human body; cf. Matthew 5:29-30]. Carnal desires do just that in our bodies (cf. Galatians 5:17 and I Peter 2:11).
• Our bodies should be instruments of righteousness, not tools towards sin (Romans 6:13).
• Such as why saints have to destroy the works of the body, the flesh (Romans 8:13 and Colossians 3:5-6).
• Among God’s people, sometimes the sources of the problems need to be removed (Proverbs 22:10 and Titus 3:9-11).
• As we see here in James 4:1 [even of your lusts], think about what fueled the fighting and divisions in Corinth (I Corinthians 3:1-3).

• To understand “lust; ἐπιθυμέω” [to set the heart upon, that is, long for (rightfully or otherwise): - covet, desire, would fain, lust (after).] as this verse states, see the following Scriptures: Matthew 5:27-28 [cf. Exodus 20:17], Matthew 13:17 [desired], Luke 15:16 [fain], Luke 16:21 [desiring], Luke 17:22 [desire], Luke 22:15 [desired], Acts 20:33 [coveted], Romans 7:7, Romans 13:9 [covet], I Corinthians 10:6 [lusted], Galatians 5:17 [lusteth], I Timothy 3:1 [desireth], Hebrews 6:11 [desire], I Peter 1:12 [desire], and Revelation 9:6 [desire] (Strong’s # 1937).
• What we are going to see in chapter five is that living in pleasure, and how they went about to obtain such, was not satisfying (James 5:1-6; cf. Proverbs 13:7; 15:27).
• Is this to be taken literal? Killing as in murder? Yes, (James 5:6). Remember what David did to cover up his adultery with Bathsheba and ultimately take her to be his wife (II Samuel 11:1-27). Remember how violence was very much part of the history of Jewish culture (Isaiah 59:1-13, Micah 3:9-12, Mark 12:38-40, and John 16:1-3).
• Ask and you shall receive (Matthew 7:7-11). Why weren’t they just asking?
• In chapter one, we talked about how they were to ask for wisdom (James 1:5-7; cf. I Corinthians 12:8).
• However, there is more to it than that. We will discuss that in the next verse (James 4:3).

• In the previous verse (James 4:2), it was said they were not asking for things they should have. Now, we see what they were asking for were things motivated by their lusts (cf. James 4:1).
• Requests of the Lord must be “according to His will” (I John 5:14-15).
• As saints today consider Scriptures about prayer, we have to be cautious. Scriptures about asking in prayer often tied to miracles (Matthew 21:18-22, Acts 28:8, and Acts 9:36-41). We have to understand that during the time saints were addressed in the first century spiritual gifts and miraculous events were active. That time was temporary (I Corinthians 12:1-13:13 and Ephesians 4:7-14). We talked about this when we looked at the prayer for wisdom in James 1:5.
• Prayer, even in the time wherein God worked miracles among men, was not for man to have it good in a carnal sense on earth (II Corinthians 12:1-10).
• The lusts [pleasures] of this life choke the word of God (Luke 8:14). Why would man think they could pray for something that would stand in the way of the salvation?

• Adultery typically means a married individual has had sexual intercourse with someone other than his or her spouse (Leviticus 20:10).
• Adultery is also spoken of in the Scriptures as instances wherein God’s people joined in a relationship with idols or people’s outside of the fellowship in a spiritual nature (Jeremiah 3:1-21 and Ezekiel 16:1-38).
• This verse is clearly talking about spiritual adultery (cf. Matthew 16:1-4).
• Friendship [fondness] with the world is contrary to our relationship with God. We are not to love the world (I John 2:15-17). We are not to conform to the world (Romans 12:1-2). There is to be a separation in fellowship (II Corinthians 6:14-7:1; cf. I John 1:1-7).
• God has always instructed His people to keep distance between themselves and those who are not His people (Proverbs 4:14-17, Proverbs 13:20, and I Corinthians 15:33). In the Old Testament, God told His people to rid the land of the heathen (Deuteronomy 7:1-2). God’s instruction, to rid the land of the heathen, was to keep His people from their ungodly influence (Deuteronomy 7:3-6). As we know, the children of Israel did not obey God and they certainly did end up following the influence of the heathen to serve their god’s (Psalms 106:34-35). Jesus has drawn clear lines (Matthew 12:30, Matthew 13:24-30; Matthew 13:36-­43, and I John 1:1-10).
• When you think of the word “friend” just think of being a disciple of our Lord and that relationship (John 15:14). How can you have that same relationship with the world from which we are to come away from (John 15:18-19; cf. I John 4:4-5)? What is the world (I John 5:19)?
• There are extremes here that need to be cautiously avoided though. We are to be, as the disciples were spoken of, in the world but not of the world (John 17:14-16). It is impossible to live in this world and not have interactions with worldly people even outside of trying to teach the lost (I Corinthians 5:9-10).
• We are also instructed to love our neighbors (Luke 10:25-37).
• So, as with all instructions of the Lord, don’t be an extremist one way or the other. Walk with the right balance. The world should see that your closest human relationships are with your brothers and sisters in Christ (John 13:34-35).
• Understand that if you choose to draw close to the world in friendship, God then considers you His enemy (cf. Proverbs 17:15). Think about how we should be viewing those outside of the fellowship of God (Proverbs 29:27 and Matthew 18:15-17).

• I do not know what James in referencing here. I am not going to guess at it. I wish I did know, because the context of the reference might help to shed light on this verse. We do not have all that was ever written, it may be something within those writings he is referring to (cf. Numbers 21:14, Joshua 10:13, II Samuel 1:18, I Kings 11:41, I Chronicles 29:29, II Chronicles 9:29, II Chronicles 12:15, II Chronicles 20:34, Esther 10:2, Colossians 4:16, and Jude 1:14). *Don’t fret, we are not accountable to what we cannot know (James 4:17).
• The carnal man is envious (Galatians 5:19-21 and Titus 3:1-3).
• Such must be laid aside (I Peter 2:1-2).
• In this context, with verse four in mind, when a saint would put himself or herself into a close relationship with the world the envy of sinners would be easy. Think about how a saint could have a feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or luck. Why do Scriptures warn of such (Proverbs 3:31 and Proverbs 23:17)? Remember what we discussed in the previous chapter (James 3:14-16).
• This verse takes my mind to a Psalm (Psalms 73:1-28).

• “But”, ties back to what was said in verse 5.
• Does “he giveth more grace” mean that God is okay with His people being envious? NO! Grace is not a license to sin (Romans 6:1-2 and Titus 2:11-14).
• What it does mean is this, He will forgive (Ephesians 1:7).
• To whom will He give more grace? Not the proud (Psalms 119:21, Proverbs 11:2, Proverbs 16:5, Proverbs 16:18, Proverbs 18:12, Isaiah 2:11-12, and Mark 7:21-23).
• He giveth grace unto the humble (Proverbs 3:34, Proverbs 15:33, Luke 18:9-14, and I Peter 5:5-6).

• Those that think they’ve got it on their own are not submissive to God (Romans 10:1-3).
• So, what does it mean to submit? It means: “to subordinate; reflexively to obey: - be under obedience (obedient), put under, subdue unto, (be, make) subject (to, unto), be (put) in subjection (to, under), submit self unto” (Strong’s # 5293).
• You have to be obedient to be saved in the end (Hebrews 5:8-9).
• Obedience to the will of God is a repeated truth throughout the entirety of the Scriptures (Genesis 18:19, Exodus 19:5, Joshua 24:15-24, Nehemiah 1:5, Psalms 119:1-2, Psalms 119:97-105, Proverbs 19:16, Isaiah 1:10-20, Matthew 7:13-27, Matthew 12:46-50, Luke 6:43-46, Luke 11:27-28, John 8:28-32, John 14:15-23, James 2:10-12, II John 1:6-9, and Revelation 22:14).
• You will bow at some point. So choose to do so now (Romans 14:7-12).
• Resist the devil (Ephesians 4:27), he will flee (Matthew 4:1-11).
• Understanding that no one today is facing direct interference from Satan or his angels (Jude 1:6) as we see in some accounts of old (Genesis 3:1-6 or Job 1-2).

• You can seek and find the Lord (I Chronicles 28:9, II Chronicles 15:1-2, Isaiah 55:6-7, and Acts 17:22-31).
• You can draw near to Him (Psalms 73:28, Psalms 145:18, Hebrews 7:19, and Hebrews 10:19-22).
• When there is a distance between God and man, it is not God that created that distance (Proverbs 15:29, Isaiah 50:1, Isaiah 59:1-3, and Hebrews 3:12).
• God will come to those who are coming to Him (Zechariah 1:3, Malachi 3:7, and Revelation 3:19-20).
• The Lord doesn’t want to see anyone perish (Ezekiel 18:20-32 and II Peter 3:9).
• The idea of clean hands is about having clean deeds; works (Psalms 18:20-24, Isaiah 1:15-16, and I Timothy 2:8).
• God has a part in His people being clean (Revelation 1:5), but so do we if we err (II Corinthians 6:14-7:1 and II Timothy 2:19).
• Can you purify yourself? Yes, (I Peter 1:18-22 and I John 3:3). A Christian must maintain his or her purity in Christ (I Timothy 5:22). Purity is internal (Matthew 5:8 and I Timothy 1:5) and external (James 1:26-27). Think about how being pure doesn’t just impact actions, but even one’s perspective (Titus 1:15).
• Can you be made pure solely on your own? NO, (Hebrews 13:12)! *Sanctify meaning: “…to purify…” (Strong’s # 37).
• We discussed in chapter one about the double mindedness of some to who this letter was written (cf. James 1:8).

• When repentance is needed, not only must one be humble (James 4:6); but one must also have sorrow (II Corinthians 7:8-10).
• In the next chapter, the rich will be told to weep and howl (James 5:1).
• Mourning is part of the process of true repentance (Ezra 10:6 and Joel 2:12).
• What is there to rejoice about when you are in sin? In that state wherein one is separate from God (John 9:31), what is there to be happy about?

• Taking into account what we have read already (James 4:6-9)…
• There has to be contrition (Psalms 34:18, Psalms 51:17, and Isaiah 66:1-2).
• Think about what happened with Job (Job 42:1-6).
• The humble being exalted (Matthew 23:12 and Luke 18:9-14).

• If you do your word study work on this you will find this is talking about slandering individuals as often happens to the faithful (I Peter 2:12 and I Peter 3:16). See: Strong’s # 2635
• Another application to be made is not to “speak evil” of anyone (Titus 3:1-2 and I Peter 2:1-2). Paul was guilty of this on one occasion (Acts 23:1-5; cf. Exodus 22:28). He also had this happen to him (Romans 3:8).
• When it comes to judging, let’s carefully rightly divide about judgment (II Timothy 2:15 and II Peter 3:15-17).
• There are areas wherein saints are to judge (John 7:24, I Corinthians 2:15, I Corinthians 5:1-6:8, I Corinthians 10:15, I Corinthians 11:13-15, and I Corinthians 11:31-32). *NOT A COMPLETE “LIST”
• If we never judge, we’d be easy prey to false teachers (Matthew 7:15-20).
• There are other areas that judging ought not to happen (Matthew 7:1-5, Romans 2:1-3, Romans 14:1-3, and Colossians 2:8-16). *NOT A COMPLETE “LIST”
• The ability to judge properly, to discern, grows with spiritual maturity (Hebrews 5:12-14).
• The law of Christ is the standard for judgment (John 12:48, Romans 2:16, James 2:10-12, and I Peter 4:6).
• Sin is transgression of the Law (I John 3:4).
• Saints cannot step into the place of the Law, for then we would become the judge. We are not the judge (John 5:22 and II Corinthians 5:10).
• We are supposed to be the doers (James 1:21-25), not the judges.

• There is one lawgiver (Isaiah 33:22; cf. John 5:30, John 6:38, John 8:26, John 12:49-50, and John 14:10).
• God is able to save (Jude 1:25) and to destroy (II Thessalonians 1:4-9).
• Know your place (Romans 14:4-13)!

• In the KJV, we see the phrase “Go to now” two other times (Ecclesiastes 2:1 and James 5:1). The phrase simply means “Come now” or “Come on now.”
• No one can count on tomorrow (Luke 12:13-21).
• Time and chance leaves us without control on our plans (Ecclesiastes 9:11-12).
• Furthermore, only the Father knows when Jesus will return to judge and end the world (Matthew 24:35-36, Matthew 24:42, Matthew 24:44, Matthew 25:13, Mark 13:31-32, and II Peter 3:7-14).
• Life is likened to that which quickly passes (II Samuel 14:14, Psalms 90:10, Ecclesiastes 3:19-20, and I Peter 1:24).

• We have to be careful with this verse. It is easy to mishandle.
• When Paul used similar statements (Acts 18:21 and I Corinthians 4:19), he was being directly moved by the Spirit as to where he went, when, etc. (Acts 16:1-10). That does not apply to anyone today.
• Also, as we addressed in the notes on verses 13-14, time and chance are factors no one controls (Ecclesiastes 9:11-12).
• The application of this verse for anyone today is simply that the Father determines whether or not tomorrow comes at all for everyone (Acts 17:22-31).

• They were boasting in their arrogance. The Lord hates arrogancy (Proverbs 8:13).
• Don’t boast of tomorrow (Proverbs 27:1).
• Remember how we discussed that tongue that boasts of great things (James 3:5). They are guilty of this regarding future planning.
• It is an attribute of God to know what is coming in the future (Isaiah 46:9-10). What is man saying when he thinks he holds the future in his own hands?

• Sin defined: I John 3:4 and I John 5:17
• When you know [discern; understand] the right thing, you are expected to do it (John 15:18-24). Haven’t we talked about the base point of this already (James 1:21-25)? Think about how many times, those of us who are parents, told our children something like: “you know better!”
• This is not just about hearing the Gospel either. There is a knowledge in man, that grows as he matures, wherein some things are understood to be right and wrong through our God given conscience (Romans 2:12-16). Consider how Joseph naturally knew what the Law of Moses had not yet said (Genesis 39:7-12; cf. Leviticus 20:10).
• This verse qualifies that for one to be a sinner they must at least be capable of knowing [discerning] good from evil (Deuteronomy 1:21-39).
• Children for example, do not have the ability to discern right from wrong (Isaiah 7:16; cf. I Corinthians 13:11 and I Corinthians 14:20).
• Such is used to illustrate the difference between the spiritually mature from the babe in Christ (Hebrews 5:12-14).
• Even our carnal laws in the USA understands that those without a certain level of understanding cannot be held accountable for certain things.