Episode 158 - God is generous and wise - James 4:1-3

James 4:1   What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

So far in this letter, James has spoken of the need for members of the church to have the wisdom that God gives. He has taught us the importance of taming our tongues and not showing partiality to some people over others. Our faith is evident to others through how we act. Demonstrating love and mercy to others are chief means to demonstrate our faith. We cannot bless God and curse people who are made in God’s image. Jealousy and selfish ambition are not compatible with the wisdom from God. We must be peaceable, gentle, and full of mercy to walk according to God’s wisdom.

In these first few verses of James 4, James asks a question. However, it’s rhetorical because he delivers a very clear answer to that question. It appears that he is aware of conflict among the believers to whom he’s writing because he asks, “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you?” His answer is “Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?” (James 4:1) Before we look at how he expands upon this, let’s ask ourselves what this means and how it leads to quarrels and fights. 

From the context of James, it appears that some of the “passions” they’ve manifested is a pursuit of influence that is evidenced when they show partiality. Why would they treat some special and disregard or disrespect another person in their church? In all likelihood, the person to whom they are giving special attention has authority and/or money and they hope to gain some advantage by treating that person well. But, this in itself creates division doesn’t it. When someone exerts their power and control over others, those who are marginalized from that power or privilege may suffer and not receive the benefit of the “one another” philosophy so common in Paul’s letters. The conflict is created through the competing desires of human flesh instead of people seeking the common good in Christ. 

The Apostle Paul describes the internal conflict provoked by the Law in Romans 7. He describes this conflict as knowing what God says is right and wrong in the Law and he wants to do what is right. However, because of our sinful nature, we don’t always do what God wants. The passions from our sin nature are at war with what is good and right and consistent with God’s character. 

In the second verse of chapter four, James explains what becomes of their futile and unfulfilled desires. First he says, “You desire and do not have, so you murder.” Seriously? Does he mean this literally or is this figuratively? I’m inclined to lean toward a more literal interpretation of this. Perhaps he’s not suggesting they commited premeditated murder as Cain did to Able when he didn’t get his way and he was jealous of his brother. (Gen. 4) But, perhaps through their selfish greed for power and filling their own lustful desires, they were not providing for those in need. The Israelites in Isaiah 1 are indicted essentially for murder “Your hands are full of blood.” (Isaiah 1:15b) and within the next two verses we learn the victims are orphans and widows. (Isaiah 1:16-17) Perhaps James’ indictment is similar. 

He follows this with “You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel.” (James 4:2b) In these back to back indictments we see the futility of seeking to be satisfied in the pursuit of our fleshly, selfish desires. 

James promptly explains the remedy. “You do not have, because you do not ask.” (James 4:2c) James began his letter by instructing these believers to ask God for wisdom because God is happy to grant that to everyone who asks. Why is that? Because the wisdom God grants leads people to make decisions that are consistent with God’s character and His righteousness. God wants to help us make right decisions for everyone’s good. God’s wisdom is not self-centered. God’s wisdom then should lead us to ask for what we need that honors the Lord and seeks the benefit of others as well as ourselves. 

James follows this with “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” (James 4:3) This is James’ response to someone who is thinking, “I have asked and still didn’t get what I wanted.” The point is that God knows our motives and He is not going to fuel our selfish desires. God is happy to give what he knows is truly good and right for us and for those around us. 

Effectively, James is first telling them “You don’t really trust God because you don’t ask Him for what you need.” The second he is saying is “God is not going to give you something to fulfill your own selfish desires and not use it for His kingdom purposes.” 

What do I get from this? I see that our God is generous to give us what is best for us and others around us. We need to respond by thinking how we can serve others needs through God’s blessing to us.

Prayer: Lord! Thank you that I can trust you to provide for my needs. Help me wisely trust you for that provision and how I might use it for your purposes.