James Chapter 4
James addresses quarreling that is happening amongst the believers. He gets to the root cause of such behavior and teaches them that their heart attitude is all wrong. This man, James, who had spent so much time with Jesus, must have been heartbroken to see believers behaving towards one another in such a manner. He gets right to the point and tells them where this heart attitude comes from.
Let's Reflect
1. Where is their heart attitude coming from that causes them to quarrel?
James uses the word murder in the description of their behavior. This was also the word that Jesus used in Matthew.
Matthew 5:21-24You have heard that it was said to those of old, You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
2. Based on the context of the verses in James and what Jesus said in Matthew, what do you think James meant when he used the word murder when describing the conduct of the believers?
A life lived seeking only selfish desires is very dangerous. And while that person is hoping to gain the desires of their heart, the irony is that they will never be satisfied.
3. The believer does not have fulfillment because he does not ask God for it. In other word, we need to pray and ask God to give us those things that He wants for us instead of seeking after our own heart’s worldly desires. Those who seek after worldly passions are called what?
4. It says in verse 5 that God yearns for us. He wants us to walk with Him, to draw close to Him. To whom does God give more grace to?
5. The key to submitting yourself to God and His ways; and to draw near to God is to do what?
6. Why does James in verse 9 tell us we should be fraught with grief and morn? Why should our joy be turned into gloom? What is he getting at here?
7. In the last verses of the chapter, he reminds us that God is in control of our lives. While we can make plans, we need to keep in mind that we are not God, and we do not control the outcome. When we think we have control of our own life, it is arrogant of us and James calls it what?
