Faithful on Fridays Blog

4:7-17

What should you do if you find yourself thinking more like the world than like God? You’ve caved to temptations that rationalize sin and ignore God’s Word. Pastor James gave strong warning to his people, and us, that God will oppose that kind of prideful thinking, but He will favor the humble. When we come under His leadership we stand together against the devil’s temptations driving him to leave, allowing the Spirit to guide us back to the Word of Truth; the Spirit will not share His place in our heart.

For the Word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4:12

When we repent of our sin, drawing close to God, He forgives and cleanses our hearts so we don’t fall into that trap of double-mindedness. 

The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. Psalm 145:18

James doesn’t leave it there, though, he told his people, as all pastors should, that we are sinners, wretched or deserving of God’s wrath, and for that reason we should mourn, we should grieve, and we should weep over our sinful nature. 

God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for Him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. Matthew 5:3-5 

Going off on his church family again James warns of speaking evil against one another with judgmentalism. Don’t fall into that trap or temptation! God is the one and only Judge, not you, and He alone judges accurately. Your perspective will always be skewed in your favor as you defend or justify yourself. He questions his congregation, and so should we, Who do you think you are passing judgment on your neighbor (vs. 12) … God? 

I think we all need to be reminded that our life on this earth is only temporary and yet we do make plans for the future. Pastor James’ point is that our plans need to include God. He will lead us (‘come now’ vs. 13) to make the right decisions at the right time (that’s wisdom); without Him our life is self-centered instead of Spirit-centered. 

How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? James 4:14a

That’s a great question. Do your plans in life include a future of simply making lots of money? James told his people that kind of arrogance is evil and God considers it sin. On the other hand, if you seek God for your future and His will you’ll know the right thing to do; you’ll be led by the Spirit. Think this through and consider it, my friends, it’s sobering and yet hopeful that God is still in control and loves you with an everlasting love.