Friday, April 25, 2014

James 5:7-12

 7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. 8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! 10 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. 11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. 12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.

Commentary
Vs. 7-8 In light of the many injustices and wrongs being done in this world, and at times in our own lives. It's easy to lose sight of the greater picture, a picture which includes us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the redeemed and ransomed of the Lord. And so we all must be patient, waiting on the coming of the Lord. Because God has not forgotten us (consider Psalm 10; 43:1-5; 44:20-26; 49:5-15; Isaiah 49:14-26; 54:17), nor the wrongs done to us. Instead when the Lord Jesus Christ returns, God will not only make all things new, but also perfect, just, and sound (Isaiah 32:16-18). Therefore just as the Farmer must also wait patiently on the early and latter rains which cause his crops to grow, before they ripen for the harvest. So must we be patient as we wait on the Lord. For there is both the "here and now" which is our lives in this fallen world and the glorious future that will be. And so as we journey homeward we must as the Apostle James says here, "establish our hearts", for the coming of the Lord is at hand (vs. 8). Therefore let neither trial, nor tribulation to yourself or others shake you. Instead establish YOUR HEART IN THE LORD, so that He might establish the work of your hands (Psalm 90:17), for a sure reward awaits us as we do (Luke 6:22-26).

Vs. 9 "Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!"

Therefore we must let the trials and tribulations that we will all face in this life become a cause for our turning against each other! For truly that is one of Satan's ploys to take the hurts and wrongs often unwittingly done to each other, and turn believers against each other, rather than towards each other in a spirit of reconciliation, love and peace (consider 2 Cor 2:5-11). For too grumble against (i.e. strongly complain or "moan" about) one another is utterly discordant with following the Lord Jesus Christ. Since it not only denies His sufferings for us all, to redeem us all, from our own sins and transgressions. But it inevitably sows discord amongst brethren, something that is abhorrent to our Lord and Savior (consider Prov. 6:16-19; 1 Cor 10:1-11, vs. 10). Therefore if you have issues or concerns with one another address these directly in a spirit of Christian love, peace and unity. Or if you have concerns regarding your church's leadership, address the church's leadership in the same Spirit of love, peace and unity, but not confrontationally. Instead clearly express your concerns to them, as well be willing to listen and dialogue with them, and thus be enlightened if need be as too what they are trying to do. Since oftentimes what one thinks is happening, and what is actually taking place, can be easily misconstrued through a lack of communication and misunderstanding. For any healthy leadership group will always welcome accountability, as well as input from those they seek too lead as Shepherds of the Lord Therefore instead of grumbling about each other, work together for the greater good of your church community and each other, as the Apostle Paul commands of us all, "Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." Phil 2:4 For in working out your differences in a Spirit of Christian love, unity, and peace, you'll not only grow in Christ-likeness, you will also be a blessing to God, and each other as well.
And so the Apostle James makes it clear that grumbling about each other is not fitting for any brethren who professes faith in Jesus and love for each other. Indeed the Apostle James here warns that such risk being condemned. For it's the Lord Jesus Christ alone who is the Judge of us all, who will give to each one of us, according to our own works and ways.  


Vs. 10-12 10 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. 11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. 12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.

And so in light of the many trials and troubles that will come to us all who desire to live Godly lives (2 Tim 3:12). We need to remember the prophets of old, who spoke in the name of the Lord, who also suffered for their faith in God and obedience towards Him. For they exemplified (and maybe even learned) patience while suffering. For truly only those who endure are blessed. And so just as the just and blameless man Job was put under a severe and lasting trial of fire to purify his person and faith, so we should not think it strange when we have too undergo our own (1 Peter 4:12-19). For truly as the Apostle James notes the Lord is very compassionate and merciful; blessing both Job's latter end with twice as much as he ever had before (Job 42:12-17). Therefore always have strong confidence in whatever the Lord permits in our lives, He does so with the goal of working out for us, and in us, a far greater and more glorious future with Himself.
Finally the Apostle James warns about the swearing by either heaven or earth or any such oath (vs. 12). For if a man cannot be taken at his word, then he should not be believed regarding anything. For swearing of oaths, or swearing on the Bible gives validity to nothing. Therefore as Jesus commands, and the Apostle James reiterates here let your "Yes," be "Yes" and your "No", "No", unless you fall into judgment. For truly anything more than these is from the evil one (Matt 5:37). 

Scripture Citations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982


Additional Resources Consulted
Believers Bible Commentary

Saturday, April 19, 2014

James 5:1–6

1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! 2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. 4 Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. 5 You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you.

Commentary
Vs. 1-3 The Apostle James in continuing his reprimand that began in 4:13, here sets out to shatter every false confidence that those who are living in opulence, arrogance and greed may have about having a peaceful eternity. It is then a message of meant to shaken the wealthy and affluent out of their arrogant complacency (consider Rev 3:17-20). And so like the prophets of old too whom similar messages first came (consider Isaiah 1:21-26; 2:10-12; 3:13-26; 32:9-11; Jeremiah 5:26-31; 17:11; 22:13-17; Zephaniah 3:1-5; Habakkuk 2:5-17; Micah 2:1-5, 11; 6:9-14; 7:1-4 etc.). The Apostle James likewise regards neither their person, nor their wealth, nor their "stature" in this world, in delivering his strongest denunciation yet in his epistle.
And so instead of commending the rich for the abundance of everything that they have acquired for and laid up for themselves. The Apostle James here calls the rich to weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon them (vs. 1). Saying their riches are corrupted (literally rotted) and their garments are moth eaten (vs.2). Thus neither their wealth, nor their fine apparel will be able to deliver their souls in the day of God's wrath (consider Psalm 49:6-9). And so their once gorgeous apparel that they arrayed themselves with, has been reduced to nothing more than moth eaten rags at the Judgment seat of Christ. In contrast, those who trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ, no matter how poorly clothed in this life, will be magnificently arrayed in everlasting rich robes which He Himself will provide for us all who believe in Him (consider Zechariah 3:1-5, vs. 4; Rev 3:18; 7:9; 19:14). And so all their luxury and splendor that they themselves once lived in, and outward grandeur that they adorned themselves with, will utterly fail them in the Day of the Lord. Those once cherished riches that they themselves so fiercely pursued and so strongly defended and thus trusted in (antithesis Job 31:24-25, 28; Psalm 71:5; Jeremiah 17:17), have only become corroded. And there corrosion, "...will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire." vs. 3 

Therefore neither their wealth nor their fine apparel will bring them into God's favor when they stand before Him to be judged by Him. Instead these will be a witness against them, because instead of honoring God with their abundance which He gave them, or relived the miseries of the poor which He also commands of us all (Deut. 15:11) they only sought their own pleasures and gain, nothing more (Luke 16:9-13; 19-31). And so in their relentlessly acquiring and hoarding wealth, and living in all manner of greedy opulence, they only denied God above. Therefore all that they have acquired for themselves will only be a witness against them at the finial judgment. Indeed, even their fine apparel will, as the Apostle James says here, eat their flesh like fire, when God who is a consuming fire judges them. For living in and justifying all manner of greed and covetousness they only made an open mockery of God's commandments. Therefore the rich here are not those rich which the Apostle Paul commands to be "rich in good works, ready to give willing to share" (see 1 Tim 6:17-19). No these are those whose "god" is their riches, and whose appetite for their riches (like Satan's) is never satisfied. Indeed their desire for it is like death that knows no end, or the grave that can never be "filled up" (consider Prov 27:20; Habakkuk 2:5). And so they spend their lives in their greedy pursuits and super-abundance, living lives of self-indulgent opulence, all the while being knowingly indifferent to the many legitimate needs all around them. Therefore neither their wealth, nor their finely set apparel will bring them into God's favor at His Judgment. Instead all of their hoarded abundance of what they once so cherished, will only be a witness against them, before God repays them for all their self-indulgence, extravagance, and endless greed which they had pleasure in.

Now that the Apostle James say's that they have "heaped up treasure in the last days" (vs. 3) is not condemning those who have bank accounts, or in Canada  RRSP's, or similar saving devices by which people prepare for their, or their children's future's, or elderly years, or retirement etc. No James is here condemning the heaping up of wealth, and thus of having ones heart greedily fixed on it as ones treasure, and not the Kingdom of heaven (consider Matt 13:44). Therefore we must always remember Jesus' commandment to first lay up our treasures in heaven, since these other "savings devices" are suspect to failure, and will only rob us of eternal riches if we ignore Jesus' commandment to lay up our treasures in heaven here and now (see Matt 6:19-24). Which is something we all can do, regardless of our income status. For it's not the amount given, it's the proportion to what one has, that one gives, that will be repaid (consider Luke 6:38; 21:1-4). Therefore don't hoard the wealth which God has given you. Instead use it (as it seems good to you, 2 Cor 9:7-9) for good now while you can. Because God will not credit it to your heavenly account after you are gone. And so the Apostle James has strong condemnation against the rich for heaping up their treasures in these last days, because the urgency of the Gospel demands that we channel our energies and God given resources and talents into it's furtherance. For that is why we are here, and the church exists, to be His witnesses and workers of what the Lord Jesus Christ has done for us all.

Vs. 4-5 4 Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. 5 You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you.

In continuing his rebuke as to why miseries are coming upon the rich, the Apostle James here lays out more charges against their unrighteous deeds. Previously he charged them with heaping up treasures in the last days, a time which began with the crucifixion death then resurrection from the dead of the Lord Jesus Christ and will conclude when the Lord Jesus Christ returns for the His bride the church before, He executes God's wrath on the unbelieving and unrepentant world (Isaiah 66:16). The interim then being referred to as the last days when ungodliness and unrighteousness will reach it's zenith on the earth, culminating with the appearing of the lawless one before the Lord's return (Acts 2:17-21; 2 Thess. 2; 2 Tim 3:1-5; Heb. 1:2; 2 Peter 3:3-9). And that is why repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ must be preached to all here and now, so that all have opportunity to repent and believe before the Lord's return and the doors to the Kingdom of heaven are shut forever (Matt 24:14). For the Lord Jesus Christ will upon His return both destroy the lawless one (2 Thess. 2:8), before gathering all who believe Him to Himself. And then He will judge all peoples and nations (Matt 25:31-46) before passing an everlasting verdict on them (Rev. 20:11-15).
Therefore to be living a greedy and self indulgent existence, is only to be storing up great wrath on oneself (vs. 5). And so here the Apostle James in rebuking such, also charges them with robing their laborers, of keeping back their wages by fraud (vs. 4). Something that God, who is a God of justice not only condemns in the Scriptures, but always executes His fierce wrath on (consider Lev 19:13; Isaiah 58:3-12; Jeremiah 22:11-23 etc.). And so though the rich may be indifferent to their laborers cries for justice, equity, and fairness, the Lord surely isn't. And that is why the Apostle James calls Jesus Christ the Lord of Sabaoth, because the Lord Jesus Christ is not only the Lord of Justice (Isaiah 30:18), but also the Lord of Sabaoth, that is Jesus as Lord brings rest and refreshing (Matt 11:28-30). And yet the rich who were entrusted with much from God instead of causing the weary to rest, as Jesus does, only laid heavy burdens on them. Demanding in their insatiable appetites for more and more maximum work for minimum pay. Indeed not content to poorly pay those whose labors take care of them and cause them to rest. They went so far (when it was possible for them) too not only exploit their employees, but also rob them of their wages by fraud! Something that the most dastardly amongst them will even enshrine for themselves in law (consider Isaiah 11:1-5). And so in an escalating crescendo of condemnation against them, the Apostle James concludes by saying of them: "You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you." vs. 6
That the Apostle James says that they have condemned, that they have murdered the just is literal, of having someone not deserving of death sentenced to death, and thus in effect committing murder. Something that the rich and powerful in Israel did also to the Lord Jesus Christ using their influence to sway Pilate to not only sentence Jesus to crucifixion death, but the chief priests also stirred the people up so that they asked for Barabbas, when Pilate wanted to release to them Jesus instead.

 Scripture Citations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982
 

Friday, April 11, 2014

James 4:13-17

13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; 14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” 16 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

Commentary
The Apostle James now turns his attention to those who in their self-sufficient pride make boastful assumptions about what they will do, and what they will achieve. And thus in doing so forget that it is God who brings (or takes away) all "good fortune" or success that we have in our lives. For as Jesus Himself warned in His parable of the rich fool. No-one who lives in prosperity and forgets about God should presume upon anything, much less ones own life (see Luke 12:13-21). And so that is what is being cautioned against here. That self-sufficient pride within individuals which boastfully makes its own plans, and then presumes upon fulfilling them. All the while never considering that ones life is, as the Apostle James says here, as transient as a vapor, appearing for a little time before it vanishes away (vs. 14, also consider Prov. 27:1). And so instead of being like that, the Apostle James says one ought to say, "if the Lord will's, we shall live and do this or that" (vs. 15).
For in making boastful assumptions about dwelling in a certain city for a year or so, and there making profit for themselves, is as the Apostle James says here, evil. Evil because it is an open denial of God's Sovereignty in the affairs of this world, as well as ones own life. And so here the Apostle James rebukes all such arrogant boasting and presumptions, not the Christian who seeks to make and do honest business, wherever they may seek to do that, the Lord willing. Just the Christian who thinks that they are some sort of independent entity in their pursuits and affairs in this life. For if one seeks to do the Lord's will, and seeks His guidance in their affairs in this life, they can be quite confident in what they are pursuing and doing. Especially if they are pursuing the riches of Christ (2 Cor 5:15). "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin." vs. 17

Thus the Apostle James give us here a principal that applies not only here, but also in every aspect of our lives. Like the principal of faith that says, "whatever is not from faith is sin" (see Rom. 14:23). So here we have a Spirit principal that states, if we do not do the good that we know we should do, then that is sin to us. Thus in the New Covenant it's not "the letter" of the Law which would require innumerable statues to be written (and re-written) for every possible situation and circumstance that a believer may encounter. Rather it is being Spirit led (that is living in accord with the fruits of the Spirit of God, Gal 5:22-23) which is to be supreme in governing ones life and affairs.

For the Law of God having been placed in our consciences, and given to us through God's Word, we all know at a rudimentary level what is morally right, sound, and just, and what is not. That is we all start out with that basic understanding from God. And so no-one is with excuse who chooses to reject God, harden their hearts towards Him, and live according to their own ungodly lusts and desires (Rom 1:18-32). Especially now after God has given us the Gospel of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ by which both our redemption and regeneration comes to us from God. For the Lord Jesus Christ having suffered crucifixion death too make atonement for all our sins. He is now freely offering life, liberty and cleansing from all sins, for everyone who repents and believes in Him (Mark 1:15; John 3:16, 10:9-10). Therefore if you have not yet tasted that the Lord is gracious, that He is the One to whom release from sin and death, and new and everlasting life come to one and to all who believe in Him. Then I urge you please receive the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart and life while you can. For that's all it takes, faith that believes that God loves you and sent His Son Jesus Christ to suffer crucifixion death for you, so that your sin debt having been paid in full, He can now both heal you, and restore you too God Himself, when you call upon Him in truth (Rom 10:9-10, 13).
Therefore if you have not yet done that, opening your heart to God through Jesus Christ, then please do that. Make that life changing, soul saving and satisfying decision that will keep you in God's perfect peace, because you believe and received the love of the truth for yourself. For life abundant and everlasting is waiting for you to receive it too yourself (John 1:12; Rev. 3:20). Simply pray something like this inviting the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart and life, too be your Lord and Savior. Dear Lord Jesus I believe that You were crucified for me, so that God could save me from my sins and eternal death and give me new and everlasting life with Yourself. Therefore I now invite You into my heart and life, to be my Lord Savior, in Your Name Lord Jesus, amen.

 Scripture Citations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982

Monday, April 7, 2014

James 4:11–12

11 Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. 12 There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another? 

Commentary
If there is one sin that is so destructive, and yet is so often passed over amongst believers, it has to be speaking evil of ones brethren. And so here the Apostle James knowing peoples propensity to speak evil of others; for a myriad of reasons; seeks to bring an end to it all. At least amongst us all who are called, or call ourselves Christ's. For not only does it do harm to the individual. For just as fights and wars begin within ones own heart, so the abuse of others begins with ones mouth. It lays a groundwork by which Satan, called in the Bible the accuser of the brethren, and or the slanderer, can practice his destructive works and words amongst the people of God. And so if we are going too submit to God and resist the devil, so that God dwells amongst us and Satan flees from us, we are going to have to put away from ourselves personally, and our congregations collectively, all the evil speaking (whether done "privately" or openly) that has not only forwarded our brethren's harm, (whether knowingly or unwittingly) but has also done great harm to Word of God, of which we are all to be subject. And so what is at stake here is not only our witness personally, and or collectively, but more importantly our obedience and subjection too the Word of God. For that alone makes for peace and edification and unity and love flourish and grow amongst brethren. And so having at the start of this chapter rebuked our unfaithfulness to God, here the Apostle James rebukes our unfaithfulness to each other. For truly as the Scripture says: "love does no harm to another therefore love is fulfillment of the law." Rom 13:10
And so the subject of not speaking evil of one another is not just a matter of neighborly love, it is as the Apostle James reiterates here, a matter of Law. For it is by the Law that the obedient people of God are revealed, and those who are otherwise are exposed (1 Tim 1:8-11). Therefore to speak evil of ones brethren and judge ones brethren, is not only discordant with loving them as Jesus Commands us. But it is to exalt oneself above both the Law of God and the Giver of it! And thus is an act of utter arrogance and self assuredness. For it is God alone who is both Lawgiver and Judge. Therefore who are you to speak evil of or judge another believer? For to malign or vilify another believers person or character, whom the Lord has justified (Rom. 8:33-34) is not only to act as a judge of ones brother or sister in the Lord, but it is to exalt oneself as a judge of the Law of God itself! Which is a very perilous thing to do. Because there is only one Lawgiver and Judge, God, of whom we are all too be subject, and to whom we shall give an account of ourselves too (consider Rom 14:4, 10-12). For it by His Word that God will judge all flesh (Joel 2:11). And so we need passages like this as correction markers for us as we journey homeward on this narrow road. Because throughout the Bible speaking evil of ones brethren is not only outright disobedience to the Word of God; it is a sign of rebellion, wickedness, and or outright unbelief (consider Luke 6:45). Therefore, though God's people are often subjected too such evil, we are not to be participants in such evil (consider Num. 12:1-16; Psalm 15:1-5, vs. 3; Ps. 31:13-18; 35:11; Ps. 38:12; 41:4-6; Ps. 50:20-22; Ps. 52:1-9, vs. 4; Ps. 69:1-36, vs.12; Ps. 71:1-24, vs. 24; Ps. 101:5; Ps. 109:3, 16-20; 140:1-3; Prov. 6:19; 10:18; 11:19; 18:8; Jer. 6:28; Ezek. 22:9; Matt 5:11-12; 12:36; 1 Cor. 4:13; 1 Cor. 6:10; 2 Cor. 12:20; 1 Tim 3:11; Titus 3:1-2; 1 Peter 1:12; 4:4; 2 Peter 2:9-11; Jude 8-11).


Scripture Citations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982

Word Studies
speak evil, katalaleō vb.: Str 2635; GK 2895; TDNT 4.3; TDNTA ; LN 33.387 (James 3:113x; 1 Peter 2:12; 3:16) 5x Literally means to speak against, (i.e. speak evil of), to slander. In James it is used as one who stands as an accuser of their brethren, and thus sadly aligns themselves with Satan when they do (consider Rev 12:10).


Thursday, April 3, 2014

James 4:1–10

1 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. 4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? 6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Commentary
Vs. 1  Having presented to us the path to true wisdom and peace in James 3:13-18. The Apostle James here exposes the carnal and selfish nature of mankind, and just what it accomplishes. Indeed here the Apostle James is calling carnal Christians everywhere to account. For he says, "Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?" Vs. 1
Thus the serious strife and infighting in churches and amongst brethren, all which takes a devastating toll on Christian unity and love have an origin, and that origin is within oneself, not someone else. Originating from your desires for pleasure that war within your members. And so when these are left unchecked they unleash all manner of carnage amongst brethren. That is the point that the Apostle James is making when he says where do "fights and wars come from amongst you." Not that believers literally physically fight each other, or are in armed conflict with each other, rather the spirit of hostility that exists in these kinds of conflicts, can likewise creep into the house of faith if brethren let themselves be led astray by their own carnal natures desires. Now the word translated pleasure here is the word from which we get the English word "hedonism." In the N.T. it is always set forth as the antithesis to Godly living or being loyal too God and His Word. Indeed the two are incompatible, for one cannot be a friend of this world, this age, and thus this worlds self willed pursuits and values and be a friend of God (James 4:4). The TDNTA says of hēdonḗ that: "In the NT hēdonḗ is one of the many forces of unsanctified carnality that work against God and drag us back into evil."
And so when believers yield themselves to their sinful desires for pleasure that war within their members, rather than being led by the Spirit of God, the self-willed life takes over, and thus all manner of carnage follows (consider again James 3:13-15). Thus the adulterer will justify their ruining their own, or another's person marriage to satisfy their own "lusts" or desires to meet a "need" in their life. The person who is driven by an insatiable lust for more will justify all manner of evil and injustice, to accomplish their own self-willed ambitions and ends. The materialistic person will likewise justify their self-centered living and greed by saying too themselves they've earned it. The sensual person will make licentious living their "god" and will inevitably become an agent by which true sexuality and healthy expressions of it become distorted, pornographic.
And so here these kinds of desires are not Godly, but rather these are the desires of the flesh that belong to the lower nature (see Gal 5:19-21). And so instead of being led by the Spirit of God (see Gal. 5:16-18, 22-23), one who yields their person and life to them, is not living freely and abundantly In Christ. But rather is only being led astray by their own desires that belong to the sphere of the earthly, sensual, demonic "wisdom" that the Apostle condemned earlier (see James 3:13-18). For too be led astray by ones "desires for pleasure" is only to be an agent through which Satan works his works in this world, and thus stands juxtaposed to being a lover of God (2 Tim 3:4). 

Vs. 2-3 2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

And so here again we see the life that is being lived devoid of the love and peace of God. There is no contentment, their is no joy, there is just striving for more. More of what others have but they themselves do not yet possess. And so they lust, and yet they do not have, they murder and covet, and yet cannot attain (attain to anything that satisfies them). And so in their hearts they murder (i.e. deeply hate, consider 1 John 3:15), those who excel them. And so they only fight and war with those who have what they want, or whom they deem a threat too their gaining what they want. Thus they are driven alright, but not by love, but by their godless desires for more and more. More and more preeminence (being first and foremost), more and more pleasure, more and more wealth, more and more (you name it). And yet in all their striving for "more and more" they never ask God, nor seek God. And if they do ask God, they only ask amiss, that they may spend it on their pleasures. And so they receive nothing from God, because their whole focus is wrong. Its not on Jesus Christ and His Kingdom's values and pursuits, it's only on gratifying their own lusts, pleasures, and desires for more and more. And so their whole life is inherently at odds with God, because their life is not Kingdom orientated, but self orientated, orientated towards gratifying oneself is their supreme ideology.

Vs. 4 4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

And so here in rebuking their unfaithfulness to God the Apostle James calls them adulterers and adulteresses! A frequent censure used by God in the prophets in rebuking the Israelites for their unfaithfulness to Him, though a literal interpretation is not unreasonable given the context (consider 2 Cor 12:21). And so these are strong words for sure, but no less strong then how wrong they themselves were then living. And so too awaken them to their need to repent, the Apostle James does not pass over their hedonistic living under the guise that everyone in church is "fine" because were all under grace. For the grace of God is not a universal thing, it's only imputed to those who repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ through the Gospel. For the grace of God has in every generation those who would turn it into a license for licentiousness, excess and sin. Indeed throughout the N.T. that is the mark of false apostles, false prophets, false teachers, false brethren (consider Matt. 7:15-20; Rom 16:17; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; 2 Cor 11:13-15; 13:20-22; Eph. 5:1-7; Phil 3:18-19; 1 Tim 6:5-10; Peter 2:1-22; Jude; 1 John 2:15-17 etc.).

Now if that was all the Apostle James wrote then there would be no hope, however because of what is too come there is hope for everyone who heeds the Apostle's rebuke. Hope that through their repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ He will come into their lives and change them. Cleansing them of all their sins through His shed blood, and making them by His Spirit, new creations In Christ. For not until the soul is reborn and thus brought to life by faith in Jesus Christ. does a person truly change, and begin the process of change. For it is then God who changes them from the inside out. And so the Apostle James is making a fervent appeal for their repentance; calling them away from their lives and lifestyles by which they have aligned themselves with this world, and the god of it. So that God's sanctifying work might take root in them.

Vs. 5-6 5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? 6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

That the Holy Spirit yearns jealousy for our affections means He wants us also to be loyal to Him, not to the sinful desires and passions of the flesh. Therefore God gives more grace to those who seek Him and want to be changed, and thus transformed by Him. But too those who are self-willed and obstinate, refusing either their guilt or His rebuke, the Scripture says God resists them, that is God resists the proud who oppose Him, or His will for them.

Vs. 7-10 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. 

And so the Apostle James says we must first submit to God. That means we must be willing too listen to Him and obey Him through His Son Jesus Christ. A simple formula to live a life that God will make both fruitful and meaningful. And thus satisfying, because it is one that is living in God's Will for them. Then the Apostle James says we must resist the devil, for only then he will flee from us. Thus both are needed, both submission to God, then resisting the devil. Divorce one from the other and it's likely not to work to well. Do both though and success is all but guaranteed. And so in submitting to God one then must resist the devil. Resist his temptations, resist his person, resist all that is him, or from him. For one should not expect any help from God unless ones is willing to turn completely from the powers of darkness to light (See Acts 26:18). And so in submitting to God, get sin and Satan out of your life by resisting them. And that is what the Apostle James is laying out here in these verses. Just how to do that. And so James says in verse eight "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Thus the first move begins with us, by our drawing near to God, God draws near to us. And so God often waits for the bad choices that we have made, and the negative consequences that they generate in our lives, to bring about a change of heart within us, so that through these we will come to our senses and seek Him (consider Luke 15:11-32). For when we seek Him with all our hearts, we will find Him (Deut. 4:29). Find Him lovingly and longingly restoring us back too Himself again. And that is why James first says, "draw near to God, and He will draw near to you..." For again unless a person is willing to draw near to God, (that is open their hearts to God) God will not draw near to them. For truly Jesus is drawing all people too Himself, so that whoever believes in Him, regardless of what they have done they might be cleansed of all their sins and given new and everlasting life with Him. Therefore in drawing near to God we must do this through repentance and faith; that is we must have a change of mind about ourselves (and possibly even about God Himself) which then leads to us making some radical changes in our lives. But if were unwilling to change, then we should expect nothing more from God. And so the Apostle James goes on to say, "...Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. Vs 8-10

Thus in a kind of a reverse order as to how sin and Satan usually gets a foothold in ones life, first being entertained in the heart and mind, before being taken up in ones hands. Here we are to first cleanse our hands, which means putting away all evil from ones life. For that is the first step in seeking God. Which entails putting away all the sinful things and sinful attitudes that have become accepted or "acceptable" in our lives. For as one walks in this world, it's highly unlikely that one will not have "pick up" some of this world's values and things that should have no place in a sanctified life. And so step one in seeking God is to first cleanse one's hands (i.e. life) of those things that are outright wrong or sinful in the sight of God. That said, the Apostle James then goes on to say: "purify your hearts, you double-minded." For as David said in seeking God, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear." Ps. 66:18
And so having confessed and put away all known sin from ones life, i.e. "cleansed ones hands"  one must also put it out of their heart. For you cannot be double-minded with God. That is you cannot seek Him and His mercies while still harboring your sins and iniquities within your heart. Thus we are not to be double-minded with God. For God is the God of knowledge and by Him actions are weighed (consider 1 Sam. 2:3; 1 Chr. 28:9). And thus we are to seek God in faith. Otherwise we should expect nothing from Him. Therefore don't be double minded about God's Person or His dealings with you. Instead believe that God loves you and wants the best for you. Which must hasten your getting radically right with Him. For unless you take your sins seriously, it's highly unlikely that God will take your prayers for His intercession and pardoning mercies seriously! For God always resists the proud, that is those who are unrepentant and indifferent to God's Word or Will for them. And so they remain unmoved by Him. But for those who fear God, and tremble at His Word (Isaiah 66:2), and thus humble themselves before Him, God hears (consider Lev. 26:40-42; 1 Kings 21:27-29; 2 Chr. 12:5-8, 12; 2 Chr. 32:24-26; 2 Chr. 33:10-13; 2 Chr. 34:14-28; Isaiah 66:2; antithesis Jeremiah 5:22-31; 44:1-30, vs.10). For God always hears the humble sinner who in truth seeks Him, but the proud He knows from afar (Psalm 138:6). For God will never despise the contrite in heart (Ps. 51:17). Indeed Jesus says it is the poor in spirit who are heirs of God's Kingdom, not the proud in spirit (Matt 5:3). And so those who see their need for Him, and humble themselves before Him, will find God's grace and mercies poured out on them (consider Luke 18:9-14). Therefore the Apostle James is urging us all here to: 6 Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:6–7

And so the choice is ours, either to seek God in reverence and humility so that God might be justified in lifting us up out of our sins, transgressions and miseries and restoring us back to Himself. Or too carry on in ones wayward path, which only leads to ones own eternal destruction and ruin (consider Matt. 7:13-14). And so this is not self imposed austerity, as if by self impoverishment one makes peace with God for themselves. Rather this is seeking God and His mercies by getting radically right with God (2 Chr. 7:14; Prov. 16:6). For only then can we lay claim to God's promised mercies and help for us all who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord (consider Psalm 103:11-14).


Scripture Citations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982

Word Studies
Vs. 1 War (1st occurrence) Str 4171; GK 4483; TDNT 6.502; TDNTA 904; LN 39.26; 55.5; This word is most frequently used to describe literal armed conflict. It's use in James 4:1 takes on a metaphoric value to describe the severe strife and infighting that comes from being carnally minded, and or carnal living. N.T. usages: (Matt 24:6 (2x); Mark 13:7 (2x); Luke 14:31; 21:9; 1 Cor 14:18; Heb. 11:34; James 4:1; Rev 9:7, 9; 11:7; 12:7, 17; 13:7; 16:14; 19:19; 20:8) 18x
War (2nd occurrence) Str 4754; GK 5129; TDNT 7.701; TDNTA ; LN 55.4; 55.18 This word is most frequently used in the N.T. to described the Christians battle with the flesh and or the (Luke 3:14 soldiers; 1 Cor. 9:7 war; 2 Cor 10:3 war; 1 Tim 1:18 wage the good warfare; 2 Tim 2:4 warfare; James 4:1 war; 1 Peter 2:11 war) 7x

Fights (máchē) Str 3163; GK 3480; TDNT 4.527; TDNTA 573; LN 39.23 (2 Cor 7:5 conflicts; 2 Tim. 2:23 strife; Titus 3:9 strivings; James 4:1 fights) 4x
In the Septuagint O.T. this word is primarily used of physical combat; especially of a military kind (TDNTA). In the N.T. however this word (and it's word group) largely indicate serious conflicts and strife of a verbal nature (see John 6:52 "quarreled"; 2 Tim 2:23 "strife"; 2 Tim 2:24 "quarrel"; Titus 3:9 "strivings"; James 4:1 "fights"; James 4:2 "fight"), exceptions being in Acts 7:26 where it is rendered "fighting" to describe men engaged in physical conflict, and 2 Cor 7:5 where the TDNTA believes the Apostle Paul likely is using it there to describe the physical threats he frequently faced.

As well and unique in the N.T. is Acts 5:39 where "fighting" with God is counseled against by Gamaliel to the Sanhedrin counsel, who were wanting to kill the Apostles for their rebuking them for their rejecting and ultimately orchestrating the crucifixion death of the Lord Jesus Christ (see Acts 5:26-42). And so the word indicates to be at very sharp odds with another, even to the point of wanting to do physical harm (though context would indicate whether that level of intensity applies). Nonetheless all such fighting or quarrelling is contrary too healthy Christian living and our communities. Therefore inside of the house of faith we must all take care not to strive with each other over doubtful and non-essential things (2 Tim 2:23). Or when presenting the Gospel of peace not to be reduced to severe and bitter arguments with an opponent or "adversary", since no one is ever argued into the Kingdom of God (2 Tim 2:24). Same when discussing issues of Old Covenant Law that for us are already settled. We should not allow ourselves to be drawn into useless debates and needless strife with those who are contentious, speculative, or simply have rejected the grace of God for themselves (Titus 3:9). Finally this word is not used in the N.T. to describe a believers battles with the flesh, or our fighting the good fight of faith (1 Tim 6:12) or contending for the Gospel (Jude 5); or various other Spiritual warfare issues, for that see:
agon  Str 73; GK 74; TDNT 1.135; TDNTA ; LN 39.29; 50.4 (Phil. 1:30; Col. 2:1; 1 Thess. 2:2; 1 Tim 6:12; 2 Tim 4:7; Heb 12:1) 6x
agonizomai Str 75; GK 76; TDNT 1.135; TDNTA 339; LN 50.1; 68.74; verb form of agon, (see Luke 13:24 "strive"; John 18:36 "fight"; 1 Cor 9:25 "competes"; Col 1:29 "striving"; Col 4:12 "laboring"; 1 Tim 6:12 "fight" 2x; 2 Tim 4:7 "fought") 7x
katagonizomai Str 2610 aorist verb form of agon Heb 11:33 "subdued"
antagonizomai Str 464, present tense verb of agon, Heb 12:4 "striving"
epagonizomai Str 1864, present tense verb of agon, Jude 3 "to contend"

athleo, vb. (Str 118) 2 Tim 2:5 "competes"
synatheleo vb. (Str 4866) Phil 1:27 "striving"; Phil 4:3 "labored"
athelesis (Str 119) Heb 10:32 struggle


Vs. 2 lust (epithymeō) vb., Str 1937; GK 2121; TDNT 3.168; TDNTA ; LN 25.12; 25.20