James 4
BSB1 What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you? 2 You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures. 4 You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think the Scripture says without reason that the Spirit He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy? 6 But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." 7 Submit yourselves, then, 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 Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you. 11 Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. And if you judge the law, you are not a practitioner of the law, but a judge of it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? 13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit." 14 You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that." 16 As it is, you boast in your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil. 17 Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.
Study Notes — James 4
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from James 4
- Themes from James 4
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on James 4
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
James chapter 4 begins by addressing the source of quarrels and conflicts among believers, which is the desire for pleasure and the failure to ask God for what they need. The chapter then warns against being friends with the world, which is hatred towards God, and encourages believers to humble themselves before God. It also teaches about the importance of planning and decision-making that is subject to God's will. The chapter concludes by condemning the rich who exploit the poor and warning them of the judgment that is to come. Key verses include James 4:1-3, which discusses the source of conflicts, and James 4:7-10, which encourages believers to submit to God and resist the devil.
Context for the Chapter
James chapter 4 is part of a larger letter that is addressed to Jewish believers who are scattered throughout the Roman Empire. The chapter is a call to these believers to examine their lives and to seek a closer relationship with God. It is also a warning against the dangers of worldliness and the importance of humility and dependence on God. In the larger biblical narrative, this chapter connects to other teachings on humility and dependence on God, such as Psalm 37:7 and Matthew 5:3.
Heart Application
This chapter encourages believers to examine their lives and to seek a closer relationship with God. It calls them to recognize the fleeting nature of life and to seek God's will above their own desires. By applying these teachings, believers can experience a deeper sense of humility and dependence on God, and can live a life that is pleasing to him.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
James chapter 4 is about submitting to God and resisting the devil. It encourages believers to recognize the fleeting nature of life and to seek God's will above their own desires. By humbling themselves and seeking a close relationship with God, believers can experience a deeper sense of humility and dependence on God, and can live a life that is pleasing to him. As seen in James 4:10, humility is key to experiencing God's exaltation and blessing.
Voices from the Church
“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. This is the spirit of humility and dependence on God that is encouraged in James 4.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“We are all inclined to pride and arrogance, but the gospel calls us to humility and dependence on God. This is the message of James 4, which encourages believers to recognize their limitations and to seek God's will above their own desires.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- The Source of Conflicts (James 4:1-3) — The chapter begins by addressing the source of quarrels and conflicts among believers, which is the desire for pleasure and the failure to ask God for what they need.
- The Danger of Worldliness (James 4:4-6) — The chapter warns against being friends with the world, which is hatred towards God. This emphasizes the importance of being separate from the world and seeking a relationship with God that is rooted in love and obedience.
- The Importance of Humility (James 4:7-10) — The chapter emphasizes the importance of humility and dependence on God. This is seen in the encouragement to humble themselves before God and to seek God's will above their own desires.
- Planning and Decision-Making (James 4:11-12) — The chapter teaches about the importance of planning and decision-making that is subject to God's will. This emphasizes the importance of seeking God's guidance and direction in all aspects of life.
- Warning to the Rich (James 4:13-17) — The chapter concludes by condemning the rich who exploit the poor and warning them of the judgment that is to come. This emphasizes the importance of living a life that is just and fair, and of seeking God's will above their own desires.
Core Doctrines
- Humility
- This chapter teaches that humility is a key aspect of the Christian life, and that it involves recognizing one's limitations and seeking God's will above one's own desires.
- Dependence on God
- The chapter emphasizes the importance of dependence on God, and encourages believers to seek a close and intimate relationship with him.
- Resistance to the Devil
- The chapter warns against the enemy of our souls and encourages believers to stand firm against his attacks.
- The Importance of Planning
- The chapter teaches about the importance of planning and decision-making that is subject to God's will, and encourages believers to seek God's guidance and direction in all aspects of life.
Lessons from James 4
- The Importance of Recognizing the Source of Conflicts — The chapter teaches that conflicts often arise from desire and a lack of dependence on God. This emphasizes the importance of recognizing the root causes of conflicts and seeking God's help in resolving them.
- The Danger of Worldliness — The chapter warns against being friends with the world, which is hatred towards God. This emphasizes the importance of being separate from the world and seeking a relationship with God that is rooted in love and obedience.
- The Importance of Humility — The chapter emphasizes the importance of humility and dependence on God. This is seen in the encouragement to humble themselves before God and to seek God's will above their own desires.
- The Importance of Planning and Decision-Making — The chapter teaches about the importance of planning and decision-making that is subject to God's will. This emphasizes the importance of seeking God's guidance and direction in all aspects of life.
- The Warning to the Rich — The chapter concludes by condemning the rich who exploit the poor and warning them of the judgment that is to come. This emphasizes the importance of living a life that is just and fair, and of seeking God's will above their own desires.
Themes from James 4
- Humility — The chapter emphasizes the importance of humility and dependence on God. This is seen in the encouragement to humble themselves before God and to seek God's will above their own desires.
- Dependence on God — The chapter encourages believers to seek a close and intimate relationship with God, and to recognize their limitations and seek God's will above their own desires.
- Resistance to the Devil — The chapter warns against the enemy of our souls and encourages believers to stand firm against his attacks.
- The Importance of Planning — The chapter teaches about the importance of planning and decision-making that is subject to God's will, and encourages believers to seek God's guidance and direction in all aspects of life.
- The Warning to the Rich — The chapter concludes by condemning the rich who exploit the poor and warning them of the judgment that is to come. This emphasizes the importance of living a life that is just and fair, and of seeking God's will above their own desires.
Questions for Meditation
- What are some ways that you can apply the teaching of James 4:10 to your life, and seek to humble yourself before God?
- How can you resist the devil and stand firm against his attacks, as encouraged in James 4:7?
- What are some ways that you can seek to be separate from the world and to live a life that is pleasing to God, as warned against in James 4:4?
- How can you apply the teaching of James 4:11-12 to your planning and decision-making, and seek to subject your plans to God's will?
- What are some ways that you can live a life that is just and fair, and seek to warning of James 4:13-17?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. The Source of Conflicts (James 4:1-3)
| James 4:1 | The chapter begins by addressing the source of quarrels and conflicts among believers, which is the desire for pleasure and the failure to ask God for what they need. |
| James 4:2 | The desire for pleasure and the failure to ask God for what they need leads to conflicts and wars among believers. |
2. The Danger of Worldliness (James 4:4-6)
| James 4:4 | The chapter warns against being friends with the world, which is hatred towards God. This emphasizes the importance of being separate from the world and seeking a relationship with God that is rooted in love and obedience. |
| James 4:5 | The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously, and he has given us greater grace. |
3. The Importance of Humility (James 4:7-10)
| James 4:7 | The chapter encourages believers to submit to God and to resist the devil. This emphasizes the importance of recognizing one's limitations and seeking God's will above one's own desires. |
| James 4:8 | The chapter encourages believers to draw near to God, and to cleanse their hands and purify their hearts. |
| James 4:9 | The chapter encourages believers to be miserable and mourn and weep, and to let their laughter be turned to mourning and their joy to gloom. |
| James 4:10 | The chapter encourages believers to humble themselves before the Lord, and he will exalt them. |
4. Planning and Decision-Making (James 4:11-12)
| James 4:11 | The chapter teaches about the importance of planning and decision-making that is subject to God's will. This emphasizes the importance of seeking God's guidance and direction in all aspects of life. |
| James 4:12 | The chapter warns against speaking evil against one another, and encourages believers to seek to build each other up in love. |
5. Warning to the Rich (James 4:13-17)
| James 4:13 | The chapter warns against boasting about tomorrow, and encourages believers to say if the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that. |
| James 4:14 | The chapter teaches that life is a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes. |
| James 4:15 | The chapter encourages believers to say if the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that. |
| James 4:16 | The chapter warns against boasting and arrogance, and encourages believers to seek to do good and to build each other up in love. |
| James 4:17 | The chapter warns that whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, to him it is sin. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the source of conflicts among believers?
The source of conflicts among believers is the desire for pleasure and the failure to ask God for what they need, as seen in James 4:1-3.
What is the danger of worldliness?
The danger of worldliness is that it is hatred towards God, and it can lead to a life that is separated from God and rooted in selfish desires, as warned against in James 4:4.
What is the importance of humility?
The importance of humility is that it involves recognizing one's limitations and seeking God's will above one's own desires, as encouraged in James 4:7-10.
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | James 4:1 → Galatians 5:17 | The desire for pleasure and the failure to ask God for what they need leads to conflicts and wars among believers, as seen in James 4:1 and Galatians 5:17. |
| 2 | James 4:4 → 1 John 2:15 | The chapter warns against being friends with the world, which is hatred towards God, as seen in James 4:4 and 1 John 2:15. |
| 3 | James 4:7 → 1 Peter 5:6 | The chapter encourages believers to submit to God and to resist the devil, as seen in James 4:7 and 1 Peter 5:6. |
| 4 | James 4:10 → Proverbs 22:4 | The chapter encourages believers to humble themselves before the Lord, and he will exalt them, as seen in James 4:10 and Proverbs 22:4. |
| 5 | James 4:11 → Matthew 7:1 | The chapter teaches about the importance of planning and decision-making that is subject to God's will, and warns against speaking evil against one another, as seen in James 4:11 and Matthew 7:1. |
| 6 | James 4:13 → Proverbs 27:1 | The chapter warns against boasting about tomorrow, and encourages believers to say if the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that, as seen in James 4:13 and Proverbs 27:1. |
| 7 | James 4:14 → Psalm 39:5 | The chapter teaches that life is a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes, as seen in James 4:14 and Psalm 39:5. |
| 8 | James 4:17 → Luke 12:47 | The chapter warns that whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, to him it is sin, as seen in James 4:17 and Luke 12:47. |
| 9 | James 4:7 → Ephesians 6:10 | The chapter encourages believers to submit to God and to resist the devil, as seen in James 4:7 and Ephesians 6:10. |
| 10 | James 4:10 → Isaiah 57:15 | The chapter encourages believers to humble themselves before the Lord, and he will exalt them, as seen in James 4:10 and Isaiah 57:15. |
Sermons on James 4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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A Craving for the Presence - Part 1 by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the importance of craving the presence of the Lord amidst challenging times, highlighting the need to prioritize seeking God's presence over solely relying o |
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A Man of God by Leonard Ravenhill | This sermon reflects on a 70-year journey of faith, witnessing various church tragedies and worldly events, yet remaining steadfast by looking up to Jesus, reading the Word, and fo |
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Reading From the Beatitudes by D.L. Moody | D.L. Moody emphasizes the profound blessings found in the Beatitudes, particularly focusing on the comfort promised to those who mourn and the meek. He explains that mourning signi |
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Humble Thyself by Gbile Akanni | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of humility and avoiding pride in our actions and achievements. He warns against seeking personal glory and attention instead |
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The Great Sin (Reading) by C.S. Lewis | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the issue of pride and conceit in the Christian life. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing our need for repentance and seeking the Lord |
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"Where Are the Praying People?" by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the speaker's strong desire to remain separate from the sinful influences of the world, committing to prayer, Bible reading, and standing against immorality. |
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And They Crucified Him by Art Katz | This sermon emphasizes the need for Christians to embrace the suffering and humility exemplified by the early church in the book of Acts. It challenges believers to confront the av |
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A Day's Journey Into the Wilderness by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power and authority of God. He references the story of Elijah and how God demonstrated His power by consuming the captain and his 50 men |
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(Nicaragua) the Lord Has Promised to Deliver You by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher, who has been preaching for over 54 years, emphasizes the faithfulness of God throughout his ministry. He mentions that he and another pastor, Gary, wi |
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A Powerful Warning - Lest We Forget the Message by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the urgency of taking the Word of God seriously and being prepared for His soon coming. It calls for a return to intimacy with Christ, dependence on God, and |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on James 4
In James chapter 4, the apostle James teaches about the importance of humility and dependence on God. He warns against the dangers of worldliness and the importance of submitting to God and resisting the devil. The chapter also emphasizes the importance of planning and decision-making that is subject to God's will, and warns against boasting and arrogance. As Matthew Henry notes, this chapter is a call to believers to examine their lives and to seek a closer relationship with God, and to recognize the fleeting nature of life and the importance of seeking God's will above their own desires. By applying these teachings, believers can experience a deeper sense of humility and dependence on God, and can live a life that is pleasing to him. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
The Source of Conflicts
The chapter begins by addressing the source of quarrels and conflicts among believers, which is the desire for pleasure and the failure to ask God for what they need. This highlights the importance of recognizing the root causes of conflicts and seeking God's help in resolving them.
The Danger of Worldliness
The chapter warns against being friends with the world, which is hatred towards God. This emphasizes the importance of being separate from the world and seeking a relationship with God that is rooted in love and obedience.
The Importance of Humility
The chapter emphasizes the importance of humility and dependence on God. This is seen in the encouragement to humble themselves before God and to seek God's will above their own desires.