James 4

James 4:1

From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

But, while I speak of righteousness and peace, I perceive there is just cause to complain of unquiet broils and injustice: for, from whence are those wars and brawlings and unchristian quarrels amongst you, but from your own unruly and inordinate lusts and desires? if they did not fight against grace in your bosoms, ye would not be so apt to fight with each other.

James 4:2

Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

Ye long after others’ commodities, and go without them: ye are rancorously and murderously affected to each other, in an envious desire of what is theirs, and cannot obtain it: ye quarrel and strive one with another, and carry not away that which ye sue for: and, whereas ye should crave of God what ye want, ye have it not, because ye ask it not.

James 4:3

Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

And if ye do ask, ye receive not, because ye ask amiss: either begging unmeet things; or slightly and heartlessly wishing things fit to be asked; or calling for them upon a wrong ground, and to a wrong purpose; namely, not desiring them for the glory of God, and the good of others, but only to spend it upon your own intemperate lusts and pleasures.

James 4:4

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

O ye vain men, that are thus palpably corrupted with the love of the world, having formerly plighted your troths to God; do ye not know and consider, that there is such a discord betwixt God and the world, that ye cannot possibly affect both; that so much love as ye bear unto the world, so much hatred ye incur with God? Whosoever, therefore, will be a devoted friend to the world, is, in so being, a very enemy to God.

James 4:5

Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

This the Scripture beateth upon, every where: and do ye think it speaketh thus in vain? Certainly, every word thereof is to excellent purpose, and shall be truly verified upon us. Doth, then, that Spirit of God, which we profess to have dwelling in us, lust after envy, and envy the good things of others?

James 4:6

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Surely no: so far is he from that, as that he giveth more grace where he hath given some already: wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.

James 4:8

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Ye are naturally aloof from God, in your corrupt affections: now labour ye with your hearts, to draw them near unto God, in your holy desires; and he shall draw nigh to you, in a gracious condescent and approbation.

James 4:11

Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

The Law of God requires at our hands a reverent and loving respect to our brother, and forbids us any evil speeches or rash judgments concerning him; so as we cannot revile or unjustly censure our brother, but we make head against the Law, and offer an open affront thereunto, in charging it with injustice: and if we do thus censure and charge the Law, we are far from being the doers of the Law, but presumptuously take upon us to be the judges and condemners of the Law.

James 4:12

There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

It is God alone, who, as he was the Maker and Author of the Law, so is he the just and powerful Judge of the violation of his Law; having, in his own Almighty Hands, the power and liberty both to save and to destroy: who art thou therefore, that darest to pass thy judgment upon another, since he is only reserved to the Tribunal of God?

James 4:16

But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

But now, your hearts are lifted up with the over-valuing conceits of this earthly prosperity, and are immoderately affected therewith: these are not the things, that are fit for you to set your hearts upon: all such transportations with worldly delights or confidences are evil.

James 4:17

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

And, howsoever others, that are ignorant of better things, may be carried away with the admiration of these vanities, yet it were a great shame and sin, for you, who have been well informed of heavenly and spiritual matters, to dote upon these transitory commodities or pleasures: in such case, your very knowledge of better would be an aggravation, both of your sin and judgment.