A few weeks ago we considered the first part of this chapter…..how we quarrel with each other, what the battles are - they come from inside us. Last week we went on to the end of the chapter - today we're looking at the middle of it.
Look at this under the heading 'War with God'.
The root cause of any war - internal or external - is rebellion. Films such as The Patriot, The Last Samurai, Braveheart…...all because of the need to rebel. Mostly against the system, the governing forces, injustices, corruption etc. But then there are the battles between people relationship breakdowns, family feuds.
Not what we were created to be like. Creation - harmony, unity, relationship with God.
Sin enters the world - conflict comes. Sin is lawlessness and sin is rebellion against God.
How does a believer declare war against God?
By being friendly with God's enemies .What/Who are God's enemies? James names three
1. The World (v 4)... human society apart from God. Today's world is anti-God e.g: Media messages. Where we have a foot in 2 camps.
Friendship with world is likened to Adultery. If we are married to Christ (bride) we are called to be faithful to Him. Prophets of old constant message!
2. The Flesh - by this meant the old sinful nature that is prone to sin.
The flesh is not the body. The body is NOT sinful - it is NEUTRAL. We can use our body to glorify God or serve sin. Battle - old & new nature. Fight against Holy Spirit (jealousy).
3. The Devil - fights against Jesus. Pride is Satan's great sin. And its one of his chief weapons against us and Jesus.
- God wants us to be people of humility; Satan wants us to be proud.
- God wants us to depend upon Him; Satan wants us to depend upon ourselves.
- Satan is the author of all lies, Jesus is The Truth.
There will be battles if there is any area in our lives kept back from God.
We give footholds to the devil...through fear, guilt, shame, unforgiveness and pride. Pride is an issue in the church today. We have too many super stars, not enough servants. Envy, as James says, sets in. When we come to Christ we are given a new heart and a new spirit. And the enemy does his worst to try to keep us from walking in truth.
Then James gives us 3 instructions to follow if we would enjoy peace and not war.
1. Submit to God...surrendered will. It's a military term that means, "GET INTO YOUR PROPER RANK". When private acts like the general, there will be trouble. Unconditional surrender is what is needed.
The way to resist the devil is to submit to God.
King David, through adultery, created war between him and God. Read Psalm 51 or 32 to discover the high price David paid to be at war with God. When he finally submitted to God - he experienced peace and joy.
Submission is an act of will. How? By confession of sins, asking for cleansing…..purity of heart…...have an undivided heart.
2. Draw near to God
A W Tozer wrote an article 'Nearness is Likeness'. The more we are like God the closer we get to Him. God draws near to us through the Holy Spirit.
3. Humble Yourself
4. We have a tendency to treat sin lightly. Sin is serious.
Psalm 51 v 17 'A broken heart and a contrite spirit you will not despise.'
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Introduction To James
'When life hands you a lemon, make lemonade'
The healing church and the call to worship
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