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Friendship With The World – James 4
Friendship With The World – James 4
Two lifestyles are presented at the end of chapter 3.
That which was called ‘earthly, natural, and demonic’ consisted of jealousy, selfish ambition, arrogance, and lies. It produces disorder and every evil thing in the lives of those who live such a lifestyle.
That which was said to come from above consists of that which is pure, peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, and without hypocrisy. It produces the fruits of righteousness and is sown in peace by those who choose to live according to this lifestyle.
The contrast having been presented, James warns in chapter four that those who choose the earthly, natural, and demonic lifestyle make themselves to be the enemies of God. Jesus explained that His disciples were to be in the world but are not to be OF the world. Paul wrote: "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:1–2). He had earlier warned that the mind that is set upon the flesh will die, is hostile towards God, is not subject to the law of God, and cannot please God. In contrast, he wrote that the mind which is set upon the things of the Spirit will enjoy life and peace, is a friend with God, is subject to His law, and pleases Him. (cp. Rom. 8:5-8).
The wisdom from above doesn’t come easily. James writes that we are to resist the devil / draw near to God / wash our hands and purify our hearts / grieve and mourn over our worldly condition / and humble ourselves before God. My observation is that many have deceived themselves into thinking they are friends of God when they are making themselves His enemy by they very life choices they make.
Whether one has been a Christian for a short time or for many years, this separation from the world is to be diligently followed. As James wrote earlier, we are to show our faith by the life we live (cp. 2:18).
It is interesting to me that James does NOT give us a list of wrongdoings but a set of principles. In some ways, we could argue that a list of rules would be easier for us to know if we are doing right or wrong. Love doesn’t always have such rules. Love for God lives by principles.
- Draw near unto God.
- Resist the devil.
- Purify your hearts.
- Grieve and mourn over those areas of life that disappoint God.
- Tear down the haughty arrogant spirit and humble yourself before God.
The lusts of the flesh cannot live in the heart of a person who lives by such principles. The love of God will extinguish all such worldly desire and ambition. How is your friendship with the world?
Hugh DeLong
