Keeping up with the James

The pevious post and this post are journals I wrote some 3 years ago after an indepth study on the Epistle of James. I did the same with Galatians and may post them sometime as well. The reason I am posting the James version is it partly deals with the evilness that is our tongue and since I posted the article on tongues, it encouraged me to include this. Keep in mind though, whether you believe the gift of tongues is still valid today or not, the true measure of a person's spirtuality is not measured by if they speak in tongues, but by how well they control the tongue they have.

James 4
The 4th chapter of James focuses on the struggle between our carnal nature and our spiritual nature. These two natures are constantly at war with one another to have dominion in our day-to-day living. The root cause of this warfare is our fleshly desires that make us covet after things that we can not obtain. This breeds hate which the Bible equates to murder. The reason we don’t have is because we do not ask (4.2). James illustrates and expounds on this warfare by giving seven examples of where this warfare is waged inside of us. I will let each one start with the letter “P”.

The first, and primary area, is in our Prayer life. The Holy Spirit in us yearns to be in constant prayer with God the Father. He is forever making intercession for us and helps us to pray in the Father’s will. In contrast, our carnal nature rarely wants to pray. When we do try to pray in our carnal nature our prayers go unanswered because we pray with selfish and evil motives. “When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen.” (Isaiah 1:15).
Our intention is to use what we obtain for sensual pleasures and not to further the kingdom of God or to serve others (4.3). However, prayer is not telling God what we want to do and having Him sign off on it. Prayer is finding the will of God then plugging into it.

Second, is Preeminence. Our carnal nature loves the things of the world. However, friendship with the world is enmity with God. James uses the metaphor of a bride and groom. The Church is the bride of Christ. As the bride of Christ, we are to be presented pure to the bridegroom, Jesus. Instead of being faithful to God, our carnal nature pulls us towards the world.
James says we are like unfaithful wives having illicit affairs with the world and, therefore, breaking our marriage vows (4.4). “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:2). The Holy Spirit yearns over us and is jealous towards us that we would give ourselves only to God (4.5).

Third, is Pride. Our carnal nature is full of pride and intellect. We are proud that we think we know so much. In contrast, our spiritual nature is meek and humble that we know so little. This attitude of meekness allows God to give us grace and wisdom that can only come from above (4.6). “A man’s pride shall bring him low, but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit”. (Proverbs 29:23)

Fourth is our Piety. Do we reverence the things of this world or God? By adhering to the world through our carnal nature we are giving Satan an open avenue to draw us farther away from the things of God and closer to the lustful desires of the world. In our own strength we can not overcome these desires. This is why it is so important to submit to God. In doing so, God enables us to resist Satan and he will flee (4.7). Standing firm against Satan in our own strength will not cause him to flee. As we draw closer to God, God in turn draws closer to us. However, we must come to God with a repentant spirit acknowledging the fact that we have committed spiritual adultery and need to be cleansed (4.8,9). If we humble ourselves before God, He will exalt us (4.10).

Fifth is in the area of Platitude. We are not to speak evil against our Christian brother or sister. James says when we do this we speak evil of the law and judge the law. We are not doers of the law, but a judge (4.11). There is only one lawgiver and judge who is able to both save and destroy. Who are we to judge one another (4.12).

Sixth, is in the area of Period. In our carnal nature, we make plans as to what we are going to do in the future for our own gain. Through Godly wisdom, the spirit nature realizes that our lives are no more than a vapor that appears for a short while (4.14).
“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” (Proverbs 27:1).

Lastly, is Profit. James inserts this profound truth that to him that knows to do good, but doesn’t do it, to him it is sin (4.17). So many people think sin is the act of doing something wrong. James gives a different interpretation and states that it’s in not doing what you know you ought to do that is sin. The sin of omission is greater than the sin of commission. “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36)
So then, how do we keep our spirit nature over our carnal nature? The key is to come to God humbly, with a repentant heart and pray in the spirit (I said in the Spirit, not in tongues lest there be any confusion) . Praying in the spirit will help us draw closer to God. The residual effect of getting closer to God is that we distance ourselves from the world.