JAMES
Lesson 13: The Source of Conflict
James 4:1-12 CSB
1 What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don’t they come from your passions that wage war within you?
2 You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and wage war. You do not have because you do not ask.
3 You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.
4 You adulterous people! Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So whoever wants to be the friend of the world becomes the enemy of God.
5 Or do you think it’s without reason that the Scripture says: The spirit he made to dwell in us envies intensely?
6 But he gives greater grace. Therefore he says: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
7 Therefore, submit 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, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
9 Be miserable and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
11 Don’t criticize one another, brothers and sisters. Anyone who defames or judges a fellow believer defames and judges the law. If you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.
12 There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
• Practical Discipleship for Everyone.
• Bible Memorization. Psalm 119:11
o I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you.
Last week’s memory verse:
James 3:18
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.
Next week’s memory verse:
James 4:7
Therefore, submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Cain & Abel.
Conflict comes when we prioritize
Types of conflict (v1):
• polemos - wars- refers to larger military engagements
• mache - fights- typically between individuals or smaller groups
Polemos- The Church at Corinth.
1 Corinthians 1:10-13
10 Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction. 11 For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers and sisters, by members of Chloe’s people, that there is rivalry among you. 12 What I am saying is this: One of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in Paul’s name?
Mache- A fight between individuals. Philippians 4:2
2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord.
The external conflicts are a reflection of an
“Pleasures” – hedonism - the pursuit of happiness or pleasure as the paramount objective in life.
“Covet” - continuous state of intense envy - consumed by unexpressed rage or in a turbulent, angry mental state, akin to boiling.
Matthew 5:21-22
21 “You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. 22 But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Whoever insults his brother or sister will be subject to the court. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to hellfire.
Anger - seen in James 1:19.
Failure to ask God for help - James 4:2.
Guilty of spiritual adultery - James 4:4.
1 John 2:15.
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Renew their minds.
Romans 12:2
2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
“It is right for the church to be in the world; it’s wrong for the world to be in the church. A boat in water is good; that is what boats are for. However, water inside a boat causes it to sink.”
- Harold Lindsell
“A whole new generation of Christians has come up believing that it is possible to ‘accept‘ Christ without forsaking the world.” - A. W. Tozer
Add your notes here.
Key takeaways:
Conflict and its consequences can be resolved.
- Be Sensitive to the Holy Spirit: James 4:5-6
- Submit to God: In James 4:7-10
- Avoid Criticism: James 4:11-12