Living Wisely in The World - James 4:1-10

Are we satisfied with our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ? Are we convinced that we can enjoy true meaningful, flourishing life in a worshiping relationship with Him? Where do we believe real life is found if not in our Lord Jesus? How can God's people live wisely in this world so that we don't give in to its pressure and deceit and so waste our time and lives looking for life that the world cannot give?

What does it mean for us to live wisely in this world?

Be aware that our nature is determined to control us. What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

Our regular human nature is that part of us that wants nothing to do with God or the things of God and everything to do with the world and the things of this world and it is constantly fights against our new godly nature. Our regular human nature wants to act on our ungodly vices and plunge us into an ungodly lifestyle.
We will always be tempted by our regular human nature to push away the things of God and follow its desires.

Be aware that the world will deceive us. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

When scripture speak of the world in this context it means the mindset of those who are opposed to God’s will, worship, ways and salvation. This is the mindset we find among all people groups, cultures, countries and societies whether they are religious or not religious.
The world is determined to live in God’s world, enjoy God’s blessings while refusing to have an obedient, worshiping relationship with the living God through Jesus Christ.
To become a friend of the world is to eagerly embrace the world’s mindset and set yourself to pursue a life apart from the living God. What’s dangerous is that we can do this while still at least professing our loyalty to the Lord.
You know you’ve become a friend of the world or are in danger of becoming of doing so if you consistently refuse to worship God and consistently refuse to obey God’s word but when asked still say that you believe in Him.

Be aware that God desires us for Himself.  Do you think the Scripture means nothing that says, "The Spirit that God made to live in us wants us for himself alone." 6 But God gives us even more grace, as the Scripture says, "God is against the proud, but he gives grace to the humble." So give yourselves completely to God. Stand against the devil, and the devil will run from you.

Just as our regular human nature desires to live apart from God, the Holy Spirit He has given us eagerly desires for us to yearn for God. Jesus Christ came to give those who believe in Him real, vital, thriving, flourishing life. He and He alone offers the soul satisfaction that the world promises but never delivers.
And this is particularly important for those who know of Christ but are just not quite convinced that in Him we have all we need to enjoy significant, abundant life in the here and now.
Are you satisfied with your relationship to the Lord? Do you really and honestly believe that cultivating a lifestyle of reading and reflecting on scripture, God focused, Christ centered worship and Spirit filled gospel focused service is more than enough to satisfy the longings of your souls?

We must draw near to God. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9  Be wretched 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.

It’s interesting how James mentions the top three enemies of our souls. He begins by speaking of our regular human nature, then the world and finally Satan himself. Each of these enemies wants to drive a wedge of separation between us and our Savior.
In the face of these enemies James tells us to draw near to God. The idea is simply to come into close proximity to the Lord. How do we draw near?

We consistently practice a God centered reading of and reflecting on scripture.
We consistently participate in Christ centered public worship.
We consistently pursue Spirit filled, gospel focused service for the extension of Christ’s kingdom.
We consistently pray for God’s help, grace and power to fight against our old regular nature, the deceit of the world and the enticement of Satan.

To Him Who Loves Us...
Pastor Lance