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REAL FAITH FOR A REAL WORLD – LIVE HUMBLY
JAMES 4


James 4:1-3
1) Just a suggestion--I hope all of you have a King James Version of the Bible. Yes, it is dated, but, oh, how marvelously this week’s text reads. Fighting and arguing is described as “wars” among ourselves. Next time you are in a “little argument,” think nuclear holocaust!
a) Who do we must often chose to “war” with? Galatians 5:15 gives a stern warning of what may become of us if we “war” with one another!
2) The KJV brings to mind a much deeper word picture for what we too often refer to as a “little argument or disagreement”.
a) What is the cause?
i) Check this out in the KJV. It is called our “lusts.” Is this word always sexual in nature? Read Mark 4:19; Romans 13:14; and Galatians 5:16-21.
3) Both translations we are studying state pretty plainly that we will go to any extreme to get what I like to call my “gotta haves.” How far will our “lusts” carry us? This is too scary because you have to remember that James is writing to the “church”—born-again believers!
4) Why do our “wars” so grieve the heart of God? Read Jesus’ words in John 13:34. This phrase is used at least 13 times throughout the New Testament.
5) God is the Giver of good gifts (Matthew 7:11 and Romans 8:32) and we are already blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:3.) Still, James is encouraging his brothers and sisters in Christ to ask God for their “gotta haves.” James gives his brethren two specific reasons why their requests are not being answered by God. What are the reasons?
6) So, what are right or proper motives and why is asking selfishly a hindrance to prayer? (See Matthew 6:19-21; Matthew 6:33; Matthew 7:7-12; Matthew 22:37-38; Luke 12:22-32; John 14:1; Psalms 66:18; 1 John 3:22; and John 5:14.) Do you how see this is really a heart problem? Explain.
7) Speaking about our hearts, I just completed Section 4 in a Bible study by Beth Moore, called Living Free. In this study, this section deals mainly with “soul satisfaction.” I bring this up because most of our “wars” come from a lack of inner peace and contentment with what God alone can give us. “Soul satisfaction” comes from recognizing that it is 1) God who satisfies (See Isaiah 55:1-2 and Psalms 145:16-21.) 2) “Soul satisfaction” is truly what our heart is crying out for and we keep trying to stuff ourselves on the things of this world—it won’t work! (See Ecclesiastes 1:2, 14 and Psalms 63:1.) 3) God, in Jesus Christ, is the perfect Picture of “soul satisfaction.” (See 2 Corinthians 4:4; Colossians 1:13-20 and Colossians 2:9.) 4) Look at your dissatisfaction as a blessing from the Father. (See Psalms 25:17.) As Beth puts it, “God offers us so much more than we usually choose to enjoy. Dissatisfaction is not a terrible thing. It’s a God thing. It’s only a terrible thing when we don’t let it lead us to Christ. He wants us to find the only thing that will truly satiate our thirsty and hungry hearts.” Me—put away those “gotta haves!” 5) “Soul satisfaction” comes when we begin to celebrate God’s “Godness.” (See Isaiah 25:1; Job 12:10; 36:26-29; Psalms 24:1; 40:5; 95:3-5; Colossians 1:15-17.)
James 4:4-6
1) James accuses these Christians as being adulterers. What is spiritual adultery? (See Isaiah 54:5; Jeremiah 3:20; Hosea 2:2-5; Hosea 3:1; Hosea 9:1; Acts 14:15).
2) Why does Scripture relate coveting (this could include our “gotta haves”) to idolatry? (You really have to see this in the KVJ-Ephesians 5:5.)
3) God’s enemy—ouch! This passage is in stark contrast to James 2:23 where Abraham believed God and was called His friend! What was different about Abraham’s response to this world and that of the Christians James is addressing? (See Hebrews 11—the believers hall of faith—verses 11-19 to learn about Abraham. How did he visualize himself on this earth? What does this passage say we should be looking for? (See also Hebrews 13:14; Ephesians 2:19 and 2 Peter 3:13.)
4) To be an enemy of God we have to be in opposition of His plans and purposes. Based on the following passages, make a personal listing of some of the purposes of God. See Psalms 33:10-11; Psalms 57:2; Psalms 138:8; Proverbs 19:21; Isaiah 14:24; Isaiah 14:26-27; Isaiah 46:8-12; Isaiah 55:8-12; Jeremiah 15:11; Jeremiah 29:11; Jeremiah 30:15-24; Acts 2:22-24; Ephesians 1:7-13; Ephesians 3:10-12; Philippians 2:13; and 2 Timothy 1:8-9.
5) Humility—not our normal response to life. (See 1 Peter 5:5-8.) Who would you say is your greatest example of living or having led a humble life? (See Philippians 2:5-16a.)
6) In what ways or by what means does God teach us humility or strives to keep us humble? (See Deuteronomy 8: 1-7; Deuteronomy 8: 16-18; 2 Corinthians 12: 7-10; and Psalms 107:39-40.
7) Our humility before such an awesome God can do wonders we can never imagine. Look at God’s great promises in 2 Chronicles 7:14; 2 Chronicles 33:9-13; Psalms 149:4; and Isaiah 58.
James 4:7-10
1) Surrender to God and resist the devil! To start this discussion off—what is the opposite of surrender?
2) How does surrendering to God help us in our fight against the god of this world, satan? (See Matthew 6:24; Matthew 16:24-28; Romans 6:13; Romans 6:16; Romans 6:22; Romans 12:1; and Hebrews 12:9.)
3) Why is resisting satan, or the devil so crucial to living an abundant and victorious life in Christ? (See John 8:43-44; Romans 16:20 (Yeah, God!); Ephesians 4:27; Ephesians 6:10-12; James 3:13-16.; 1 Peter 5:5-9 and 1 John 3:7-11.)
4) Purify our hearts—is this ever possible by ourselves? What is necessary? (See Psalms 51:10-11; Matthew 19:25-26 and Philippians 1:6.)
James 4:11-12
1) Jesus has a lot to say about judging others. We judge based on our own thoughts and feelings. Jesus warns us in Matthew 7:1-5 and Luke 6:37 about the results of our judging others. What is His warning? What is His promise?
2) You almost have to laugh here (Matthew 7:1-5.) Why is it we can so plainly see what is wrong with others yet fail to see our own sins and shortcomings which are of far greater proportion? (See Romans 2:1; Romans 14:4; and Romans 14:10.)
3) Who alone has the right to judge? (See John 5:22, 28-30; Acts 10:38-42 and 2 Timothy 4:8.)
4) What is truly behind our judging each other? (See Proverbs 13:10a.)
James 4:13-17
1) Too often we expect God to go along with our plans. What is wrong with that picture? (See Psalms 2:1-4.)
2) James is quick to remind these early Christians that they are a mist—here today, gone tomorrow. David, the psalmist, addresses God on this matter in Psalms 39:4-6. How did he see his life (remember, he was called a man after God’s own heart!)
3) In verse 7 of this passage, we find David’s solution. What is it? This word is translated, “expectation.” If we put our expectation in God—we have to lay our own expectations down. The best place for that is the Cross! (See Galatians 6:14.)