Broken and Humble

Scripture

1 What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious 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 with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. 4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”? 6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit therefore 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, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

Notes

James, an earthly brother of Christ, wrote to Jewish believers who live in different places. His letter was full of practical wisdom, which included the proper way to pray. James mentioned the importance of humbling oneself before God, but he also cited and behavior and improper prayer.

1. The source of quarrels and conflicts among believers are internal. It involves carnality, envy, improper desires, and a lack of prayer. (James 4:1-2). Therefore, we must turn away from envy, carnality, and lust. Instead, we should pray.

2. One hindrance to prayer is wrong motives, which is self-centric and worldly. Becoming a friend of the world makes one an enemy of God (James 4:3-5). Therefore, our motives should be Christ-centered, not self-centered, and not worldly-oriented. If we are comfortable with the unbiblical ways of the world, God is our enemy.

3. God gives greater grace to the humble but He opposes the proud (James 4:6). Therefore, we must fear God and humble ourselves. Otherwise, God will be opposed to us.

4. Humility before God means submission to Him and His will. The submitted soul can resist the devil and make him flee (James 4:7). Therefore, we must submit to His will, which is His word. We can then resist the devil. Christ is our model when He resisted the temptations of the devil. He spoke the Holy Scriptures against every temptation.

5. Come close to God and He will come close to you. How? Purify your heart of sin and doubt. Grieve over your sin. Do not take it lightly or make excuses (James 4:8-9). Therefore, we must build our closeness with God. Not through emotionalism, but through sincere repentance and faith.

6. All kinds of promotion comes from God. The command is to humble the self, and God will lift us up (James 4:10). Not men. But God. Therefore, one must humble the self before the Almighty.

Application

As a church community, we should purify ourselves and humble ourselves before God. As families, we should do the same, and deal with our inner lives so that conflict will dissipate. As individuals, we should cleanse our hearts, and be broken and humble before the Almighty. By God’s grace, He shall lift us.