Memory Verse: “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” (James 4:6)
Scripture Reading: James 4:1-8
Introduction: When Adam and Eve sinned and opened wide the lid to Pandora’s Box, two of the evils which flew out were strife and envy. As the floodgate of evil was opened, something was started which has never stopped. As we gaze out across the pages of time we see a strange phenomenon—mankind, as-it-were, in a death struggle with himself. Millions upon millions have been slain as the nations strove one with another. It would seem that man has endeavored to exterminate his own kind.
What is the basis for strife? Why the Hitler’s’ and Napoleons’, etc.? Peering closely we see it is the old “self” wanting to assert itself, whether in conquering legions or murder in a bar room. We notice two small children playing, the older one jerks all the toys away from the younger and we call him selfish. Let us dissect the word self-ish. Now that we have dissected it, it must stand alone, naked. We see it clearly now for what it is—just the old self, nothing more.
Wherever the people of God are found special care must be taken to ward off envy and strife. The reason is clear enough, eternal issues are involved. The stakes are the highest imaginable, life and death. It is at these points, the Christian home, the church, and so on, that Satan exerts the greatest influence. Lodges and other non-Christian type groups are not subject to the same kind of pressures. To begin with, most things “don’t matter,” the tiniest incidents become swollen all out of proportion. What if so-and-so does seem to be taking glory that seems to belong to us, fleshly glory is not for us anyway; so lay this aside, dismiss it, it doesn’t really matter—it is not eternal. Besides all this, if we endeavored to reclaim our glory, strife would be the result; and since the Scriptures admonish us to let nothing be done through strife or vain glory, this avenue is closed. Nothing, or no-thing, seems so all-inclusive. Since all avenues are closed for “reclaiming our glory” we resort to prayer in the matter, we see it now as through the wrong end of a telescope miles away and very small. The wound is healed while it is fresh when we submit to God’s good will for our lives.
The difference between the world and God is that in the world sin is considered acceptable and pleasurable, having lost its awareness of sin—hence, sin has become habitual. Those who submit to God’s divine wisdom will receive the necessary grace from God to put into practice the kind of life that James describes in the Book of James 3:13-18.
Lesson Questions:
- Are wars and fighting’s found in the church, or only in the world? What causes them? James 4:1; James 2:6; James 5:5-6; 1 Peter 2:11; Luke 8:14; Ephesians 6:11-13. Note: Cares, riches and pleasures of life can squash spiritual growth and we are then woefully unsuccessful.
- What accusations does James make in James 4:2?
- What is the reason that some may ask, and receive not? James 4:3; 1 John 5:14-15.
- How should we be asking? Romans 8:14; Mark 11:22-26; Matthew 7:7-8.
- Is it not evident that James considered an alliance, or friendship, with the world as a violation of the seventh commandment? James 4:4.
- Since the Bible teaches that the Church is the Bride of Christ, to whom should she give her devotion and allegiance? Revelation 14:1-5.
- What does the Scripture say about the natural spirit of man? James 4:5.
- What is the remedy for these conditions and what is God’s attitude toward the proud, to whom does He give grace? James 4:6; Proverbs 3:33-35.
- Do we always find it easy to submit ourselves to God? James 4:7; Hebrews 12:3-11. How shall we treat the devil? Ephesians 4:27. How did Jesus meet temptation? Matthew 4:1-10.
- If we desire to know God, what should we do, and what will He do? James 4:8-10; 2 Peter 2:9; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Matthew 11:28-30; 1 John 1:3-10; Psalm 32:5; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 John 3:3 and Isaiah 1:16-20.