James Chapter 4
There are 4 themes in this chapter:
1. To be friends with the world is to be enemies with God (Verses 1-6)
The wars, fights, lust, and covetousness mentioned by the author here are examples of evil behaviors that those who are friends with the world commit.
The author also sharply rebukes that these people will not receive what they ask in prayer as they ask amiss (v3) , and even calls these people “adulterers and adulteresses”.
This kind of advice reminds us that one of the tests of faith is an inner struggle.
The various lusts in life can easily cause pride, jealousy, strife, a lack of inner peace, and even corrupt others.
However, the author emphasised in verse 6 that “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
For example, Jonah did not have a merciful heart to the people of Nineveh at first, and was disciplined by God. While fleeing to Tarshish, he encountered a big storm and God obstructed his journey. God resisted his proud heart so that he could understand that man has his limitations and incompetence and be able to repent and return to God. A humble person knows his incompetence and ignorance, can repent humbly before God, and will receive God’s mercy.
2. Resist the devil and draw near to God (Verses 7-10)
Obeying God and drawing near to God is the power of faith. Moreover, being able to choose that which is good and stubbornly obey throughout our life’s journey requires constant reflection and prayer for God’s help.
Being double-minded is like having a double personality, always indecisive between “being friends with the world” and “being friends with God”. In any case, the author once again reminds us that for our “laughter to be turned to mourning and our joy to gloom” is to constantly reflect, confess our sins, and repent to enjoy true happiness.
The humble will also be lifted up by God, which is life’s greatest grace.
3. Do not criticise and judge one another (Verses 11-12)
The scribes and Pharisees once brought a woman who was caught in adultery and asked how Jesus would condemn the crime. The Lord said to them: “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”
After hearing this, one by one they all walked away. How can a sinner judge another sinner?
4. Esteem the God who is in charge of your life (Verses 13-17)
In one’s life on earth, even if one makes many beautiful plans, one cannot control the accidents that might happen at any time. Because life is in God’s control, so let us not boast in it. Such behavior is evil in God’s eyes.
Most people believe that not drinking, not beating up another, not being greedy, and not criticizing others means you are a good person. In these verses is an important reminder that “to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”