James 4:2 says, “Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.” The core of this verse is the last phrase that we don’t have what we want because we don’t ask for it. Sadly, this verse has been twisted and misinterpreted to mean something that Scripture does not teach.
Full Answer
What does the Bible say about not because you ask not?
When James reminds us in James 4:2 that we have not because we ask not, realize it’s a good thing and that God is doing you a favor. In other words, thank God for the next verse: When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
What does James chapter 4 of the Bible mean?
James focuses chapter 4 around talking about not being prideful, but submitting to God instead and being humble in asking for needs being met, as “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).
What does the Bible say about desire but not have?
You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. – James 4:1-3 Is James really talking to Christians here?
What does the Bible say about asking God for something?
This is a very popular scripture to quote—especially when you are praying and believing God for something in your life. Jesus instructs us to ‘ask’ in many places in Scripture, so it makes sense that if you don’t have something, it could be because you didn’t ask for it. Does this mean that God will give me whatever I ask for?
What verse in the Bible says you do not have because you do not ask?
You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
What is the meaning of ask and it shall be given?
This passage suggests that God will give whatever is needed to those who have the faith to ask for it.
What does the Bible say about asking God for things?
The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
What do you have that you did not receive meaning?
It's easy to take pride in what we have earned or the talents we possess. We naturally take ownership of our accomplishments. But, the reality is God is our Creator and provides us with life and the tools to succeed.
How do you ask God for something specific?
To ask God for something, first praise Him and thank Him for all the good things in your life to show your gratitude. Then, be honest about what you want and why you want it. For example, say something like, “Lord, I've been selfish recently and it's affecting my family.
How do I ask and receive from God?
Keep on asking God for anything and everything until He gives you an answer. Don't give up! We need to get back our joy and strength, and the sweetness of being a Christian when our prayers are answered. Be importunate in prayer and unrelenting in your faith and you shall receive answers to your prayers.
Why does God want us to ask him for things?
Why do we need to ask? God tells us to ask because prayer is inviting God to get involved in our lives personally and in whatever situations and circumstances we are facing in our life. He loves us so much.
What does it mean to ask in faith?
Asking in faith requires honesty, effort, commitment, and persistence. Let me provide an illustration of what I mean and extend to you an invitation. We properly pray for the safety and success of the full-time missionaries throughout the world.
What does the Bible say about asking in faith?
"And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith." "For we walk by faith, not by sight." "But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." "Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."
What do you have that God has not given you?
For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
What does the Bible say about when we compare ourselves to others?
2 Corinthians 10:12 12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
What has God not given us?
2 Timothy 1:7 - For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind - Scripture Frame - Bible Verse.
What does James 4 say about asking God for something?
James 4 does not really address those larger issues. It simply says that, if there is something we want, we need to ask God for it, instead of resorting to ungodly means. It stands to reason that there are some things that we will not get unless we ask for them, but, if we ask, we will receive them. So, if there is something that we want, we need ...
Why do I not have because I do not ask God?
You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”. 1. The people wanted a lot, and this was causing them to fight and quarrel among themselves.
Why does God say "no"?
There are some times when God may say “no” because we ask with the wrong motives , and there may be some times that He says “yes” because He wants us to have what we ask for. (His “yes” does not mean that the object of our desire will necessarily arrive “on a silver platter” from heaven.
Why do Christians lash out at each other?
There are Christians who are out to further their own agenda to get what they want by any means possible. When they are frustrated in their aims, they lash out at each other. James says there is a better way. Instead of coveting, quarrelling, fighting, and even killing, Christians need to simply ask God for what they want.
Why did people fight and quarrel?
1. The people wanted a lot, and this was causing them to fight and quarrel among themselves. Presumably, they were frustrated with each other as they could not get what they wanted. 2. The inability to get what they wanted had driven some of them to “kill.”.
What does James write about?
James wrote to believers who seemed to have quite a few problems with their behavior. The one he addresses at the beginning of chapter 4 has to do with their desire to get things.
When you ask God for something, do you receive?
Likewise, when we ask God for something, He reserves the right to do what is best for us. James 4:3 brings up another situation where God may not grant our requests: “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”. So, while it is better to ask God for things ...
What does "you don't have because you don't ask" mean?
You don't have, because you don't ask. Young's Literal Translation. ye desire, and ye have not; ye murder, and are zealous, and are not able to attain; ye fight and war, and ye have not, because of your not asking; Additional Translations ...
Why do you not have?
You do not have, because you do not ask. You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it.
What does "you desire and do not have" mean?
Literal Standard Version. You desire, and do not have, [so] you murder; and you are zealous, and are not able to attain, [so] you fight and war; and you do not have, because of your not asking; NET Bible. You desire and you do not have; you murder and envy and you cannot obtain; you quarrel and fight.
What causes conflicts and quarrels among you?
1 What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you? 2 You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures.…
What does the Bible say about coveting?
You have not, because you do not pray; World English Bible. You lust, and don't have . You kill, covet, and can't obtain. You fight and make war.
What does James 4:2 mean?
James 4:2 says, “Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.” The core of this verse is the last phrase that we don’t have what we want because we don’t ask for it.
Where in the Bible does it say we must ask for what we desire?
The crux of this argument, however, is found later on in John’s writings: we must ask for what we desire within the will of God (1 John 5:14). This is the point that James is making as well, along with the consistent testimony of the whole Bible. We must first seek after God’s heart and align our desires with His.
What does the Bible say about changing hearts?
The Bible teaches us that belief in Christ must come first, and seeking after the will of God must be the primary motivation of our hearts. If we selfishly ask for blessings without being willing to submit to Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are asking with the wrong ends in mind and using God only as a means to get what we want. We should yield to God first and align our desires with His .
What does the Bible say about murder?
He openly condemns murder, theft, war, and lustful desires and points to the fact that they have not asked God for what they want. This does not mean that they – or we – should approach God and ask for something that is sinful. We must first get our own hearts focused on Him, then our desires will change accordingly.
What does John say about the commandments?
The apostle John continues this line of thought in his own letter to believers by saying that we must keep the commandments of God and remain faithful to Him if we hope to gain His blessings (1 John 3:22). The crux of this argument, however, is found later on in John’s writings: we must ask for what we desire within the will of God (1 John 5:14). ...
What did Jesus teach about the kingdom of God?
When Jesus began proclaiming the kingdom of God, He taught that the motivation of our hearts is what mattered. The Sermon on the Mount, one of His most beloved collection of teachings, shows that every specific sinful action comes from a sinful motivation in our hearts.
Why do you have not your desire?
You are burning with desire, and have not your desire, so you put men to death; you are full of envy, and you are not able to get your desire, so you are fighting and making war; you have not your desire, because you do not make request for it. - Basic English Bible.
What does the Bible say about coveting?
You have not, because you do not pray; - Weymouth Bible. You lust, and don't have. You kill, covet, and can't obtain. You fight and make war.
Fact 4: We Are Supposed to Pray
When James wrote, “you have not: because you ask not,” he meant his readers were not praying correctly.
Fact 5: James' Readers Went Wrong
When he wrote, “you have not: because you ask not,” James was criticizing his readers. They were basing their prayers on selfish motives and evil intents.
Why does James say we have not asked because we ask not?
James 4:3 gives us a strong dose of reality when James shares that prayer requests we have may not be answered because we don’t ask with godly intentions but worldly intentions. In telling us that we "have not because we ask not", James is encouraging us to continue on and endure in prayer. However, the verse is not meant to say ...
Where in the Bible does it say "Ask and it will be given to you"?
Jesus shares one of the most recognizable verses in Matthew 7:7-8: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who ask receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will opened.”. The same is said Luke 16:9 . Jesus also spoke of what will happen ...
Why can't we ask God to bless us?
What can be learned from this Scripture is that we may not get what we want God to bless us with because we don’t ask with the right intention in mind. We ask these requests to fulfill our wants, needs, and desires and God wishes to bless us with our prayers, but only if they are to help others and glorify Him, not just ourselves.
What does James say about asking God to take care of us?
In James 4:2-3, he states, “You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, ...
What does Jesus say about asking God?
The same is said Luke 16:9 . Jesus also spoke of what will happen when we do ask God in faith: “And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive” ( Matt. 21:22 ). He also shares the same sentiment in John 15:7: “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”.
Who wrote James 4?
Written by James, who is said in the Bible to be a “bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,” James 4 discusses the need to not be prideful but humble. This chapter also explains how we shouldn’t judge our brothers and sisters or focus on only what we will do tomorrow.
Why do people ask for what they need?
These include because people who seek to be friends of the world will become enemies to God , this leading to a sense of entitlement or being proud that could make it even more difficult to hear clearly from God.
Why do you ask and do not receive?
You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people!
What does "Do not have" mean in the Bible?
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. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
Why do we rejoice in our suffering?
More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame , because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. ...
What does the Bible say about knocking?
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
What does the Bible say about the rotted garments?
Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days.
What does the Bible say about wheat?
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
What does the Bible say about giving to the needy?
Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. ...