James 4:3 Meaning of Verse and Simple Commentary
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What is the Book of James about in Chapter 4?
The book of James is about what it means for a Christian to live a life of complete trust in God. Chapter 4 builds on the end of chapter 3, where James described the self-seeking wisdom of the world. Following this worldliness was the cause of fights among James's Christian readers.
What is the meaning of James 4 1 12?
James 4:1–12 builds on the end of chapter 3, describing how living according to the world's wisdom has led to great conflict among James's Christian readers. They were fighting with each other because they couldn't get what they wanted. James says that living that way is adultery.
What bothered James more than the quarrels of others?
i. “James seems to be bothered more by the selfish spirit and bitterness of the quarrels than by the rights and wrongs of the various viewpoints.” (Moo)
What is the Book of James about in the Bible?
James addresses his letter to Jewish Christians scattered around the known world. The book of James is about what it means for a Christian to live a life of complete trust in God. Chapter 4 builds on the end of chapter 3, where James described the self-seeking wisdom of the world.
What is the meaning of James chapter 4?
In this section, James says his readers are guilty of behaving from fundamentally wrong motives. They are acting toward each other in bad faith. He says they seek both to fulfill their evil desires and to have friendship with the world, thereby rejecting their spiritual yearning for God.
What is verse 4 3 in the Bible?
In the King James Version of the Bible the text reads: And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
What is the meaning of Ask and you shall receive?
This passage suggests that God will give whatever is needed to those who have the faith to ask for it.
What does it mean to ask a miss?
Definition of give (something) a miss : to choose not to do (something) or go (somewhere) I had so much else to do that I decided to give the party a miss.
What does it mean that God has set apart the godly for himself?
THE LORD HATH SET APART HIM THAT IS GODLY FOR HIMSELF It is our natural inclination to choose that which we consider to be the best for our very own.
What is the third temptation of Jesus?
6:16.) Once more the purposes of Satan were thwarted and Christ became the victor. In his third temptation, the devil casts away all subtlety and scripture and all deviousness and disguise.
What ever you ask in prayer believe and you will receive?
The scripture verse on this Bible is "Whatever you ask for in prayer believe that you have received it, and it will be yours, Mark 11:24.
What is the meaning of the first shall be last and the last shall be first?
The teaching implies that those who have prospered through wickedness will fail, whereas the good who have suffered for the sake of God will win salvation (see also salvation).
What does God say about asking 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.”
Why do we pray amiss?
James 4:3 – “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” How often do we pray for things that don't have anything to do with our immediate needs? Jesus walked this earth and never prayed for people's conveniences.
What does amiss mean biblically?
Definition of amiss 1a : in a mistaken way : wrongly If you think he is guilty, you judge amiss. b : astray Something had gone amiss. 2 : in a faulty way : imperfectly practiced more so as not to play the piece amiss. amiss.
What enmity means in the Bible?
"Enmity" and its synonyms "hostility," "animosity," and "animus" all indicate deep-seated dislike or ill will. "Enmity" (which derives from an Anglo-French word meaning "enemy") suggests true hatred, either overt or concealed. "Hostility" implies strong, open enmity that shows itself in attacks or aggression.
Why doesn't God give us a gift?
He will not give us a gift that will replace himself in our hearts, because he loves us too much and does not wish to see us come to harm. It is not always what we ask for that is the problem, but rather how and why we ask. God always tests the heart. #3 “that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”.
Why do you ask and do not receive?
You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures .
What does 4:1-10 mean?
4:1-10 Since all wars and fightings come from the corruptions of our own hearts, it is right to mortify those lusts that war in the members. Wordly and fleshly lusts are distempers, which will not allow content or satisfaction. Sinful desires and affections stop prayer, and the working of our desires toward God.
What happens if we yield to temptation?
If we yield to temptations, the devil will continually follow us; but if we put on the whole armour of God, and stand out against him, he will leave us. Let sinners then submit to God, and seek his grace and favour; resisting the devil. All sin must be wept over; here, in godly sorrow, or, hereafter, in eternal misery.
Why do you ask amiss?
because ye ask amiss; not in the faith of a divine promise; nor with thankfulness for past mercies; nor with submission to the will of God; nor with a right end, to do good to others, and to make use of what might be bestowed, for the honour of God, and the interest of Christ: but .
Is a man an enemy of God?
A man may have a large portion in things of this life, and yet be kept in the love of God; but he who sets his heart upon the world, who will conform to it rather than lose its friendship, is an enemy to God. So that any one who resolves at all events to be upon friendly terms with the world, must be the enemy of God.
What does James seem to be bothered by?
i. “James seems to be bothered more by the selfish spirit and bitterness of the quarrels than by the rights and wrongs of the various viewpoints.” (Moo) ii. Almost all who have such a critical and contentious attitude claim they are prompted and supported by the Spirit of God.
What does James ask us to consider?
It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away: James asked us to consider the fragility of human life, and the fact that we live and move only at the permission of God. James does not discourage us from planning and doing, only from planning and doing apart from reliance on God. i.
What is the source of wars and fights among Christians?
The source of wars and fights among Christians is always the same. There is some root of carnality, an internal war within the believer regarding the lusts of the flesh. No two believers who are both walking in the Spirit of God towards each other can live with wars and fights among themselves. i.
What does it mean to submit to God?
This means to order yourself under God, to surrender to Him as a conquering King, and start receiving the benefits of His reign. i.
What does the Bible say about uncertainty?
The uncertainty of life should make us ready to recognize what is good and then do it. “This uncertainty of life is not a cause either for fear or inaction. It is always a reason for realizing our complete dependence on God.” (Moffatt) b. To him it is sin: Jesus told a story with much the same point in Luke 12:41-48.
Who said God resists the proud?
i. James used a powerful word in the phrase, resists the proud: “Sets himself in battle array against him.” (Clarke) “God resisteth the proud, ‘setteth himself in battle-array against such,’ above all other sorts of sinner, as invaders of his territories, and foragers or plunderers of his chief treasures.” (Trapp) c.
Did James cite a particular passage?
James seemed to present an idea that is alluded to in several passages without quoting any specific passage. i. “More probably is the view that James was not citing a particular passage but summarizing the truth expressed in several Old Testament passages.” (Hiebert) ii.
What is the book of James about?
The book of James is about specifically understanding what saving faith looks like. How does faith in Christ reveal itself in a believer's life? What choices does real trust in God lead us to make? Those are the questions James answers. Most scholars believe the writer was Jesus' half-brother, a son born to Joseph and Mary after Jesus' birth. James may not have come to believe Jesus was the Messiah until after the resurrection. Eventually, though, he became one of the leaders of the Christian church in Jerusalem. This is possibly the earliest-written of all the New Testament books, around AD 40–50. James addresses his letter to Jewish Christians scattered around the known world.
What does James' letter to Jews mean?
The book of James is about what it means for a Christian to live a life of complete trust in God. Chapter 4 builds on the end of chapter 3, where James described the self-seeking wisdom of the world.
When did James come to believe Jesus was the Messiah?
James may not have come to believe Jesus was the Messiah until after the resurrection. Eventually, though, he became one of the leaders of the Christian church in Jerusalem. This is possibly the earliest-written of all the New Testament books, around AD 40–50.
What is James' point in "You lust and do not have"?
You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel.”. James’ point is, don’t look elsewhere for the source of your conflicts. Look within! The source is selfishness! Two selfish people dig in their heels and accuse each other as being the cause of the problems.
What does James say about your pleasures?
James calls this enemy “your pleasures” (4:1, 3). We get the word hedonism from this Greek word. It implies that the enemy poses as a friendly ally, someone who will help you enjoy life better. He whispers, “Follow me, and I’ll give you the pleasure you’ve been missing.” And, if you follow the path of “your pleasures,” at first life will seem very good! They deliver on their promise. But it’s like using drugs. At first, you feel high and your problems seem to be gone. But then you get hooked, the highs don’t feel so high any more, and you end up being destroyed. This week I heard a report on NPR about the increasing cases of “meth mouth.” Methamphetamines literally rot the teeth out of users’ mouths. But even though they are destroying themselves, they keep using it because of the immediate high it gives them. All sin is like that—it gives immediate pleasure, but long term pain.
What does the Bible say about the enemy?
The main enemy isn’t the other person! The main enemy is your own sinful, selfish flesh. If you do not defeat it, it will destroy you! James says (4:1), “Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members” These words imply three things: A.
How to resolve conflicts in the Bible?
There are four sections: To resolve conflicts, judge your selfish motives (4:1-3). To resolve conflicts, turn away from the world, give total allegiance to God, and humbly seek His grace (4:4-6). To resolve conflicts, submit to God, resist the devil, and in God’s presence repent of all your sins (4:7-10). To resolve conflicts, stop judging others ...
Why do we pray and not receive?
James says (4:3), “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.” That’s selfish praying! That’s trying to use God as Aladdin’s Genie, to pull Him off the shelf when you need Him, rub Him the right way, and then put Him back until the next time. But Jesus clearly taught that prayer is not to get our will done on earth, but to get God’s will done: “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” ( Matt. 6:10 ). Prayer is not so that we can use God; it is so that God can use us.
What happens if you don't judge your church?
Whether in the church or in your home, if you do not judge and put to death your sinful, selfish desires, you will have war. Or, to reverse it, if a church or home is filled with conflict, it is because some (if not all) of the members are living in the flesh.
What does James 1:20 mean?
And, you cannot grow in your Christian life and you will not bear fruit for God if you engage in unchecked anger and conflict at home or in the church. “The anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God” ( James 1:20 ). So James says that self versus self is at the heart of all relational conflicts.
What does James seem to be bothered by?
i. “James seems to be bothered more by the selfish spirit and bitterness of the quarrels than by the rights and wrongs of the various viewpoints.” (Moo) ii. Almost all who have such a critical and contentious attitude claim they are prompted and supported by the Spirit of God.
What does James ask us to consider?
It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away: James asked us to consider the fragility of human life, and the fact that we live and move only at the permission of God. James does not discourage us from planning and doing, only from planning and doing apart from reliance on God. i.
What is the source of wars and fights among Christians?
The source of wars and fights among Christians is always the same. There is some root of carnality, an internal war within the believer regarding the lusts of the flesh. No two believers who are both walking in the Spirit of God towards each other can live with wars and fights among themselves. i.
What does James say about uncertainty of life?
ii. Yet we also see that the uncertainty of life, to which James referred to in the previous passage, should not create fear that makes one passive or inactive. The uncertainty of life should make us ready to recognize what is good and then do it. “This uncertainty of life is not a cause either for fear or inaction.
What does "humble dependence" mean?
A humble dependence on God. 1. ( Jam 4:13-16) A caution against an attitude of independence from God. Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow.
What does it mean to submit to God?
This means to order yourself under God, to surrender to Him as a conquering King, and start receiving the benefits of His reign. i.
Who said God resists the proud?
i. James used a powerful word in the phrase, resists the proud: “ Sets himself in battle array against him.” (Clarke) “ God resisteth the proud, ‘setteth himself in battle-array against such,’ above all other sorts of sinner, as invaders of his territories, and foragers or plunderers of his chief treasures.” (Trapp) c.