4:3 But if ye do ask, ye receive not, because ye ask amiss - That is, from a wrong motive. Jas 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss. Some even have prayed for the things which would satisfy their lusts, but God hears not such prayers.
Full Answer
What does James 4 3 mean in the Bible?
What does James 4:3 mean? [⇑ See verse text ⇑] In the previous two verses, James scolded his Christian readers for living according to the destructive wisdom of the world. They are allowing themselves to be driven by envy and ambition. This does not reflect a trust in God to provide all they needed and much more.
Why did James use the middle form of prayer in Jam 4?
The middle form naturally suggested itself in Jam 4:2, prayer for others being not the point under consideration; but in the next clause, as James wished to lay stress on the active side—of prayer in antithesis to ΛΑΜΒΆΝΕΙΝ—he used the active form. “Egotisticalpraying for oneself” (Lange) is incorrectly understood by the middle.
What do they pray for in the New Testament?
They pray for success in their worldly engagements, though those engagements are all based on covetousness.
How do you pray to God and what are the words?
I pray that I may walk in spirit and truth to Your praise and honour and that in Your power.. I will resist the influences of the world, the flesh and the devil.. and walk in meekness, purity, spirituality and sincerity all the days of my life - to Your praise and glory, AMEN. “Submit yourselves therefore to God.
What does James 4 3 mean in the Bible?
Biblical Translations of James 4:3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. NLT. And even when you ask, you don't get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.
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 James 4?
James is talking about being humble before God, and being humble means avoiding presumptuous behavior. In his illustration, James portrays a traveling merchant planning out their travel for future markets. There is nothing wrong with planning, but James warns against presuming our futures.
What does James 4 say in the Bible?
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.
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.
Who shall the prayer of faith save?
Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up.
Who was James addressing in James 4?
James the Apostle, abbreviation James, New Testament writing addressed to the early Christian churches (“to the twelve tribes in the dispersion”) and attributed to James, a Christian Jew, whose identity is disputed.
Who wrote James 4 in the Bible?
James the brother of JesusJames 4 is the fourth chapter of the Epistle of James in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The author identifies himself as "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ" and the epistle is traditionally attributed to James the brother of Jesus, written in Jerusalem between 48 and 61 CE.
What does being double-minded mean?
Definition of double-minded 1 : wavering in mind : undecided, vacillating a double-minded man unstable in all his ways — James 1:8 (Revised Standard Version) 2 : marked by hypocrisy : insincere.
What you ask you shall receive?
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye. shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh. findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
What does it mean friendship with the world is enmity with God?
Those who want to be friends with the world make themselves the enemies of God. This Scripture does not say that our family members, colleagues and friends who are not believers are to be avoided like a plague. Timi David. Those who want to be friends with the world make themselves the enemies of God.
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.
Praying through James 4:1
Heavenly Father, thank You that 'in-Christ' I have the sufficient grace and power through Him to overcome the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. Thank You that Your grace is sufficient for all my needs, for my sufficiency is in Christ alone. Thank You in Jesus' name, AMEN.
Praying through James 4:2
Loving Father I do want to pray aright and to pray into Your perfect will.
Praying through James 4:4
Loving Father, I confess that I am too easily drawn into worldly thinking, which I know grieves the Holy Spirit. Keep my humble of heart before You, knowing that this is Your will for my life, in Jesus name I pray, AMEN.
Praying through James 4:5
Heavenly Father, thank You for the amazing privilege of the indwelling Holy Spirit Who desires us to be holy for You are holy. Keep me from engaging in strife and acrimony and help me never to foster carnal attitudes or crave after the things of this world.
Praying through James 4:6
Loving Father, thank You for the great grace that You show to me every day of my life. I pray that I heed Your serious warnings against prideful boastings and do not yield to any ungodly ways - rather come to You on bended knee with a broken and contrite heart, in Jesus name I pray, AMEN
Praying through James 4:7
Thank You heavenly Father that I am no longer under the domain of Satan but am a child of God who is under grace and not under law. I pray that I may walk in spirit and truth to Your praise and honour and that in Your power.. I will resist the influences of the world, the flesh and the devil..
Praying through James 4:8
Loving Father, I want to develop a singleness of mind towards You, with my heart purified and my hands clean before You so that I can draw closer and closer to Christ, my Saviour, and Lord. Keep my ears open to Your voice, my eyes open to Your truth, and my heart open to You alone. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.
Praying through James 3:1
Heavenly Father, I praise You for the truth of Your Word, and thank You for those that You put in my path, to teach me the glorious gospel of Christ. I pray that I may grow in grace, walk in spirit and truth, mature in the faith, and be ready and willing to tell others the hope that I have in You.
Praying through James 3:4
Heavenly Father, thank You for the warnings Your Word gives about the devastation that unguarded words can have. Help me to keep my tongue under control, being slow to speak but quick to listen. May the words that I speak and the meditation of my heart be always acceptable to You, my God and my Saviour. In Jesus' name, AMEN.
Praying through James 3:6
O Lord, help me to take this Scripture to heart. I know how much harm words can do as I remember the times I have been hurt by the words of others and hurt others with my own harsh words. Forgive me, Lord. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer. In Jesus' name, AMEN.
Praying through James 3:10
Heavenly Father, thank You for our heavenly example of how to live on earth to Your praise and glory. I pray that I may reflect the Lord Jesus in all wisdom and understanding and that genuine humility and gentleness of heart may become the hallmark of my life to Your praise and glory - this I ask in Jesus name, AMEN.
Praying through James 3:13
Heavenly Father, thank You for the epistle of James and its thought provoking content. May we reflect our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, Who is the personification of godly wisdom and our perfect, representative Man. Thank You that in Christ we have a living example of what a life that is walking in spirit and truth should be.
Praying through James 3:14
Heavenly Father, keep me I pray, from any bitterness of heart or selfish ambitions, and help me to walk in spirit and in truth. Give me wisdom and understanding, so that by my actions and attitude, I may walk in Your ways and always be pleasing to You. Strengthen me and enable me to live as Christ lived, in active dependence on You.
Praying through James 3:16
Heavenly Father, thank You that Jesus is the power of God and the wisdom of God and that in Him is no confusion or shifting shadows. I know that the enemy likes to bind us up in confusing webs of lies, fear, and doubt. May I resist the devil and keep my eyes focused on Jesus alone. This I ask in Jesus' holy name, AMEN.
Who Is James Addressing?
Take a moment to read this whole thought in James, and as you’re reading ask yourself: who is James talking to?
Why Are You Asking? A Look at Motives
Looking closely at having not because of asking not reveals that the problem is not really in the asking. The problem is in the reason why you are asking.
The Negative Power of Coveting
This type of emotion is not only unhealthy, it is a catalyst that leads to fights, quarrels, and yes—even murder. I must remind you again that James is talking to Christians. The striking thing about this desire is that it comes from within you.
The Problem of Misplaced Desires
Another problem here is the object of the desires, or the things that bring you pleasure. It would be one thing if you were desiring to be more like Christ or to be filled with more of the Holy Spirit, those desires are not only beneficial to you but also to others. The desires James refers to are only beneficial to you.
How Does James 4:2 Read in Other Translations?
Looking at other translations can give greater clarity to the full meaning of any biblical verse. Consider these two translations:
The 3-Check Prayer Litmus Test
We have clearly seen in James that just praying is not enough. You must look closer at the motives you have. Because you do not ask is not the only reason you do not receive. To help you when you pray, I want you to check these three things.
A Closing Thought on Motives
Motives are so important, and sometimes we can be blinded and not see them in our own heart. Thankfully, God is not blind, and he is willing to expose motives if you ask him. So today, before you pray or do anything, let’s pray what David prayed: