James 4:3, ESV: You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. James 4:3, KJV: Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. James 4:3, NASB
New American Standard Bible
The New American Standard Bible is an English translation of the Bible by the Lockman Foundation. The New Testament was first published in 1963, and the complete Bible in 1971. The most recent edition of the NASB text was published in 1995.
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 study the Book of James 4?
It will help us confess our sin before men and God and will also assist us as we strive to continue pleasing God in the midst of inevitable human conflict. In his book, Seeing with New Eyes, author and biblical counselor David Powlison reflects upon the hope of James 4.
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 is James talking about when he talks about conflict?
James is saying that you will not resolve conflict until you correctly identify the source of it. If you blame the other person, you have not yet correctly identified the source. You must look within and see that your own selfishness is at fault. As a pastoral counselor, I have never seen a conflict that is 100 percent one-sided.
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 it mean to ask amiss?
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 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.
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 do James 4 3 mean?
For if our identity is in Christ, the intentions of the heart will align with the Word of God as it pertains to righteousness. But if our identity is wrapped up in our love of self, our heart's intentions will seek personal pleasure with no regard for the consequences that follow.
What does it mean James 4 3?
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 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 were the 3 temptations of Jesus?
After Jesus was baptized, he journeyed into the wilderness for forty days and was tempted by the Devil. Turning stones into bread, bowing to Satan, and putting God to the test were the three temptations with which the Evil One thought he could win over Jesus.
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.
How do you ask according to God's will?
Understanding how to pray according to God's Will includes: 1) entrusting ourselves to God's loving authority; 2) focusing on God's priorities; and 3) listening to God's Spirit. We must learn humble obedience to listen to His Will and present ourselves to Him, eager to live out His purposes.
What can prevent our prayers so that we ask amiss?
Only the power of the Spirit can give us the sure direction we need in our prayers. Only seeking that guiding, directing, comforting, constant influence can keep us from praying amiss.
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 is the point of James's bluntness?
This is both painful and helpful. We can overcome the pressure of conflict by identifying its source and pursuing the humility that sets pleasing God as its chief aim.
What is the heart attitude in James?
James outlines a few heart attitudes that will lead to conflict resolution between us, our fellow man, and God. These heart attitudes may not resolve every conflict but they will certainly put us in the favorable position of pleasing God. A. It all begins with grace. Grace is never received by the proud.
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.
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 ...
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 is the true story of the Canadian pastor?
A Canadian pastor told a true story of how a new denomination got started in that country. It all started the night that a Mr. Horner was enthusiastically preaching when his tie became wrapped around his hand. He concluded that the devil was trying to bind him in his preaching.
What is the sermon about the heart based on?
Sermon in series about the heart based on the book "Enemies of the Heart" by Andy Stanley . In order to overcome jealousy, we must develop the habit of presenting all of our desires to the Lord and celebrating the blessings He bestows on others.
How to find peace in the Bible?
If you want to find peace, don’t look down on some with disdain; don’t look up on others with jealousy; don’t look within at your own schemes. Instead, look to the Lord.
What does James say about faith?
He then says, “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself” (2:17).
What does James mean by "prautes"?
Now he suggests that wisdom and understanding will produce good conduct––with wisdom’s gentleness. The word prautes is related to the word praus, which is usually translated gentle or meek.
What does the Bible say about the fruit of righteousness?
He speaks of “the fruit of righteousness (which) is sown in peace by those who make peace ” (3:18). He goes on to speak of “wars and fightings among you,” which stem from lust and covetousness (4:1-3). He inveighs against “bitter jealousy and selfish ambition,” and warns that, “friendship with the world is enmity with God” (4:4).
What does James say about wisdom?
In verse 13, James encouraged the wise and understanding to show their good conduct by deeds done in gentleness of wisdom. That was a call for them to allow their good gifts to produce good fruit. Now he outlines what we can expect from wisdom that does not come down from above––earthly, sensual, demonic wisdom.
What does the Bible say about friendship with the world?
He inveighs against “bitter jealousy and selfish ambition,” and warns that, “friendship with the world is enmity with God” (4:4). He tells us to resist the devil, but to draw near to God (4:7-8). It would be easy to see these as discrete bits of wisdom, suffering from a lack of connection. However, that isn’t the case.
Was Jesus weak or timid?
Those words suggest weakness or timidity, but Matthew describes Jesus as praus (Matthew 11:29; 21:5), and Jesus was neither weak nor timid. He upended money changers’ tables and used a whip to drive animals from the temple. He lashed Pharisees with his tongue. He exercised authority over illness and demons.
Why does James say "You do not have, because you do not ask"?
Because you dug the hole and worked to get a drink you would rather have that than the pure water which is God Himself. That is ultimate evil. James goes on to say that rather than trying in your own power, which leads to fighting and broken relationships, ask God. He says, You do not have, because you do not ask.
What does James warn us about?
James warns his people and us as well to the danger of misplaced affection. The objects of our misplaced affections come in all shapes and sizes. These objects that we so many times find ourselves attracted to are really idols. When our affections are fixed on anything over and above God we are idol worshippers.
Sermon Series: Pressure Points
Introduction
I. The Source of Our Conflict with Our Fellow Man
II. The Source of Our Conflict with God
III. The Source of Our Conflict Resolution
- James outlines a few heart attitudes that will lead to conflict resolution between us, our fellow man, and God. These heart attitudes may not resolve every conflict but they will certainly put us in the favorable position of pleasing God. A. It all begins with grace 1. Grace is never received by the proud 2. Grace is the balm the humble long for B....
Conclusion