Full Answer
What does James 4 7 mean in the Bible?
What does James 4:7 mean? James 4:7, NIV: "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7, ESV: "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
What does James teach us in this verse?
James calls every one of us to live righteously before God. He encourages us to love mercy and presents us in this verse with a beautiful, conditional promise, "Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you."
What does the Bible say about being humble?
A sermon from James 4:6-10 showing the need to be humble. There are three challenging things James tells us to do. He promises that these will change our lives. This passage from James was written in a very serious circumstance. Christians were quarreling; committing murder and adultery; living by lust, greed, and envy.
What does James say about resolving conflicts?
Today we come to the third section, where James says… To resolve conflicts, submit to God, resist the devil, and repent of all sin.
What is the meaning of James 4 10?
Explanation and Commentary of James 4:10 The root of these fights is pride, which will be the undoing of anyone, including Christians, who fail to deal with it where it arises. The remedy is simple, “Humble yourselves.” There is a sweet spot for the believer that to stay in will be joy and contentment.
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 does submission to God mean?
Submission to God's authority brings freedom. It sets order and direction in our everyday lives for those found in Christ. And what is to follow is unimaginable blessing for those who are obedient.
What does biblical resist mean?
1 : to exert oneself so as to counteract or defeat he resisted temptation.
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.
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.
How do I submit to God's will?
2:226:08HOW TO SUBMIT TO GOD'S WILL - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo meaning be yoke with jesus. Just walk in time then with him so surrendering all to god andMoreSo meaning be yoke with jesus. Just walk in time then with him so surrendering all to god and allowing. God to be the one that goes away in your life.
What does it mean to be submissive biblically?
It means humbly sharing your opinion with him. It means not invalidating him, especially in front of others. It means trusting his decision as a leader, while feeling empowered to give your own point of view.
How do you submit your plans to God?
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. The LORD works out everything for his own ends-- even the wicked for a day of disaster. The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
How do you resist the devil's temptation?
“How do I resist temptation?”Pray for Strength. To withstand temptation, we first need the will and the sincere desire to choose the right. ... Support Each Other. ... Share Your Beliefs. ... Listen to the Holy Ghost. ... Stand in Holy Places. ... We Can Decide to Do Right. ... Role-play Choosing the Right. ... Have Good Friends.
What is draw near to God?
What Does it Mean to Draw Near to God? Drawing near to God means that you want to be in a close relationship with God. Jesus is the only way to the Father (John 14:6). He is the only way you can draw near to God. God sent Jesus to be the mediator between God and man.
When the enemy comes in like a flood the Lord will raise?
When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.” This paints a rich picture of God riding in to defend His people against overwhelming odds and unspeakable evil.
Who wrote James Chapter 4?
James 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.
Who is the audience in James 4?
The epistle is traditionally attributed to James the brother of Jesus (James the Just), and the audience is generally considered to be Jewish Christians, who were dispersed outside Israel.
What is the meaning of James 4 3?
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.
Where in the Bible does it say draw near to me and I will draw near to you?
James 4:8. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Why is it a shame to resist the devil?
It’s a shame because we can actually resist the devil. After submitting to God, we can ignore his lies. “Take every thought captive” (2 Cor 10:5) and then keep your eyes on Christ, to whom you have given your whole life, joyfully laying down your rights to anger, lust, pride, etc. Satan will flee when you resist.
What are the two things that Christians are unaware of?
As Christians we are largely unaware of at least two things: 1) Satan is constantly on the attack. Even though we know the truth of this from God’s Word (1 Pt 5:8), we mostly don’t realize it is happening. 2) Christians have all the power and authority from God to resist him and make him run away from us.
What does it mean to live as sojourners in an enemy kingdom?
We live as sojourners in an enemy kingdom. We are not of this world, but we are in it for a time as God’s ambassadors (2 Cor 5:20). That means that most of the world is playing by a set of rules dictated by the enemy. Pride, fear, envy, lust, and hatred make his world go around, and if Christians are unaware of the weaknesses of our own flesh, ...
Why does Satan love people?
Satan loves for people to believe that because it leaves them powerless against him. But those who truly believe God and his Word to us will have no choice but to lay down their lives to him and for him. Surrender to God is the path of life everlasting.
How to submit yourself to God?
#1 “Submit yourselves…to God.”#N#Don’t fall for the easy believism that says because you prayed a prayer once and “asked Jesus into your heart” (not in the Bible) that you never need to worry about hell, and that is all there is to being a Christian. Satan loves for people to believe that because it leaves them powerless against him. But those who truly believe God and his Word to us will have no choice but to lay down their lives to him and for him. Surrender to God is the path of life everlasting. The degree to which you do this will determine your experience of the “abundant life” (Jn 10:10) and the “easy yoke” (Mt 11:30) promised by Christ.
Why do people fight in James 4?
In the previous six verses of James 4, James powerfully explains the reason that people, both unbelievers, and believers, fight. He says we lust after things that we aren’t getting, and so we want to murder over it. This is both hard and profound, and it is also true. The only way to combat this pride and hatred within our flesh is to submit to God.
Does Satan have the power to harm God's children?
But it need not be that way. To truly combat satan and live victoriously on planet earth in the present age while satan, though beaten, still has the power to harm God’s children who are unaware, we need to heed James’ instructions.
How to overcome temptations of the enemy?
In order to overcome the temptations of the enemy we are simply instructed to resist: to resist the devil. . to resist the temptation. . to resist the sin - to resist the evil. When temptation hammers on the door of our mind we are to simply to say NO!
When we resist Satan, he will flee from us?
When we resist Satan - he will flee from us. Praise God that in the power of the Holy Spirit that we have authority over our bodies to present our members to God as instruments for righteousness, holy and acceptably unto God - for we are not under law but under grace.
Can we allow sin and Satan to have authority over our bodies?
We can allow sin and Satan to have authority over our bodies OR by the power of the Holy Spirit we can nail our old sin nature to the cross and present our members to God as instruments for righteousness , holy and acceptable unto God - for we are not under law but under grace.
What does the Bible say about grace?
Verse Thoughts. As Christians we are not under law but under grace. As God's children, who are saved by grace through faith in Christ, we can walk in spirit and truth OR we can live our life in the lust of the flesh. We can yield to the work of the Holy Spirit within OR we can submit to the evil influences of Satan.
What does James say about grace?
James reminds us of an important biblical principle that is found throughout the pages of Scripture, "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.". The Lord withstands self-important, arrogant men, but supplies His sufficient grace to those that are meek and lowly of heart.
What does it mean to humble yourself before God?
In 2 Chronicles, we read that humbling oneself before God is linked with earnest prayer, seeking God's face, and turning from every wicked way... for humbling oneself before the Lord, enables the grace of God to flow freely into our hearts and breathes spiritual revival into our soul.
What is salvation given to all who believe in Jesus Christ?
Verse Thoughts. Not only is salvation given to all who believe on the Lord Je sus Christ as a free gift of God's grace, but His ongoing favour is readily available to every believer, as we journey along the path of life. Having been born again of the Spirit, we are called to trust in the Lord with all our heart, ...
Why did James and James fight?
They were fighting with each other because they couldn't get what they wanted. James says that living that way is adultery. It's ''cheating'' on God. He calls them to quit their friendship with the world, humble themselves, repent from their sin, and receive God's grace. God is the Lawgiver and Judge, not man.
What does James say about living that way?
James says that to live that way is adultery, but God gives grace. Christians should repent and move close to God again. We should trust Him to provide, to be the Judge, and to lift us up in His time. In humility, we must acknowledge that all of our plans are dependent on Him, and He can change them at any moment.
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 the word "sinner" mean in the Bible?
i. “The word used for sinner is hamartolos, which means the hardened sinner, the man whose sin is obvious and notorious.” (Barclay) ii. In using terms like lament and mourn and weep, “James speaks in terms of the Hebrew prophets’ language about the anguish of repentance.” (Moffatt) h.
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 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 "such friendship with the world" mean?
i. “Such friendship with the world means that one is on a footing of hostility towards God, for it defies His will and despises His purpose; disguise it as one may, it is an implicit challenge to God.” (Moffatt) ii. The strong statements James made here remind us that all was not beautiful in the early church.
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 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.