As James
continued to share with the people within “the twelve tribes
scattered abroad” about
where “wars and fightings” come , he referred to those who
are “adulterers and adulteresses” who had the “friendship
of the world” and thereby became “the enemy of God”.
In chapter four and verse five of his letter, James referred to “the
scripture” as he asked his readers about “the Spirit that
dwells in us” where we read:
Do you
think that the scripture says in vain, The spirit that dwells in us
lusts to envy?
The
verse begins, “Do you think that the scripture says in
vain,...” James began with the
words, “Do you think”
which means “are you of the opinion or suppose, account, repute and
judge” “that the scripture”
which refers to “the written portion or section of the Holy
Scripture” “says”
or “speaks, affirms, maintains, exhorts, advises, commands and
directs” “in vain”
which means “of no purpose or aim”. James questioned whether his
readers thought the “Holy Scriptures” “affirm and advise” in
a manner of “no purpose or design”.
The
verse goes on to say, “The spirit that dwells in us lusts
to envy?” James continued,
“The spirit” or
“the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit who is coequal
and co-eternal with the Father and the Son” “that
dwells in us” which means
“settles, inhabits, pervades, prompts and governs within James and
his readers” “lusts”
or “longs for, desires, pursues with love and harbors forbidden
desires” “to envy”
which means “ill-will and jealousy as detraction and spite”? The
“Holy Scriptures” tell us about the wicked “desires” that
lead to “ill-will” that are within all of us”.
When
we consider these words of James, we cannot deny the “wicked
desires” and “lusts” that are with every person.
Therefore, when they are not brought under the Lordship of Jesus
Christ, they result in “wars, fights, disputes, arguments and
quarrels”. Perhaps we should examine our own hearts truthfully in
light of the “scriptures” and know that without the Lord
Jesus Christ ruling and reigning in our lives, contention reigns,
disputes rule and “irreconcilable differences” become the norm of
the day. May the Holy Spirit of God bring this truth to the forefront
of our hearts.
Next
time James shares how God
“gives more grace”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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