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James 4:1-12
I feel like these verses this morning are really an extension of what we were discussing yesterday, that these verses key off of James 3:16.
Today James takes this idea further, that this jealousy and selfish ambition end up causing ‘war’ inside of us...that we end up with urges and desires that push us in a direction we shouldn’t go, and that we end up becoming like the rest of the world, that is, without the Holy Spirit. So, as we give into world temptations, as we follow our unchecked passions, as we yearn to have more and more, we drown out the voice of the Holy Spirit, and thus, we can’t sense God and experience God in the same ways we otherwise would. It is almost like he is saying that we become numb to that sense of one-ness with God when we pursue worldly things that are not part of God’s plan for our lives...this is definitely something I can attest to experiencing. When we get so hung up in chasing down a goal, or a certain outcome, we lose the ability to maintain perspective. We get so lazar-focused on that thing that we can’t hear others’ advise, and we certainly can’t hear God.
His solution? Resist temptation, resist following your desires until you’ve vetted them, prayed over them, considered them, and humble ourselves before God...meaning, come to terms with who we are, that we’ve fallen short, and renew that connection with God so we can hear His voice again in our lives. This isn’t a one-and-done deal...this is a lifelong journey. This IS what some would call, “the good fight”, the constant struggle to maintain focus on what matters most.
This is a great reminder today...a great reminder that we should be constantly fighting to maintain the perspective of God’s purpose in our lives, and God’s agenda, and that we should probably get comfortable with the idea that this is a battle we’ll always have to wage. James did at least say that if we resist the devil he will flee us...I don’t think he means completely, but at least there IS hope that as we journey down this road in the RIGHT direction, each progressive step can get easier than the last.
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By Steve AndersonI feel like these verses this morning are really an extension of what we were discussing yesterday, that these verses key off of James 3:16.
Today James takes this idea further, that this jealousy and selfish ambition end up causing ‘war’ inside of us...that we end up with urges and desires that push us in a direction we shouldn’t go, and that we end up becoming like the rest of the world, that is, without the Holy Spirit. So, as we give into world temptations, as we follow our unchecked passions, as we yearn to have more and more, we drown out the voice of the Holy Spirit, and thus, we can’t sense God and experience God in the same ways we otherwise would. It is almost like he is saying that we become numb to that sense of one-ness with God when we pursue worldly things that are not part of God’s plan for our lives...this is definitely something I can attest to experiencing. When we get so hung up in chasing down a goal, or a certain outcome, we lose the ability to maintain perspective. We get so lazar-focused on that thing that we can’t hear others’ advise, and we certainly can’t hear God.
His solution? Resist temptation, resist following your desires until you’ve vetted them, prayed over them, considered them, and humble ourselves before God...meaning, come to terms with who we are, that we’ve fallen short, and renew that connection with God so we can hear His voice again in our lives. This isn’t a one-and-done deal...this is a lifelong journey. This IS what some would call, “the good fight”, the constant struggle to maintain focus on what matters most.
This is a great reminder today...a great reminder that we should be constantly fighting to maintain the perspective of God’s purpose in our lives, and God’s agenda, and that we should probably get comfortable with the idea that this is a battle we’ll always have to wage. James did at least say that if we resist the devil he will flee us...I don’t think he means completely, but at least there IS hope that as we journey down this road in the RIGHT direction, each progressive step can get easier than the last.