James - Practical Faith
Conquering Conflict (Part 2)
James 4:1-7
What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? James 4:1
And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:6-7
1. Resist Satan
When I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes. 2 Corinthians 2:11
a. We need to resist the devil by being wise to Him
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. 1 Peter 5:8-9
b. We need to resist Satan with faith.
Come close to God, and God will come close to you. James 4:8
2. Draw closer to God
Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. James 4:8
a. Clean up your life
Let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22
b. Have a clear conscience
Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. James 4:9
c. Be sorrowful for the affects of your sins
3. Don’t be critical or judgmental of others
Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor? James 4:11-12
a. Remember who the others are.
b. Remember who God is
c. Remember who you are
4. We are here today and gone tomorrow
Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. James 4:13-14
a. Don’t make future plans without including the Lord
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. James 4:10
b. Humility will keep us from speaking evil of others.
Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. Matthew 7:1-2
Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. James 4:17