Cause and Effect

GETTING STARTED

Beginning at an early age and continuing through high school (I am embarrassed to admit), my brother and I were in constant warfare. We were the worst on family trips, when we were confined for hours to the back seat of the station wagon. Our taunting would lead to pushing, then fighting. A harsh “Y’all stop that right now, or else!” from our parents would usually quiet us down. I can remember thinking, and often saying, “But he started it.” That never helped matters.    

  • Who and what are the sources of your antagonisms?

READ THE WORD: JAMES 4:1-5 (ESV)

4:1 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

(Today’s questions focus on verses 1-5.)

  1. According to verses 1-2, what causes our fights with other people? How does this differ from our society’s commonly held belief?
  2. What reason did James give for why they had not received what they asked for (vs. 3)? What have you recently asked for from God with selfish motives? How did he answer?     
  3. What strong negative images did James use to describe those who pursue friendship with the world (vs. 4)? In what ways have you struggled this week with earthly pursuits?
  4. How does James’ description of God’s jealousy in verse 5 affect your faith and trust in him? 

RESPOND TO GOD

Then and now, James’ question in verse four is a “pause button” for us to consider not only why we are in conflict with other people, but also what this indicates about our trust and faith in God. His simple question prompts us to ask ourselves if we live by faith, dependent on God, and believing that he will provide all we ask for and need. Or alternatively, due to a lack of faith, do our lives reflect an all-consuming pursuit of worldly idols, a type of “spiritual adultery” in the false belief that we are in control of our lives? Take James’ advice today to be dependent on God and pray.

  • Praise God, and take comfort that his love for us never ends and that he yearns for our full devotion to him.