THE CAUSE OF CONFLICTS – James 4:1-3

Posted by Pastor Greg Allen on June 20, 2012 under AM Bible Study |

AM Bible Study Group; June 20, 2012

James 4:1-3

Theme: The cause of conflicts without is the presence of inordinate passions within.

(Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are taken from The Holy Bible, New King James Version; copyright 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc.)

James words in this morning’s passage follow on the heels of his warning against the danger of a prideful, ‘worldly’ kind of wisdom (3:3-18; especially verses 14-16)—a sort of wisdom that is not characterized by a peaceful unity and advancement of godliness, but by “bitter jealousy and selfish ambition”. It’s natural that he would then ask his readers the following question, “What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you?” James’ answer to that question introduces us to 4:1-10—which is one of the harshest passages in his entire letter. It teaches us that quarrels and fighting are the product of a kind of spiritual “adultery”—an adultery in which we have become unfaithful to the God who loves us and gave Himself for us, and seek satisfaction instead in that which is in a state of enmity against Him. It’s a sin that, once discovered, requires from us an earnest and immediate action, a heart-felt and sorrowful repentance, and a deeply humble submission before God.

What a contrast this is to what people typically think about wars and conflicts. Most people think these come from external causes. In fact many people build entire sociological cures for conflict around changing and controlling strictly external matters. Such efforts, however, ignore the internal reality of sin in human nature—which is really were the conflicts and struggles are rooted. God plainly declares the matter to be an internal one in His word (Isaiah 57:20-21; 2 Timothy 3:1-5). In this new section of his letter, James shows us first that the cause of quarrels between us as believers is a “lust for pleasures” (vv. 1-3); then that the character of that lust for pleasures is love for that which is in enmity with God—a worldly system that is at odds with His gracious purposes for the believer (vv. 4-5); and finally that the cure of this love for the world (and thus the lust for pleasures, and the quarrels they cause) is for us as believers to humble ourselves before God in repentance and restoration (vv. 6-10).

This morning, we’ll look at the first three verses—which teach us the basic cause of quarrels. In them, we see that . . .

I. CERTAIN PASSIONS WAGE WAR IN US (v. 1).

A. In verse 1, James asks, “Where do wars and fights come from among you?” Then he answers, “Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?” In calling them “pleasures” (or “desires” as it’s translated in the New International Version), James does not mean “pleasures” or “desires that are legitimate; but that are, by nature, in opposition to the things of God. This is the same word Jesus used in His ‘Parable of the Soils’ to describe what it is that chokes out the progress of His word in someone’s life (Luke 8:14).

B. As this passage plainly shows us, these destructive “passions” are not just a characteristic of unsaved people. When James speaks of “wars and fights from among you”, he shows that they are a matter of concern to us as Christians. And similarly, these passions are described by James as “pleasures that wage war [or as the famous expositor William Barcley translated it, ‘carry on a constant warring campaign’] in your members” (see Romans 7:18-24; Galatians 5:16-17). This would mean that the “desires for pleasure” from which those conflicts arise are also found in us as believers.

II. THESE PASSIONS PRODUCE CONFLICTS BETWEEN US (v. 2a).

A. Great pagan philosophers have noted the reality of what James is saying; and in words very similar to his. Plato said, “The sole cause of wars and revolutions and battles is nothing other than the body and its desires.” Cicero said, “From desires there spring hatred, schisms, discords, seductions and wars.” Lucian said, “All these things have as their fountain-head the desire for more.” As the apostle Paul noted, “For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another . . .” (Titus 3:3).

B. James goes on, then, to describe how these sinful inner-passions lead to outer conflict. “You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war . . .” James here describes the pattern by which we fall into conflicts:

1. There is an unsatisfied desire. The word he uses for “lust” means “to set one’s heart on something” or “to desire longingly for something”. The NIV translates this simply, “You want something . . .” The “desire” may be a normal and natural one; and the object desired may be morally neutral in and of itself. But the problems begin when that “want” or “longing” for something that the heart is set on is unsatisfied—when you “lust and do not have”.

2. Then, there is a resentful attitude. James uses the word for “zeal” to describe one of the emotions that is felt; also translated “covet” in some translations of the Bible. It describes a strong feeling toward something or someone. But he also refers to ‘murder’ (Matthew 5:21-22; James 2:8-11; 1 John 3:15). “Murder” occurs every time we ‘diss-’ someone else in some way—whether in thought, or word or deed. And so, there is a sense in which a “resentful attitude” quite easily becomes a “murderous” one.

3. Finally, there is open conflict. Even though all that James has described so far has been internal, such internal passions boil and bubble in us, and eventually they break out into external acts.

III. THESE PASSIONS RESULT IN “ENMITY” BETWEEN GOD AND OURSELVES (vv. 2b-3).

A. Note that, in verse 2b, James says, ““Yet you do not have because you do not ask.” This enmity between ourselves and God shows itself in the fact that we don’t bring our desires before God in prayer in the first place. What a tragic thing this is for people in the household of God! It’s our privilege to find our ultimate satisfaction in Him; and to bring our every concern to Him in prayer (Matthew 6:33; 7:7-8; 1 Peter 5:7; Psalm 73:25-26). How it must break His heart when His own children don’t come to Him with their needs. Doesn’t it betray in us a lack of confidence and faith in Him when we don’t bring our desires to Him in the first place; and rest contentedly in His answer?

B. But in verse 3, James speaks of an enmity in our hearts toward God in a second way; “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” In Matthew 7:9-11, we’re taught that our wise Father, who looks into our hearts, knows what our motives are when we ask for something. And He will never give us something that we intend to squander and waste in a selfish, self-gratifying way. That would be bad for us. God wisely says “no” to such requests.

* * * * * * * * * *

Examine yourself on this for a moment. Are you, right now, in a state of conflict with someone? It may not have come to swords flashing just yet. It’s probably been a matter of harsh words, or of giving someone the ‘silent treatment’. But within, you know that you’re harboring ill-will, resentment, anger—perhaps even hatred and a desire to get even.

If you, with God’s help, look honestly at the matter, you’ll be able to trace it to the “pleasures that wage war in your members.” It may be that something happened to injure your pride, which thwarted your desire to be thought of highly by others. It may be that you were jilted out of something you wanted, which thwarted your desire to “possess” it as your own. It may be that someone disregarded one of your felt needs, and so thwarted your desire for those needs to be gratified. Somehow or other, it can be traced back to “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life” (1 John 2:15-16; cf. also Gen. 3:6 and Matthew 4:1-11).

If that’s where you are right now, please pay careful attention in our study of the verses that follow. You must become alert to the matter as it’s described in verses 1-3; and follow God’s pattern in verses 4-10 for ridding yourself of the cause of such ungodly conflicts.