James 4:1-6

v1-2a: What is the cause of so many fights and disputes in this world and in our lives? It is envy and “a sinful desire for worldly things and of setting too great a value on worldly pleasures.” It is from one or more of these three lusts from within our hearts, a “lust for power..., a lust for pleasure, a lust for riches,” that “all the fighting, battles, and wars in the world” arise. A powerful work of the Spirit is needed to make our hearts content and satisfied.

v2b-3: “Sinful desires and feelings generally exclude prayer.” They either prevent you from making your requests to God or they will “spoil your prayers and make them detestable to God whenever you offer them to him.” When your prayers are not being answered, consider whether you are asking for the right reasons or in the right way. Are you asking so that you may glorify God? Are you praying with faith and fervency?

v4-5: It is dangerous to “set [your] heart on the world,” and to “place [your] happiness in it, and seek to become like it.” Not only will this produce a tendency towards envy and to fighting and quarrelling for the sake of these things you do not have, it makes you unfaithful to God and puts you in the position of being one of His enemies. You cannot have friendship with God while giving your “best affections to the world.”

v6: “Proud people resist God.” They do this in their understanding as “they resist the truths of God.” They do this in their will as “they resist the laws of God.” They do this in their passions as “they resist the providence of God.” The warning to the proud is that “God sets himself against” them. Therefore, “we should resist pride in our hearts,” and humble ourselves before God and depend on Him to give the grace that we need to live for Him each day.