James, #8 Worldliness- too much water in the boat! James 4:17

James #8, Worldliness- 4:1-17  God has always demanded that His people be separate from the world, Isa.52:11 & 2Cor.6:  And yet, Christians in the middle of the first century and still today it seems try to blend godliness and worldliness.  Thus James addresses the problem both then and now.  There is a definite separation in His mind and should be in ours, 1John 5:19!

James #8, Worldliness- 4:1-17 I. Exactly what is “Worldliness” ?  According to Webster’s: “of, or relating to, or devoted to this world and its pursuits rather than to religion or spiritual affairs”.  Synonyms: earthly, carnal, fleshly, and temporal.  According to Scripture: >1John 2:15-17 the love of the world >James 1:27 the opposite of unstained >2:1-4 one who judges by earthly standards >2:15-17 one whose faith is dead >3:5-9 one who blesses God and curses man >3:13-16 one who wisdom manifests evil

James #8, Worldliness- 4:1-17 I. Exactly what is “Worldliness” ?  But we must also understand that there are two kinds of worldliness with which the child of God must be concerned: 1) Immoral- worldliness which conflicts with generally or traditionally held moral principles; such as murder, rape, theft, and kidnapping. 2) Moral- worldliness which is generally held as right and acceptable behavior (by the world) such as greed, fornication, lust, covetousness, immodest dress, or even adultery.

James #8, Worldliness- 4:1-17 II. 4:1-2 What is Causes “Worldliness” ?  The Wrong Pleasure Source, v.1 -Quickly, what really gives you pleasure? Were your answers spiritual in nature? Or temporal? -Are you seeking pleasure from the wrong things ? 1Pet.2:11 -Or were your answers along the lines of: resisting/overcoming temptation, 1Cor.10:13-14 helping/witnessing someone obey, Acts 11:21ff turning someone back to truth, James 5:20 worshipping with saints & remembering Christ, John 4:24 Eph.5:19 1Cor.11:24-25?

James #8, Worldliness- 4:1-17 II. 4:1-2 What is Causes “Worldliness” ?  The Wrong Desires, v.2 These brethren had unlawful desires which therefore could not be legitimately attained: Lust, Jas.1:14-15 Envy, the word here translated is the same as in Acts 17:5 which means to “have warmth of feeling for or against: affect, covet (earnestly), (have) desire, (move with) envy, be jealous over, (be) zealous(-ly affect). When we consider what this emotion led the Thessalonians to do (Acts 17:5ff), then we understand why it is called a “work of the flesh” Gal.5:21 Titus 3:3!

James #8, Worldliness- 4:1-17 III. 4:3-6 What are the Consequences of “Worldliness” ?  Unanswered Prayer, v.3 -Unanswered because of impurity : >of motive- “that you spend it on your pleasures” (already noted as improper) 1:5-6 1John 3:22. >of object- if it can be spent on ungodly pleasures, it should not be prayed for! 1John 5:  Spiritual Adultery, v.4a -Isa.54:5-6 Israel’s husband was God -2Cor.11:2 the husband of the spiritual is Christ -Adultery to our husband makes us an enemy.

James #8, Worldliness- 4:1-17 IV. 4:7-10 What is the Cure of “Worldliness” ?  Resist/Submit, v.7 We either: -submit to self/Satan & resist God or-submit to God & resist self/Satan, Rom.6:17-18 >All will submit, Rom.14:11-12 >Many will do so too late. >Satan is a roaring lion, 1Pet.5:8…. but a roaring lion on a chain!  Draw Near to God, v.8 How? “cleanse your hands” v.2 1Tim.2:8 “purify your hearts” 1:14-15 Phil.4:8 1Pet.1:22 “be miserable, mourn, and weep” Rom.12:15 “humble yourselves” Psalm 66:2

James #8, Worldliness- 4:1-17 V. 4:11-17 How do I know if I have a problem with“Worldliness” ? It’s Characteristics:  Speaks Against His Brother, v  Fails to Appreciate the Brevity of Life, vv  Fails to Do According to What He Knows, v.17

James #8, Worldliness- 4:1-17 So, If you have come to know that the “right thing to do” is to come out from the world- it’s lusts, desires, and pleasure sources- and be separate from them, Will you begin right now?