The War Within

Pride puts us in opposition against God. When we try to steal some of God’s glory for ourselves, we commit the same sin that caused Satan to be cast out of heaven.

James 4 1a Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. “I am not responsible for the turmoil in my life. It’s not my fault.”

Pride will not allow you to admit that you are guilty. But until you admit that you are guilty, you cannot get forgiveness and healing.

James 4 1b-2a Where They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don’t have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn’t yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it.

Fighting’s on the outside are always a reflection of fighting’s that are going on in the heart. “I want something, and I’m going to do whatever it takes to get it.”

Paul spoke of this kind of internal struggle: Rom 7: It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.

Each of us has a war waging inside of us. That war is caused by the desires that we have. The way that we choose to fulfill those desires and the level of control that we allow them to have in our life determines whether or not that war on the inside is going to lead to a war on the outside.

These stories are a humorous look at stupid things people will do when they envy something. For most of these criminals, they went after money - they probably envied the "easy" life that people with lots of money live. The woman with the camel - she envied the smooth skin and good looks that the "aging" women in Oil of Olay commercials portrayed.

How do you respond when your desires are not met? Do you attack the people that you believe have what you want? Do you criticize them? Do you either intentionally or unintentionally seek to hurt them by talking about them behind their back and destroying their support among the people that know them?

James 4 2b You lust for what you don’t have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn’t yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it. How do you respond when something that you desire is out of your reach?

“The fulfillment of my desires is more important than your life. I am the only thing that matters. Who you are and what you want is insignificant.” We might not ever say those words, but each of us sometimes acts that way.

James You wouldn’t think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you’d be asking for what you have no right to. You’re spoiled children, each wanting your own way. 4-5 You’re cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn’t care? The proverb has it that “he’s a fiercely jealous lover.” And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you’ll find.

So if God calls us to pray to Him, and prayer accomplishes the meeting of our needs, then why do we not pray more? Coming to God means that we have to recognize how weak we are and that we are not self-sufficient. Our pride will not allow us to get down on our knees and ask God, or we really don’t believe in the power of prayer.

“I’ll use God to get what I want, but don’t expect any commitment out of me.” (vs. 3) “If I don’t get what I want, then I’m leaving.” (vs. 4) “I’m going to have control of my life.” (vs. 5) James 4 6 It’s common knowledge that “God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.” GOD SAYS... “I stand against, fight, will stop, will trip up and cause to fall those who are proud, arrogant, self- sufficient. But I will strengthen, help, befriend, encourage the ones who know and admit that they are totally dependent on me and are willing to do things my way.”

James So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.

The Crippling Effects of Envy--Darren Ethier The Cure For Conflict--David Owens Submitting to God--Chris Talton Conditions to Answered Prayer--Ted Sutherland