TEXT: James 4:5-10
Theology
- There is a very strong desire to ruin the spirit that is habituating in you [James 4:5]. This strong desire belongs to God because you are an enemy of His, loves and is a friend of the World [James 4:4]; which its wisdom is demonic [James 3:15] and results in confusion, discord and every evil thing [James 3:16].
- However, God’s Grace is greater than his strong desire to destroy you and gives this Grace to you [James 4:5] and this is the Gospel. Jesus died, bore your sins, God took out His strong desire to ruin you on Jesus [1 Peter 2:24].
- Therefore, you must not be proud, have coveting, evil desires, selfish ambition in your hear but be humble in heart to receive this Grace [James 1:21, 4:6]. God’s Grace is bigger than you.
- You can only resist the devil, sin and evil if you submit, humble yourself & draw near to God through the name of Jesus [James 4:7-10]
Application
- Why & how does someone “move away” from God? Is there a part of your life that you have pushed God out of? Perhaps, in your singleness, relationships, parents, work or education? Do you glorify God in all those aspects, sincerely or do you just “say it”?
- James says our hands are dirty, how did we “dirty” our hands? What does it mean to have “blood on your hands” and does that apply to the Gospel?
- James tells us our hearts need to be purified. What got in our hearts that made them unclean? Think about a time something crept into your heart and analyze how that affected your life, decisions and relationships.
- James commands us to be “miserable, mourn, weep” and turn our “joy to gloom”. How is that going help you love Jesus? What is James ask you to realize about your sin? How does it look in the eyes of Jesus?
Prayer
- Read Exodus 20:5; 1 Corinthians10:13; James 1:2-5; and 1 Peter 5:6-7 and adore/praise God for His care and concern for your soul.
- Confess any sin in your life that you need to return and repent from. Realize your hearts status and receive His reward.
- Thank God for the scriptures you can read and have Grace administered to you.
- Ask God to use the Holy Spirit this week to seek and analyze your heart for any sins of covetousness, evil desires, selfish ambition, lack of response to God’s work, God’s word and God’s people.
Grace & Peace, You Are Loved,
Judson
