June 1, 2025

FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WORLD

James 4:1-7

Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:

“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Personal Challenge

As we see a rise in our country of Christian nationalism and pseudo-Christians, this passage from James articulates those things that followers of Christ must focus on keeping out of their lives. Read this passage multiple times and identify what needs to be addressed, repented of, and eliminated from your life, even if it appears to be really minor. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!