Worldly Desires

Read James 4:1-12 

The title of James 4:1-12 in the ESV version is “Warning Against Worldliness.” What James wrote in his letter is still happening in the present—division and slander because of our selfish desires. When we want something, we want it our own way. Verses 2-4 says, “Think again. 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 (MSG).” 

This reality has been happening since the old times. Invasion, wars, genocides, adultery, and many more. All these happen not only in movies. These happen on a daily basis around the world. James says that the solution is wisdom from above. We believers should always seek to grow in holiness. The focus should not be ourselves and how we will satisfy our own appetite, but to always seek what can be honoring to God and how to advance the purposes of the kingdom of God. God knows our needs, God knows what is enough, and God knows how to bless more than enough, not for ourselves but to bless others. Whenever we bring requests before God, it purifies our own desires. The only way to resist the devil is by submitting and drawing near to God.