“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” (James 4:4-10 NIV)
In this post-modern society, every one wants a positive message. A wise preacher wouldn’t call a congregation “adulterous.” Yet, someone must warn people of their pride. And that is the preacher’s responsibility.
No one wants to have his/her behaviors challenged. This is the age of personalized religion . . . every person’s ways being right in his/her own eyes. Who decides what is friendship and what constitutes hatred? Today’s passage is very clear: “Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”
Choosing to be the friend or foe of God is the real issue. And let us not deceive ourselves, the Scripture teaches that our spirit fights against his Spirit. We are like impetuous children demanding their own way with no regard for others. Naturally, children do not see the dangers of the “my way” attitude, but the wise and good parent will always oppose such wayward behavior. Hence, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Herein lies the problem for preachers. The people want to know how to resist the devil but they do not want to submit their ways to God. Such an attitude is a paradox because the idea of resisting an enemy without submission to an ally is ludicrous. It takes humility to admit that the enemy cannot be defeated without help from a friend. It takes humility to admit that one’s own ways might not be the right ones. Yes, it takes humility to submit to God, but when we do THEN we can resist the devil and THEN our resistance will be effective.
Humility . . . everyone wants it . . . no one likes submission. Washing the hands, drawing near, purifying the heart, grieving and mourning are metaphors for spiritual acts of humility. Humility requires us to change our attitudes . . . laughter to mourning . . . joy to gloom. Not easy at all, but if we will “humble ourselves before the Lord, He will lift us up.” His way defeats the enemy. Isn’t that our goal?
Dear Father, thank you for your way of victory. Empower us with humility that we might be exalted by your grace. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today in your friendship with God,