James 4:7,8

The Means of Overcoming Fleshly Desire

God, in his great grace, provides a means of overcoming the fleshly desire that is the source of war and strife. He has promised to provide a way of escape from any temptation confronting his followers. He will not allow any of his children to face something they are unable to bear (Romans 5:20-21; 1 Corinthians 10:13). James used a quotation from Proverbs 3:34 to show God works for those who live their lives according to the revelations of his Spirit. God is against those who would put themselves above others, but bestows his unmerited favor upon those who have a lowly spirit and place others above themselves. God has greater grace than any wrong desire we have and he will give us a reward far greater than all we give up (James 4:6; Mark 10:30).

So, instead of yielding to wrongful desire, we should make ourselves subject to God by obeying his will. Paul reminded Timothy that a warrior fights for his leader and carefully avoids being turned aside by desires which might lead him contrary to that leader's will (2 Timothy 2:3-4). We must stand in battle array, which is the idea of the word "resist," against the devil. To do this, we must put on the Christian armor (Ephesians 6:10-18) and stand steadfastly for God in loving obedience to his will that the victory might be ours (1 Corinthians 15:58; Hebrews 10:39). If we do stand against the devil, he will run from us (James 4:7; Compare Matthew 4:1-11).

Having resisted the devil, we should draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to us. The way to draw nigh to God is through purification. The reference here would have caused Jewish converts to remember the cleansing of the priests before they performed their duties (Exodus 30:17-21). Sin will not allow us to get close to God (Isaiah 59:1-2). So, we must be cleansed from our sins (Acts 22:16). The heart is critical in such cleansing because the issues of life flow out of it (Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 15:19-29). Our cleansing comes from obeying the truth (James 4:8; 1 Peter 1:22).