James 4 - Introduction

1. Outline:

1. The Real Cause Of Their Problems: James 4:1-3

2. Friendship With The World: James 4:4-5

3. Genuine Repentance: James 4:6-10

4. Sobering Thoughts: James 4:11-12

5. Trust verses Arrogance: James 4:13-17

1. Introductory Comments:

In this chapter we find the disastrous consequences involved in following the wrong kind of wisdom. We cannot think like the world and yet not act like the world or avoid the type of problems which plague those in the world. In addition, we cannot think like the world and avoid problems in the local congregation."James is here setting before his people. basic question-----Whether is your aim in life to submit to the will of God, or to gratify your own desires for the pleasures of this world? And his warning is that, if pleasure is the policy of life, then nothing but strife and hatred and division can possibly follow' (Barclay p. 115). "What we do results from what we are. Characteristics flow from character. Human actions are the product of the ruling principles that guide us. It is not true that we sometimes "act without thinking". Every action is the result of. decision. It may be. hasty decision or one prompted more by emotion than by reason, but in every case the mind has had. choice, which has then been pursued. James has been describing these ruling principles as "wisdom" (James 3:13-18)…….As Christians today assess their lives, there are some questions to be asked that may help identify the ruling principle behind their actions. What activities do we tend to emphasize? What matters upset us most easily? When crisis comes, what factors take precedence? In unpleasant situations, does our personal contribution tend to pacify or to cause strife?" (Kent pp. 139-140).

Unfortunately, some people read the following chapter and conclude that since these Christians had some big problems, we can persist in our own sins. Or, since various Christians in the First Century were worldly-minded, we can remain worldly-minded. Such. view of these and other passages fails to realize that God was expecting such individuals to repent or else (James 4:4).