War or Peace?
T.F. Lockyer James 4:1-10 From where come wars and fights among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?… He has just been speaking of peace. But this leads him to survey the actual state of things: disputes, strifes, murders. (For condition of Jewish society at this time, see Plumptre's notes: "rife with atrocities.") And he will ascend to the origin of them. Whence come they? They proceed from the restlessness of the unregenerate nature, seeking, but seeking in vain, its satisfaction in the world. These two topics, then, are introduced to us: dissatisfaction with the world; satisfaction in God. I. DISSATISFACTION WITH THE WORLD. Man's nature consists of higher and lower, spiritual and psychical, the one designed by God to govern and regulate the other. But without such governance the desires of the lower life are riotous and rampant, and the members of the ungoverned man are the battle-ground for base cravings. And from the man himself the battle is projected into the world. 1. But what is the result of this unbridled craving for the world? A nature that is never satisfied. (1) Baffled desires and efforts towards the world. Ever more and more inflamed, for there is a certain infiniteness in man's cravings; ever more and more disappointed, for there is a palling finiteness in the world towards which man's infinite cravings go forth. (2) The non-existence of desires towards God, who alone can satisfy. "Ye ask not" (ver. 2); or, "Ye ask amiss;" not sincerely for God's blessing itself, but merely for the selfish gratification of worldly desires (ver. 3). 2. And what the guilt of this condition? The guilt of absolute ungodliness! (1) The world-desires themselves, unbridled and lawless as they are, are evidence of divorce from God (ver. 4). (2) The spirit of envy which they provoke is absolutely opposed to God (ver. 5). Yes, it is from below. II. SATISFACTION IN GOD. But, it may be said, we are naturally so prone to sin; we covet, we envy, as being to the manner born. Yes, truly; and only God's grace can suffice. But God's grace can suffice, and it is abundantly given (ver. 6). 1. Let us notice the terms upon which this grace is given. (1) Towards God: humility (ver. 10), and submission (ver. 7). (2) Towards the tempter: resistance (ver. 7). (3) Towards sin: repentance (a) of the will - cleansing the hands and purifying the heart (ver. 8); (b) of the feelings (ver. 9). (4) Towards God, again: drawing nigh, as to a Refuge (ver. 8). 2. And the results of this craving after God? (1) God's nearness to man (ver. 8; so John 1:51; John 17:22, 23). (2) Man's exaltation to God (ver. 10). So, virtually, in the ascension of Christ; so actually by-and-by (John 14:3). The same old war in the members, from the beginning until now. It must be put down by a more righteous war. A war which demands all the abounding grace of God. Let us learn, then, sternness towards sin; strong trust towards God. And so he will give the victory. - T.F.L. Parallel Verses KJV: From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? WEB: Where do wars and fightings among you come from? Don't they come from your pleasures that war in your members?