In James 4, the writer discusses sin present in the lives of some Christians — specifically strife and worldliness. Notice verses 1-4:
“Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”
The next words from the writer, in verses 5-6, explain why the problem exists. “Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, ‘The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously’? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’” God wants us to be faithful to Him, rather than to seek friendship with the world. But, men too often do what they want, rather than what God desires. This willfulness, or pride is the problem.
It might not be immediately evident that pride is the cause of either strife or worldliness. But it is. And the cure for these problems is its antonym, humility.
Consider first the problem of strife. Where does conflict come from? James says it comes from “your desires for pleasure that war in your members.” In fact, if I am more concerned with what I want than getting along with others, this self-centeredness will typically end with conflict. This was the case in Philippi, where two ladies were in conflict with each other. Paul exhorted Euodia and Syntyche “to be of the same mind in the Lord” (Philippians 4:2).
How could this be accomplished? Through humility. Paul actually dealt with the issue a couple of chapters before. Consider his words in chapter 2, verses 1-4:
“Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
To be like-minded (or of the same mind in the Lord) it is necessary to look out for the interest of others. One must “in lowliness of mind … esteem others better than himself.”
Most of the strife that occurs among Christians has selfishness at its heart. I want what I want, rather than what another may prefer. I am unwilling to go along with the desires of others. My desires are the most important to me. All it takes is for two people to have this mindset for strife to occur.
The same is true for worldliness. If I am self-centered, with my own gratification my focus, I am going to have a hard time being happy as a Christian. The Christian faith is an expression of love. It requires one to focus on others rather than self. It’s emphasis is selflessness. I do what God wants me to do. I care for others. I try to be hospitable, benevolent, caring. I seek to edify and evangelize. My focus is on building up and converting my fellow man.
Such selflessness is rewarding. As James said, God “gives grace to the humble.” But, the immaturity of the prideful leads him to search for his own benefit and satisfaction rather than that of others.
At its core, this searching for self-gratification is a sign of pride. I am most important, so I will do whatever I want to make myself happy. It is a misguided attitude, and unacceptable to God. The desire for self-gratification leads to enmity with God. We would do well to remember, it is not all about us!
In this, Jesus is a wonderful example. In Paul’s exhortation in Philippians 2, he uses Christ to make his point:
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (5-8).
Because Jesus humbled Himself, we are benefitted. He could have been selfish. He could have been proud, disdaining self-sacrifice for imperfect men. But, He willingly “made Himself of no reputation”, and was humbled to the point of death. This is an example we must follow!
Pride is at the root of most sins. Because it is me, I have a hard time getting outside of myself. But, to please God I must! “But Jesus called them to Himself and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant” (Matthew 20:25-26).
