I don’t think anyone would admit that he is God’s enemy. We each want to consider ourselves “friend[s] of God”, like Abraham (2 Chronicles 20:7; James 2:23). Or one after God’s “own heart”, like David (1 Samuel 13:14). However, it can be safely said that most make themselves enemies of God because they embrace the world rather than righteousness.
“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” (James 4:4).
Consider this truth carefully. God has created us for the purpose of serving Him. He requires righteousness, faith and obedience. But, many selfishly and presumptuously choose a different path. It is axiomatic, if you freely choose NOT to put God first in your life, to choose your own path rather than his, you are making yourself a friend of the world and an enemy of God.
What we are talking about is not merely apathy. Worldliness is tantamount to putting yourself at odds with God. Why is this true? Consider the fifth verse of James 4. “Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? While many are unconcerned with the choices they make, God yearns for our obedience. He takes disobedience close to heart. He considers it to be disloyal. It upsets Him.
Is it insignificant to you to use profanity? To lie? To drink? To disregard your duties to live for Christ? To spend your time and effort on “your pleasures” (3) rather than on service to God? In effect, is it nothing to you to choose to decide your own path rather than submitting to the will of God? Then you are proud!, and you have made yourself an enemy of God.
That’s what worldly actors, musicians, sports stars, politicians, i.e. most of our famous people, do. They do what they want. They decide to please themselves. They become friends with the world, choosing that friendship rather than being seen as peculiar and extreme in their life. In arrogance they choose their way rather than God’s way. Consider what James wrote, “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble’” (James 4:6).
Why not try the opposite?! “Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:9-10).
