Worldliness hinders the work of the church and has a ruinous effect on the faith and witness of Christian. It infiltrates by disguising itself within the sinful nature of people (like a trojan horse). It labors to sow and cultivate the institutions, value systems, and moral standards of the world which is ruled by Satan (cf., 2 Cor 4:4, Eph 2:1-2) within a community of believers. Though many profess to be children of God, they live in (and promote) a worldly way that is incompatible with the ordinances, principles, and values of the Kingdom of God. In this chapter of his letter, James shines a light on worldliness that has caused division in the church, thus he challenges the reader, “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you?” (v1). He spotlights the primary fruits of the world’s tree (selfish ambition, self-centeredness) as the cause for corruption of the heart. He offers the following Biblical antidotes we should daily administer to our hearts.
#1 – Be on your guard against divided affections. When driving, we can encounter three-way stop intersections where we must decide to go left or right. While making our decision, we quickly conclude it is impossible to attempt to go both ways at the same time. We can only travel in one direction (at a time) successfully. Likewise, sometimes we attempt to obey God and our earthly desires at the same time. This effort is futile for the ways God is opposed to those of this world. As an illustration, they are two different streets that go in opposite directions, and have two very different ends (Mt 7:13-14). We cannot (concurrently) pursue our own will and God’s. The truth of the matter is this: to seek the delights of this world is to turn our backs on God. Remember Jesus’ words, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other…” (Mt 6:24). James rightly highlights the spiritual condition of such persons, “You adulterous people!” (v4). In other words, just as a husband cannot offer his affections to a woman he is not married to and claim to be in the right relationship with his wife, neither can a Christian claim to love God and be enamored with the world. Remember, we serve a Jealous God, and he will not abide with his children’s companionship with the world, thus James reminded, “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (v4). Aligning our lives with the institutions, value system and moral standards of this world, is to live a life opposed to the Word of God. Be cautioned, the world is passing away and all that is in it. To love this world is to have no hope nor future. God does not want this for his people (1 Jn 2:15-17).
#2 – Be on your guard against following earthly desires. God will not share possession of his people with another. James reminds us, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us?” (v5). Since the beginning of creation, God made man his image and likeness that we would live as he does, in perfection and holiness. Because of the fall, the spirit of man (nature) has been corrupted by sin and death (Rom 5:12). For a Christian, we have two natures dwelling within us: the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:16-17) and our human spirit. The spirit of man is naturally bent to hate God. A Bible commentator adds, “It longs for the pleasures of this world and perversely seeks its friendship.” Man’s nature is empowered by human pride which seeks its own good and glory. God shall not abide with this disposition, thus James uses the scriptures to prove his point, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (v6, cf., Prv 3:34, 6:17).
Worldliness is fueled by human pride. It is through arrogance that we deceive ourselves into believing we can love God and the world at the same time. We learn from James this is impossible. The Christian should resist (by the Spirit) being led by our selfish ambitions that loves the world and the things in it. Instead we should clothe ourselves with humility which gives us access to the grace and favor of God. A love for God follows him only. A love for God accepts his Word as the ultimate authority for one’s life. A love for God takes side with Him against the adulterous spirit of our human nature. Why? Because a love of self, leads us away from God into the congregation of his enemies.
Let us pursue God. Let us trust Him over ourselves. When we do, we shall receive the promised blessings of His grace and future. Better is God’s way than our own (Prv 3:5-8). Amen.
Blessings,
Dr. Jason S. Price, Th.D.
www.springoflivingwaters.com