Selfish Desires - Selfish Efforts - Selfish Prayers

(#1061, Imperial, 1964)

Read James 4:1-3.

The source of fightings and wars.

We often apply this text to nations but James is writing to Christians.  He refers to hot arguments among Christians.

ƒ      Lusts that war in your members. 

Remember that this term "lust" refers to desires that are only sinful because we seek to satisfy them outside the realm of God's law.  So here these desires seek their fulfillment in self love and self pleasing.

ƒ      The two natures.

There is a war going on inside the believer between the flesh and the Spirit (Gal. 5:17).  Paul also speaks of this war in Romans 7:15-25.  The victory comes through Christ and our yieldedness to Him (Rom. 7:25; 6:13).

ƒ      Desire used wrongfully, v2.

It leads to quarrels and dissatisfaction.  "We have not."  Ultimately it leads to murder.

The prayer way, v2.

w    If they had been men of prayer this awful condition would not have existed.  They would have been content with whatever God provided.

w    "Ask."  James is saying what Christ says in Matt. 7:7-11.

w    Prayer is an absolute necessity.  Jesus said, "Without me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5).  We are utterly dependent on God.

    1.  God wants to be a Father to us, Mt. 7:7-11.

    2.  Prayer is one of the weapons of our warfare, 2 Cor. 10:4.

    3.  Prayer overcomes the powers of evil, Mt. 6:13; Eph. 6:11,12,18.

    4.  Prayer gives fulness of joy, Jn. 16:24.

    5.  Prayer brings peace, freedom from worry, Phil. 4:6-7.

 

Ask and ye shall receive; seek and ye shall find; knock and the door shall be opened.