Monday, April 13, 2009

Where do wars and fights come from?

James writes in a debate-like style. After his basic introduction, James starts right in with stating problems and saying what needed to be said to fix the problems. In chapter two it was showing partiality. In chapter three, it was the tongue. Now in chapter four he will address the subject of conflict itself. Why do men choose to sin and put themselves against God or as James writes, "Where do wars and fights come from among you?" These conflicts could be between man and man or they could be between man and God. The answer is still the same, "Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?" (James 4:1).

James uses two different words to describe the conflicts in question. The first word, translated "wars," originally defined a prolonged conflict that included all the smaller, individual battles. For example, this word could describe the American Revolution and it would include the Battle of Lexington and the Battle of Yorktown. The second used, translated "fights," is a description of a single battle. Using our same example above, this word would describe the Battle of Lexington or the Battle of Yorktown, but not both. By using both words, James is including any and all types of conflict. It includes a heated exchange between family members or the rivalry that over time would split a congregation. One problem or the entire series of conflicts all are started by the same source, the pleasures that war in the body.

The battles that happen externally all around us have their origin within us. Two desires are at war with each other within each and every one of us. The combatants are the flesh and the spirit. Although James does not name the two here in his letter, Paul outlines the conflict in Romans 8. The two are the opposite of each other. What the flesh desires, the spirit does not. What the spirit desires, the flesh does not. The flesh and its lusts are for the darkness and carnality of this world. The spirit and its lusts are for the light and the things of God. That is why Paul tells us that, "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God" (Romans 8:5-8). Both sides are seeking to have completeness or happiness, but only one will achieve it.

That is why James writes, "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" (James 4:2). The flesh can never find true peace and happiness. Why is this? The flesh desires things that it does not have. If a fleshly, carnally-minded person decided that they wanted something, they would do whatever it takes to obtain it. Whether it be by murder, stealing, fighting or warring, it makes no difference. Once the person receives what they lusted after, the flesh, by definition, will still want what it does not have. So the flesh continues to fight and war because it continually wants and lusts to fill the hole that can never be filled. The things of the flesh cannot bring peace to anyone. Peace and happiness can only be achieved by following God.

James writes that the way to be at peace and end these petty wars is through prayer to God (James 4:3). They were asking God to end the wars from without and within, but they were not asking for the right things. They prayed for material blessings to bring them peace. Of course, God was not answering their prayers! Why would God give His children something that would only cause them to lust and desire more possessions? If they had prayed to God for wisdom and spiritual maturity then the Father would have given them all they could have wanted (James 1:4). They might have even received some physical blessings because God would have taken care of them in whatever way was best. If they truly needed something, God would provide it. If they were truly following the mind of the spirit, the Father would have done whatever needed to be done. They were more focused on the physical, carnal things around them.

James called them "adulterers and adulteresses" because of their outward profession of faith but their inward dedication to the world. Did they not know that holding on to the lusts and desires for the things of this world puts one at odds with God? Just as the flesh and the spirit war with each other, God and this world are at war. In any war, a person cannot fight for both sides. If we choose to follow this world, we put ourselves against God. If we choose God, then we put ourselves at war with this world. Both sides want us. This world wants what it does not have: Christians. God wants all men everywhere to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4). Which side are you choosing? Being mindful of our thoughts and prayers can help us determine which side of this conflict we are on. God is going to win, will you be on His side?

Jeremy Ferguson

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