James - Stop Fighting

Show Notes

If your relationships aren’t right, you aren’t right. 

It’s not enough to just be right in information, we must also be right in heart.

James 4:1-2 What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? 2 You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. 

Quarrels (Polemois) - Long term hostility; long standing argument

Fight (Maxache) - Short-term battles; disputes

1. PRIORITY

Philippians 2:3-4 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.

2. Possessions 

James 4:2 You want what you don’t have…

3. Pleasures 

James 4:3 …you want only what will give you pleasure.

4. People

John 12:43 For they loved human praise, more than the praise of God.

5. Position / Power 

James 4:2b You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, 

Galatians 5:26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

conceited - empty glory 

#1 Realize How Destructive Fighting Is

Ephesians 4:31 Quarreling, harsh words, and  dislike for others should have no place in your lives.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              2 Timothy 2:24 A servant of the lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and patient with the people.

Proverbs 17:14  Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam, so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.

#2 Stop Expecting Of People What Only God Can Give.

“you complete me”

James 4:3 You do not have because you do not ask God. 

“When I have learnt to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now. When first things are put first, second things are not suppressed but increased.” ― C.S. Lewis

We find real completion only in God. 

Psalm 37:4–5 Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.

#3 Choose Humility Over Prideful Anger 

James 4:6 As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 So humble yourselves before God.

Proverbs 13:10 Pride leads to conflict.

opposes - a full frontal resistance… to set yourself in battle formation against someone…

James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. 

lift you up - to raise to the very summit of opulence and prosperity.

#4 Recognize The Real Source Behind The Fight

James 4:7 Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  

James 4:8 

#5 Get God's Perspective And Presence 

James 4:7-10 

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