James 4

In chapter four, James addresses the issue of motive. In Greek, the phrase "wrong motives" carries the connotation of one miserably ill and diseased.[1] Martin Luther described it as incurvatus in se, in which humanity is guilty of curving in on themselves. From James's perspective, this is the root cause of conflict within the church and the reason specific prayers go unanswered (James 4:1-3). Our motives have become twisted, focused on ourselves rather than God and other-centered, and this lust for our own way leads us to murder, if not literally then figuratively, because we kill our relationship with God and with others when we act according to our own self-interest. This is the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4.

James speaks candidly with the Body, indicating that when we do so, we commit adultery against the Lord, seeking to appease the appetites of the flesh and the world at the expense of our relationship with God. He reminds us that "whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God" (James 4:4 NASB95). James continues to explain that the heart of God longs for us to be filled with His Spirit (James 4:5). The Spirit alone can untangle us from our selfish bent, which is rooted in pride.

Pride demands its own way and is inconsiderate of others. It is selfish. James reminds us that “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6 NASB95). Humility is a key characteristic of living the good life as God requires, so much so that the enabling power of grace is given to those who will seek to operate within it. However, God actively opposes those who operate from pride. Considering this, James encourages the church to submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee (James 4:7). James is specific about the order that resistance is only possible after we submit to God. Only in this context can we see the enemy flee from the situations in which pride has gained the upper hand.

Submission is the act of humility, and it is only in this context that we can draw near to God. If intimacy is the goal, humble submission to the Lord is the prerequisite. James explains that if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us (James 4:8). However, to draw close, we must cleanse our hands and purify our hearts. We must initiate it. This echoes King David's admonition that to ascend to the hill of the Lord, one must have "clean hands and a pure heart," and not lift "up his soul to falsehood" (Ps. 24:4 NASB95). He is reminding them that we are all sinners, and the only appropriate response to being selfishly bent is mourning (James 4:9). As Paul told the church at Corinth, "For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death" (2 Cor. 7:10 NASB95). When we repent and humble ourselves before the Lord, God's reaction is to lift us up (James 4:10). God's response to the repentant is restored fellowship!

James then applies these principles practically to the conflicts occurring within the Body. He reminds us that when we speak against a brother/sister in Christ, we are acting as a judge of the law of God rather than a doer of the law (James 4:11). Important to note, is that James is not referring to the Mosaic Law, but the law of liberty of James 1:25. Our freedom is not meant to be used to issue judgments and render verdicts on fellow Christians. Only God can save and destroy, and so our focus should be squarely on loving our neighbor in the broadest sense (James 4:12).

James follows this up with a reminder on the fleeting nature of life. He discusses how we make plans in advance, but cannot know what the future holds, and, like vapor, we are here today and gone tomorrow (James 4:13-14). Rather than remaining confident in the plans of our hearts, we should humbly submit to the will of God, knowing He alone determines our future (James 4:15). James reasserts that their arrogance and boasting, which is rooted in pride that has led to internal conflict is evil, and therefore “to one who knows to do the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:16-17 NASB95).

James does not want the church to posit correctly and act contrary to what they are asserting. In Chapter Four, James makes the case that when our actions do not align with our words, we are sinning, and it is evil at its essence to claim to know what is right yet behave in a manner that contradicts our beliefs. He is calling the church to an ethic of action that stands in opposition to the world with humility, resisting pride and self-interest, and that exhibits a sincere love of God and neighbor by prioritizing God's will and the best interests of the neighbor.

[1] “Kakos,” Blue Letter Bible, accessed 1 August 2025, G2560 - kakōs - Strong's Greek Lexicon (nasb95)