Can I Have Some Remedy?

(Read James 4:4 - 10)

The Problem: Spiritual Adultery

“You adulterous people!” Some versions say, “Adulteresses!” These are strong words used by James and they have deep implications to the body of Christ. In his letter up to this point he has referred to his readers with affection by calling them “brothers” and “my dear brothers”. His tone changes in this verse as he speaks harshly to them because of the warring and fighting with each other.  Since this is happening they are in fact acting like the rest of the godless world and this is not God's will for the body of Christ. Christians and the Church in particular are called to be unique in our love for one another. However the Church James writes to are embracing the world’s ways (It’s about me and I don’t care what you think) and not God’s (putting others first, forgiveness, peace, and serving).  In doing this they are ultimately committing spiritual adultery with the world. Spiritual adultery always begins with believers having an affair with the world and its ways and ends with individuals becoming enemies of God. When believers start living as the world lives we show where our allegiance truly lies (the world) and God will not share our allegiance with the world.

The Solution: Submit, Resist & Draw Near

God is always willing to give grace to those who humble themselves before him but He is an opponent of pride and self dependency.  James exhorts his listeners to first submit to God. Repentance is what James is calling this beloved congregation to and really what God desires. Submission is the first act of repentance and acknowledge that we are truly dependent on Jesus. The act of submission is one where a person resigns himself to or put into subjection or yielded to someone. As believers we do well in accepting and believing that we are not in control, God is. The sooner we are able to submit ourselves fully to God the sooner we will see that when we do we begin the process of getting on the right track.  Submission is probably one of the most difficult things for many of us because we are giving control of our lives over to someone else (in this case God) and as humans we like to feel like we are in control (even when we know we are not).  

Secondly, we are to resist the devil and he will flee. This can only be done in the power of the Spirit (being completely protected in the armor of God) in complete submission to God. Resistance is key and ongoing (This is part of the daily battle we fight).

Lastly, we are to draw near to God. Godliness is not attained by association. Hanging around godly people does not make one godly. It may give the false appearance of godliness but this doesn’t matter. Once we have submitted to God by putting on the armor God and giving the Spirit dominion over our lives so we can resist sin, desire and temptation daily; we are then able to draw near to God and in so doing He will draw near to us. 

Conclusion

Personal conflict, church fights, splits and disunity happen. It has happened since the beginning of time. Unfortunately it will continue. However we have the key to how to avoid unhealthy conflict in our lives and churches. It is important for us as individuals to seek unity in Christ together, to not be divisive or hurtful with our words and actions, slanderous in our talk and hypocritical in our worship. We should not seek friendship with the world.  We need to be single-minded in our devotion to God. We must submit to God and his will (not our selfish desires), be Spirit-driven so we can resist the devil in his attacks, and draw near to God in our time of worship and in our own private times with Him.  May we be before the Great and Mighty King as we know our place before him and in so doing He will lift us up.