Faith that Submits • 09.22.24
Jack Flaherty   -   September 24, 2024

Faith That Submits

James 4:1-12

Why Christians must be submitted to God

  1. Our desires produce conflict
  2. Our God desires to give grace
  3. Only one can save and destroy

 

Good morning! My name is Jack Flaherty, and I am blessed to serve as one of the pastors at Harvest and am very excited to open up God’s Word together this morning. Before we do, lets dismiss our 4th-5th graders. The rest of us open our Bibles to James 4 as we continue in our series titled Faith that Works. Ushers and Bibles.

 

As you turn there I would like to start with a question: How do you tell someone that they need to do something different? Two options. One, point out the consequences of doing what they’ve been doing. Two, point out the benefits of doing something better! Puritan Thomas Chalmers calls this latter idea, framed in the positive,  “The Expulsive Power of the New Affection.” It’s the idea that even something you like might be expelled or blown away when introduced to something better.  You might then call that former idea, framed in the negative, “The Repulsive Power of the Old Affections.” Once seeing how horrific and disgusting what you use to like is, you will flee from it for something better. Regardless of if persuaded one way or the other we are moving on to something better! And I might add that this moving on requires a dose humility and willingness to submit to the obvious need for change! This is what we see today in James 4:1-12 as we discuss the idea of Faith that Submits.

 

This section explains what happens when those of faith find themselves wanting what they want MORE THAN they want to submit to and please Jesus. When we think we have the answers, especially compared to those around us, that results in battling rather than the fruit of peace mentioned to end chapter 3. This ought not be so for Christians! So we will ask and answer Why Christians must be submitted to God. James lovingly but bluntly use both sides of the coin to show believers why their faith ought to be evidenced in desires that are submitted to God.

 

You might ask, “Wait a minute, aren’t desires something deep down inside you? Part of your nature? That can’t change!” That’s a good to be wrestling with. But let’s pause to consider the reality of the human being. We have an outer man, our physical body that certainly we expect can be changed. We see it happening, sometimes when we don’t want it to! We have an inner man or heart/soul which biblically is described in three ways.

  • Thinking/Cognition refers to what one believes and how they interprets the world. Of course we think this can change which is why education, whether from school or social media, is something we pursue and encourage our kids to as well.
  • Choices/Volition refers to what one is committed to and thus forms the basis for the choices that they make. Again, not only can this change but often times we need and want it to. If we didn’t think this was a reality why do we have some many advertisements, especially this political season!
  • Desires/Affections refers to what we desire and feel emotionally. Feelings are good and God given and do indicate something going on in us as a response to the world around us. And these can change too. I had a different response to veggies when younger than I do now. The music that hits me in the feels is different. Affections change too.

This is the last one is what we often get hung up on. Probably because connect feelings tightly to our ID.  But the question is, if we believe (without even turning to Scripture as proof thus far) that we can change in every other way, why not what we desire? James today argues that desires not only can but must be changed if you claim to walk with Jesus. Not only must the change, but we need to humbly be willing to see what desires are causing problems in our lives. That’s the key, were quick to see how others need to change, but what about our own desires? My prayer is that through his Word and by the power of the Holy Spirit you will be willing in faith to submit your desires to God. Read James 4:1-4. The first reason Christians must submit to God is…

 

  1. Our desires produce conflict (v1-4)

James continues to build on what we have seen—that if we have truly been saved by Jesus and brought into God’s family then our lives ought to bear the family resemblance. Last week we saw that our speech is crucial evidence of this (donkey in lion’s skin example). The type of wisdom, or applied knowledge, we are utilizing comes out in our words. We ended in 3:18 seeing how the wisdom of God brings the fruit of peace. Wisdom of world is evidenced brings conflict, disorder, and evil that is the result of envy and self-ambition. This is where we find ourselves in ch 4 as James addresses conflict that is apparently happening in the community of faith. James illustrates by discussing how the conflict rages on three fronts and where the conflict comes from.

 

First, our desires bring conflict within ourselves

We see a question in v1b with an assumed affirmative answer. Where do the fights and quarrels come from (repeated for emphasis)? They are inside of you! “YOUR passions.” The word passion used in v1 & v3 is never positive in the NT. It’s not what he did or she said OR what she didn’t do or what he didn’t say. It’s not the circumstances  around you that are to blame. All this and more are simply stimuli that result in your heart being revealed! Classic illustration: why did coffee come out of the cup when I bumped you during worship? Because coffee was in the cup. Inside of us are warring desires that spill out. Don’t be so quick to skip right over the fact that there is a war for the territory of our hearts. War has the end goal of claiming victory! Something is always grabbing our affections and wanting to sit on the throne. James tells us here just like he did in James 1:12-18 that temptation comes from within. The fighting that happens out there, starts because something is trying to take over in here. John Owen in his book on Indwelling Sin says “the problem upon the souls of men is the promises of pleasures on the one hand and threats of deprivation of all sensual contentment and infliction of temporal evils on the other. This logic succeeds in the minds of men and oftentimes on believers. Unless men be prepared to reject that reasoning, which they will offer to themselves from the one hand and the other, there is no standing before the power of this law of desire.”

 

Writing to Christians, James reminds them that God has saved you and won the ultimate battle for your soul, but he is still claiming the territory of your passions one degree at a time. Sin is waging war on us using US and does so by attacking our affections. YOUR own desires will take advantage of every occasion to break in upon your soul! The promise of pleasure or the threat of missing out both causes us to war against a desire to please Jesus! Though certainly not all the time, when left alone our desires as fallen human beings are naturally inclined to be self-focused. But Christian brother or sister, Jesus saved us to be God focused. Not only that but…

Second, our desires bring conflict with each other (v1-2)

Incase this theme of conflict was not clear James illustrates is bright colors. Desire and don’t get so you murder. And not that literally they killed each other but that is the end of our frustrated wants. You can’t get what you covet/lust after, so you fight and quarrel. Again sometimes we suppress the external, but fighting is the end outcome of our envy. “I will sin to get it or sin because I don’t get it.” The outward fruits of the passions at war within us are fights and quarrels with others. These two terms “fights and quarrels” used in v1-2 speak to the war in general and the battles in specific. You might say James is speaking to both the acute and the chronic conflicts. Regardless, don’t deceived yourself thinking your desires are just for you to deal with. OR that you can keep them in check and never have issues with others. Every conflict between you’ve ever been in is due to desire at play, in one or both hearts, that isn’t submitting to Jesus.

 

Now conflict resolution is not the point of this sermon so not going more in depth on that here. But I’d encourage to ask more questions or check out “Peacemakers” series from last year. Also the point here is not for us to go to someone and say “See I told you that you had something going on that needed fixed.” Yes, we do see James use the word “you” here a lot. And at times it is absolutely appropriate to speak into each other’s lives. The warning we are to see here is that we are not to be the ones judging other heart motives and desires in the midst of conflict. The first step is to say where am I going wrong? And this is serious. Because there is one more front the battle is being fought that’s even more important.

 

Finally, our desires bring conflict with God (v3-4)

Conflicts come from our desires, wanting to please self rather than God. Guess what that means? We’ve just replaced God! This is not good news for us! This first is shows up in v3 as desires even warp what I ask for.  “Desires unmet so you lash out. Desires unmet because you don’t petition God. Petitions unmet because you ask selfishly!” I might encourage you to read 1 Peter 5 and see how prayer and humility/submission go hand and hand. Prayerlessness and pride go together too. One commentator said “There is failure to pray for needs because you’re focused on praying for greeds.” How’s that showing up in your prayer life? This is the way of the world, thinking we are all that and a bag of chips. That we’re in charge. That we sit on the throne of our hearts. That we’re the captain now and don’t need God. These are fighting words against the true KING!

 

And v4 makes that strikingly clear! Forget the brothers stuff, this is hard hitting! Christian brother or sister, when you are proud and don’t submit your desires to God you are committing spiritual adultery! Submitting our desires/passions/wants to God isn’t easy, I know I am not claiming that. But want to talk about repulsive power of old affections, what’s worse than committing adultery against God?! When we try to cozy up to the ways of the world we are becoming an enemy with God! Want to be a friend of the world? Then you are not on God’s side. These are fighting words!

 

So often we do this in such little, mundane, daily ways we forget that this is war for the territory of our souls. Do you realize any giving into the worldly desires and wisdom and actually failing to be wholly devoted to God? That’s how we kicked off this series! I don’t want to be too specific in prescribing here but at risk of binding your conscience. But I do ask you to consider carefully what are you allowing yourself to be desiring and passionate about? My mom would always tell me garbage in, garbage out. The things we allow to grab our attention start grabbing out affections and pulling us towards the world. Friendship here has nothing to do with being in the world not of it. Telationship evangelism which I think we all understand to be effective. The idea here is approvingly coming alongside sin rather than righteousness. In what ways are you tempted to draw near to the world? In what ways are you tempted to resist God? Do we always know what we want? No. But slow down and recognize that is the problem #1 and #2 be willing to ask what am I wanting and is that in submission to the desire to please Jesus?

 

Laid on pretty thick to start. James points out what we don’t want! Conflict all around. So submit to God and turn from the wicked things spelled out here! See the repulsive power of old affections and be renewed from the inside out! The things within us, EVEN for Jesus followers, need remaking by God. Need aligned with his grace. And our gracious God desires good for us. Which brings us to second reason Christians must continue to submit to God. Let’s see what God desires for us as we read James 5:5-10. Second reason Christians must submit to God…

 

  1. Our God desires to give grace (v5-10)

The tough words of v4 now seem to zoom back to some glorious realities v5-6 appeal to what has been written in the OT. I love how v5 speaks to the purpose of the writing. This hits on something Adventure Club has been studying, the Bible is written by God SO THAT the man of God might be equipped. So we might see our poor desires AND we might see God’s better desires. The word for “yearns” is only every positive. Contrast that with the desires we have, this is a good desire of the Creator for creation. And specifically he desires to have the spirit he made to dwell in us. Most likely reference is to the OT concept of breath in our lungs. God wants our whole lives! He wants everything we got including our desires to be purposed for him! James says that’s the purpose for what we have in the Scriptures, is to remind us we were made to relate to him as our loving king AND that God strongly desires that for us! He wants us to surrender our desires to his desires! Not about ME but about HE!

 

And the reference is a bit confusion . Though v6 is a direct quote of Proverbs 3:34 according to the Greek OT, not sure exactly where v5 is. One helpful way to think about it is v5 and beginning of v6 are a loose summary to give context for the quote. Look at the verse in its entirety and be the judge. Proverbs 3:33-35 “The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous. 34 Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor. 35 The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.”  Another plausible option is that this is a principle is drawn out of OT in general–which is true.

 

But the main vibe is clear: there is something better than being in charge. Its submitting to a God who years/desires for you! And it gets better in v6. He gives MORE grace. Literally GREATER GRACE! Don’t we need some of that! It follows with “therefore God opposes proud and gives grace to the humble.” But to you get the logic here? Your desires cause conflict. BUT your God wrote a book to remind you that He desires you, all of you, submitting to him to experience peace with him. AND he will supply you the grace to make that happen. God has claim on our affections! God also gives strength so we remain faithful. Supplies more than he demands and gives to those who look up to him.

This proceeds into a huge set of imperative in v7-10 But what bookends them is the reality of humbling yourself under God and receive grace from God. This list is not to be done in your own strength but from faith! AND not only that but this list of imperatives isn’t just the warning of conflict anymore, but it comes with a list of benefits to stir up new affections. Look at them:

  • Submit to God. Which is paired with humble yourselves in v10 and that comes with the promise that God will exalt you! Wow! Make yourself low and at the right time God will lift you up (1 Peter 5:6).
  • Then resist the devil and he will flee from you. A promise that the effort to fight Satan, temptation, and sin is worth it! Resistance towards devil seems to mirror God’s resistance of the proud—resist devil or be resisted by God! Resist the devil and God aids you.
  • Then draw near and God will draw near. What a promise! We flee AND replace. We should overcome a desire by replacing it with a stronger desire (and a healthier one) like a relationship with God. Our greatest desire should be to please God.
  • Then clean and purify. He slides in sinners and double minded not because these are final digs like I always gave my brother growing up. These are sincere reminders of the need to be washed inside out. Clean hands is the external behavior changed. Purifying heart is internal man changed. Sinners focused on the actions observable. Double-minded reminding of us the conflict. Both can be renewed!
  • Be wretched and mourn and weep. These are strong words speaking about what it means to repent. To stop finding joy in which wickedness. Turn laughs to tears and joy to gloom. The word turn in v9 might be pun on turning to God. Mourning was internal probably BUT also call for external evidence with gloom or looking down. Downward eyes contrast tone of arrogant who “show above” which is the word for proud in v6. Don’t joke with sin or take it lightly. It’s the real deal. So respond with appropriate affections not just actions.

 

Resist temptation of Satan and cultivate relationship w/ God, change actions and attitudes, be sorry and repent! Whats the common denominator? This section of imperatives is not about our doing but about submission defined as humility, practiced obediently as spelled out, and blessed as shown with benefits. Benefits of this submission are the devils flight and God’s drawing near in delight. So be cleansed, repent, and humbly stand in the presence of God!

 

Brothers and sisters, ASK for God to give you humility for his glory and he will give it. Those who are here and are wrestling with faith, see the blessings and possibility of obedience when we submit to the Lord Jesus Christ. He knows what this is like, that’s why he can give greater grace! In fact, this happened most clearly when God himself was made low. He doesn’t just command it but our God modeled what he called us to. See in Philippians 2 the mindset of a servant who submitted himself to God the Father to the point of death, even death on a cross! For the joy set before him he endured! And that’s what see here, God paints the beautiful picture, the new affection, that is meant to spur us into action. Again I would encourage you to look up 1 Peter 5 and Philippians 2 this week as the positive coin. We have a God who loves more than we can imagine. He offers nearness when we assume he is far off. He offers forgiveness when we are found in sin. He promises exaltation when we humbly submit our desires to him. Why must we submit to God? Because God desires to give grace!

 

But even more than that, God desires to receive the glory due his name. And we see this displayed in these last two verses. Read James 4:11-12 The final reason Christians must submit to God…

 

  1. Only one can save and destroy (11-12)

James returns to the topic of speech seemingly wrapping up a bigger unit starting all the way back at beginning of chapter 3. Again the importance of true faith being evidenced externally. But again he reminds us that this external reality that is observed must come from an internal desire to please Christ! The key thing in focus is the final imperative of not speaking evil about brothers and this is equated with judging. What the author has in view is slander.

 

We see some more OT connections comes into play! Here is referring to, as he has elsewhere when talking about the law, Leviticus 19:15-18 15 “You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor. 16 You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord. 17 “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. 18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord. You see the context makes sense that we tie in judging, slandering, hating, holding grudges, and also the language of neighbor and brother. Did you catch the bookends in v11 and v12? These are meant to be connective to the Great Commandment!

 

Slander and criticisms and defamation cannot exists in the community of Christ, publically or privately, overtly or covertly. For one, it wrecks this command to love neighbor For two, it speaks evil of the one made in the image of God like James 3:9 said. AND for three, it attempts to usurp the role that belongs only to God. Slander implies a low view of others (11a), God’s law (11b), God (12a), and high view of self (12b). Thus the sarcastic question in v12 “But you, who are you?” God alone is judge and God alone gives the law by which we are to judge. Any judgment we make should only be made in submission to God and his Word. And if we think we are judge over the law then we are not a doer of the law as we were called to be in 1:22.

 

Keeping slander in mind is important this is just any time we make a judgment amongst believers. There are contexts where we are called to speak about sin in others’ lives. But what we are not supposed to do is to criticize and condemn others as a means of pronouncing our own verdict over their spirituality and destiny.  I found this quote by Doug Moo helpful, “This charge shows that James is not prohibiting the proper, and necessary, discrimination that every Christian should exercise. Nor is he forbidding the right of the community to exclude from its fellowship those it deems to be in flagrant disobedience to the standards of the faith, or to determine right and wrong among its members (1 Cor. 5 and 6). James’ concern is with jealous, censorious speech by which we condemn others as being wrong in the sight of God.” James doesn’t forbid addressing sin BUT he does say we don’t get the final say on sin, God does!

 

Moo goes on to say that this type of situation was probably why the letter was written! “A bitter, selfish spirit (3:13–18) had given rise to quarrels and disputes in the church (4:1–2) which were apparently conducted, as they usually are, with an absence of restraint in the use of the tongue (3:1–12) and denunciations (4:11–12) of one another. This is a manifestation of a worldly spirit (3:15; 4:1, 4) and must be replaced by ‘the wisdom from above’, with its meekness, reasonableness and peaceableness (3:17). This flirtation with the world must be seen to be incompatible with God’s jealous desire to have his people’s wholehearted allegiance (4:4–5). Yet God is willing to turn and bestow his favour if sinful pride can give way to deep-felt repentance and sincere abasement before him (4:6–10).”

 

God alone is gave us the law. God alone judges based on the law. God alone can save our souls from the requirements of the law. You know why you need to submit? You ain’t GOD! Humble yourself! But this isn’t just a warning shot for those who think they can speak ill of one another without consequence. It is also a glorious reminder that we don’t have to! Its not our job but God’s job. That’s freeing for believers! This is all dependent on Him! Talk about push and pull!

 

Our affections produce our behavior. We need Jesus to change our affections so that behavior can be changed. We do this by submitting to his desires for our lives. We don’t go the way the world. We can go God‘s way by humbling ourselves under him and submitting to him. We submit to God’s standard as revealed in his Word as the law giver in the judge. And we thank God that he sent Jesus to save us by fulfilling the law and judging based on his own perfect righteousness. He has won the battle, but are we submitting to him? These warring passions mean there’s a fight for control , who is winning that fight in your heart?

 

No matter the desires you’re struggling with, see that pleasing Jesus is better. Submit your desires to him. See that pleasing God is so attractive that we forsake all the old ways. See that desires that please self are so disgusting that we won’t ever turn back. Christians submit to God. Make it your aim to please him and your affections will change, your thinking will change, your life will change. Only way I can truly change anything is by submitting to the one who can change anything. All these things change the same way, by submitting my heart to the purpose of pleasing God.  Humility and submission are what we are called to by faith. Let God change you. Don’t hold back even one bit but be wholly devoted to him. Don’t think “he can’t touch this part of me.” Give it all to him. The glorious truth is that God gives us the grace to do so if we ask. God says make me your #1 passion. Humbly submit to and serve me. I am kind and loving. I am the lawgiver and judge so you don’t need to be.

 

Christians submit to and trust him. Unbelievers, see there is a better than whatever other desires you might come up with. May he be all that we long for.

 

Pray