OPPOSED TO THE PROUD

Drawing Near To God – James 4:5-10

The Hardest Verse in James James 4:5

NAS -- Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”?

KJV -- Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

ASV -- Or think ye that the scripture speaketh in vain? Doth the spirit which he made to dwell in us long unto envying?

NIV 1984 -- Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely?

RSV --  Or do you suppose it is in vain that the scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit which he has made to dwell in us”?

CEB -- Or do you suppose that scripture is meaningless? Doesn’t God long for our faithfulness in the life he has given to us?

Four Possible Meanings

1: Our human spirit, which we received from God, lustfully envies and is drawn toward envying.

2: God yearns for the human spirit which he placed within us.

 3. God yearns for the Holy Spirit in us.

4. The Holy Spirit in us longs for our loyalty to God.

What Difference Does It Make?

1. Either the human spirit tends to envy and is therefore perverse…

2. Or god is yearning for us, but we tend to be cool toward God…

3. Or, the Holy Spirit dwelling in us moves God to yearn for us…

4. Or, the Holy Spirit is moved to envy in His desire for us to honor God.

I prefer possibility #1.

How This Thought Fits The Text

James is speaking of quarrels and conflicts.

The conflicts are based upon earthly lusts and desires.

Even those praying to God are doing so lustfully to increase their personal pleasures.

The human spirit has always been envious of the things of others.

II. God’s Grace

James 4:6 -- But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

What Curbs Envy? James is quoting here from

Proverbs 3:34, part of a list of comparisons between the wicked and the righteous.

Who does God give grace to? Certainly not the proud, the envious or the lustful.

Remember James’ earlier admonition: “…do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? (vs. 4)

III. How Do We Become Humble

First, we submit to God

Matthew 16:24 – Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.

Second, we resist the devil

…Resist the devil and he will flee from you….

Third, we draw near to God …Draw near to God and

He will draw near to you…

Psalm 119:150-151 – Those who follow after wickedness draw near; They are far from Your law. You are near, O Lord, and all Your commandments are truth.

Fourth, We Cleanse Our Hands

…cleanse your hands, you sinners….

Psalm 24:3-4 – Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? And who may stand in His Holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood and has not sword deceitfully.

Fifth, we purify our hearts

…purify your hearts, you double-minded….

Hebrews 10:22 -- …let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Sixth, we mourn and weep

…Be miserable and mourn and weep, let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom….

Why weeping and mourning?

Matthew 5:4 – Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Finally, We Humble Ourselves

…Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

1 Peter 5:6 – Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time….