Divine Jealousy

James 4:4-5

4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”?

• When have you been jealous of someone?
• What is it like to be a friend of the world?
  
• When are you more likely to be tempted to be a friend of the world?
  
• How does God feel when you are friends with the world?
  

Harold's Musings:
I've had my moments of jealousy. Generally these have occurred when a close friend was friendly with someone else. On a few occasions this involved a girl and then the feelings were even stronger. I knew the jealousy was wrong, but the feelings were real. Sometimes I forget that God has feelings. I have an underlying image of God as a cold, dispassionate judge in white robes. I intellectually know better but... It is hard for me to think that God is jealous of me when I snuggle up close to the world and the sin connected to it. It is hard to think that I am God's enemy all over again because I am a friend of the world. God loves you and me. He wants what is best for you and me. He knows that our friendship with the world will hurt us very badly and He does not want to see that. Perhaps I should be thinking more of God's feelings and how I don't want to hurt Him.

You Started It!

James 4:1-3

4:1 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions [1] are at war within you? [2] 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

Footnotes
[1] 4:1 Greek pleasures; also verse 3
[2] 4:1 Greek in your members

• What are you most likely to quarrel or have conflicts about?
  
• Which pleasures wage war within you and result in conflict?
  
• What sort of murder is he talking about here? (look at Mat 5:21-22)
  
• What are the reasons you might not have the things you desire?
  
• What portion of your prayers are requests for physical things for you?
  
• What portion are requests for physical things for others?
  
• How might the tongue play a role here?

Harold's Musings:
Pretty condemning passage. Definitely boot camp material. One of the first things that jumps out is the concept of passions/pleasures within us. Very reminiscent of James 1:12-15. Our selfish nature is the root of most of our spiritual problems. Small wonder Jesus taught so much about dying to self. We do not have because we do not ask and when we do we ask for the things that are causing quarrel, i.e. our pleasures. In the heat of a quarrel, we say things with the tongue that kill relationships or at least wound them because we want to win. We want the stuff we want more than we want what is best for others. Our prayers are more focused on our physical wants than on our spritual needs. Ouch! I thank God for His mercy and grace, because reading this makes me realize just how far I have to go in my walk.

What True Wisdom Looks Like

James 3:13-18

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

• Which "wisdom" in this passage would you want to ask God for?
• What is likely in the heart of a "know-it-all" person?
  
• How often do you struggle with jealousy and selfish ambition?
  
• What is society's opinion of jealousy and selfish ambition?
  
• What is God's opinion of jealousy and selfish ambition?
  
• What does the wisdom from above sound like to you? (Gal 5:22-23)
  
• What appears necessary to have peace?

Harold's Musings:
Bitter jealousy and selfish ambition is demonic and unspiritual. Wow! What a condemning statement about the culture we swim in. I mean, isn't it just smart to try to get ahead, even at the expense of my fellow worker? As I reflect, I think that phrase, "isn't it just smart", should be a warning siren that what comes next probably is not God's wisdom. The world around us considers it dumb to be merciful, peaceable, and gentle. The person striving to get ahead is always striving and that is not peaceful. The world's wisdom cannot compare to God's wisdom (1 Co. 1:20-24) so why do we seek it over God's wisdom. Sorta shows we are not wise, huh?