Study of James 4:1-6

What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you? You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask. And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures.

You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God. Or do you think the Scripture says without reason that the Spirit He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy? But He gives us more grace. This is why it says:

“God opposes the proud,
    but gives grace to the humble.”
— James 4:1-6


James addresses the root cause of conflicts among believers: selfish desires. He explains that quarrels and fights arise from passions that wage war within individuals. When people seek their own interests above God’s will, it leads to strife, envy, and unfulfilled longing. James warns that these desires can even lead people to act unjustly to get what they want.

He further highlights the issue of asking with the wrong motives. Prayers that are driven by selfish ambition rather than by a genuine desire to honor God will not be answered. James rebukes those who prioritize worldly pleasures over their relationship with God, calling them “adulteresses.” This strong language conveys the seriousness of spiritual unfaithfulness. When believers choose the world’s values over God’s ways, they betray their devotion to Him.

James reminds his readers that friendship with the world is hostility toward God. This does not mean avoiding all interaction with the world but rather rejecting its sinful ways and priorities. When a person aligns themselves with the world’s system, they oppose God’s kingdom. However, James offers hope: God gives greater grace. Though human hearts are prone to selfishness and pride, God’s grace is more than sufficient to transform and restore those who humble themselves before Him.

This passage calls believers to examine their desires and motivations. Are we seeking God’s will or our own? Are we pursuing worldly success at the expense of our relationship with Him? James reminds us that true fulfillment comes not from self-centered pursuits but from God’s abundant grace.


Questions

1. What does James say is the root cause of quarrels and conflicts? How have you seen this play out in your own experiences?

2. How does this passage challenge the way you approach prayer and your motives in asking God for things?

3. What does it mean to be a “friend of the world,” and why does James describe it as hostility toward God?

4. How can you actively seek God’s grace and cultivate humility in your daily life?


Prayer

Loving Father,

I confess that my heart is often drawn to selfish desires and worldly pursuits. Forgive me when I place my own interests above Your will. Help me to seek You first in all things and to align my desires with Your perfect plan. Thank You for the abundant grace You offer to those who humble themselves before You. Teach me to walk in humility and to pursue peace with others, that my life may reflect Your love and truth.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

-

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