Word@Work James35 - James 4:2-3
Published: Mon, 03/30/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
THE ROUTE TO RUIN
James 4:2-3 You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. (NIV)
Disagreements and arguments leading to physical action are all too common. James now explains what is going on from - God's viewpoint. Before there is any hint of anger, a calculated process starts in the 'heart': which is the 'place' where we decide what we want and develop a passion for getting it. Our minds work out a strategy for achieving our goal, but if that does not work out as we expect, then the 'heart' goes into top gear. The wrong instinct of covetousness is so powerful that, when the brakes are off and inhibition is suppressed, human beings are capable of the most dreadful actions: quarrelling, fighting and even killing.
Much of this evil trail can be prevented by asking God's opinion. The best question to ask God is, "Do You want me to have this?" If the answer is "No" then drop it - end of story! But many will not ask God that key question: instead they say, "Please get me what I want." But if the motives are wrong (even if the object of desire is not wrong in itself), God will not open His hand to give it. So the angry and frustrated covetous heart finds a way to grab what God does not give. It is a sad route to wrong acts which have no divine approval and can never bring satisfaction.
How does this trail of motives and events play out at work? Of course, there is nothing wrong in making a fair profit, developing a business, increasing market share or extending the range/quality of professional services. In the same way it may be right to extend a house and decorate it to your taste. But James wants us to hear the danger alarms when getting 'more' becomes an end in itself, and when that is achieved in ways that displease God. Although it is relatively easy to criticise our colleagues, these verses turn the spotlight onto our own responsibility for desiring, deciding and doing. So, why not put your key personal and business goals to God and ask Him if they are right goals for you. If they are not, ask him to help you deal with your internal fire of desire, repent of the wrong desire and ask His wisdom about what you should be doing. If they are right, then ask Him to help you see them as serving Him and others, and not just as personal toys or ego boosters.
Prayer: Almighty God. I am glad that You know my thoughts and desires as well as my actions. Help me to see myself as You see me, and to allow You the right to say 'no' to my wrong motives and passions; and help me to deal with those things in my life that can never glorify You, nor satisfy me. Give me wisdom to see how this plays out in my working life, so that I may be a real pleasure to you. For Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Disagreements and arguments leading to physical action are all too common. James now explains what is going on from - God's viewpoint. Before there is any hint of anger, a calculated process starts in the 'heart': which is the 'place' where we decide what we want and develop a passion for getting it. Our minds work out a strategy for achieving our goal, but if that does not work out as we expect, then the 'heart' goes into top gear. The wrong instinct of covetousness is so powerful that, when the brakes are off and inhibition is suppressed, human beings are capable of the most dreadful actions: quarrelling, fighting and even killing.
Much of this evil trail can be prevented by asking God's opinion. The best question to ask God is, "Do You want me to have this?" If the answer is "No" then drop it - end of story! But many will not ask God that key question: instead they say, "Please get me what I want." But if the motives are wrong (even if the object of desire is not wrong in itself), God will not open His hand to give it. So the angry and frustrated covetous heart finds a way to grab what God does not give. It is a sad route to wrong acts which have no divine approval and can never bring satisfaction.
How does this trail of motives and events play out at work? Of course, there is nothing wrong in making a fair profit, developing a business, increasing market share or extending the range/quality of professional services. In the same way it may be right to extend a house and decorate it to your taste. But James wants us to hear the danger alarms when getting 'more' becomes an end in itself, and when that is achieved in ways that displease God. Although it is relatively easy to criticise our colleagues, these verses turn the spotlight onto our own responsibility for desiring, deciding and doing. So, why not put your key personal and business goals to God and ask Him if they are right goals for you. If they are not, ask him to help you deal with your internal fire of desire, repent of the wrong desire and ask His wisdom about what you should be doing. If they are right, then ask Him to help you see them as serving Him and others, and not just as personal toys or ego boosters.
Prayer: Almighty God. I am glad that You know my thoughts and desires as well as my actions. Help me to see myself as You see me, and to allow You the right to say 'no' to my wrong motives and passions; and help me to deal with those things in my life that can never glorify You, nor satisfy me. Give me wisdom to see how this plays out in my working life, so that I may be a real pleasure to you. For Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
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