Word@Work James34 - James 4:1
Published: Fri, 03/27/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
INTERNAL DISTURBANCE BREAKS OUT
James 4:1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? (NIV)
Violence may roam around the world, but it has no part in the kingdom of heaven. Fights are personal struggles between people and will inflict pain and damage. Quarrels start with a complaint and, unless resolved, they can easily erupt into verbal and physical fury. Some people say that it is just human nature; well, it is from corrupted human nature. Jesus, the 'Prince of Peace', who never advised his disciples to fight, was fully human as well as being fully God. However, He never tried to overthrow the oppressive Romans or eliminate the irreligious Gentiles ... quite the opposite. The Romans whipped and crucified Him, and on the cross He asked Father God to forgive his Gentile tormentors.
The problem with aggression is not so much its outcome as its origin. According to James, verbal and physical violence are symptoms of a much bigger problem. They are a reflection of the internal turmoil and conflict inside the heart. Without God to guide and help us, we have to solve problems ourselves: but with neither the wisdom nor the love of God, we find ourselves in conflict with ourselves. The restless and discontented heart is a boiling cauldron of evil. All it needs is a trigger to set it off; exploding over whoever is nearby.
Doctors can only give the right treatment when they have the right diagnosis. While the symptoms may be uncomfortable, it is the root of the problem which needs to be addressed. James tells us that fights and quarrels are just symptoms of a dissatisfied heart at war with itself. However well behavioural therapists try to modify aggression, unless the heart is satisfied, the problem will break out in another way. As we go through this chapter, James will teach us how to change from the inside with the help of God. But for now, at least we can be clear about the source of the problem - a heart that is not yet fully under the mastery of Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Great God of love. Thank You that Jesus came to announce peace, and died to secure peace with God for all who trust in Him. Help me to see myself as I am and to choose to lay aside my own desires when they conflict with Your will for my life. Alert me to the root problem of my frustration at not being able to have life as I choose; give me insight into my great need of Your intervention in my life. 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
Violence may roam around the world, but it has no part in the kingdom of heaven. Fights are personal struggles between people and will inflict pain and damage. Quarrels start with a complaint and, unless resolved, they can easily erupt into verbal and physical fury. Some people say that it is just human nature; well, it is from corrupted human nature. Jesus, the 'Prince of Peace', who never advised his disciples to fight, was fully human as well as being fully God. However, He never tried to overthrow the oppressive Romans or eliminate the irreligious Gentiles ... quite the opposite. The Romans whipped and crucified Him, and on the cross He asked Father God to forgive his Gentile tormentors.
The problem with aggression is not so much its outcome as its origin. According to James, verbal and physical violence are symptoms of a much bigger problem. They are a reflection of the internal turmoil and conflict inside the heart. Without God to guide and help us, we have to solve problems ourselves: but with neither the wisdom nor the love of God, we find ourselves in conflict with ourselves. The restless and discontented heart is a boiling cauldron of evil. All it needs is a trigger to set it off; exploding over whoever is nearby.
Doctors can only give the right treatment when they have the right diagnosis. While the symptoms may be uncomfortable, it is the root of the problem which needs to be addressed. James tells us that fights and quarrels are just symptoms of a dissatisfied heart at war with itself. However well behavioural therapists try to modify aggression, unless the heart is satisfied, the problem will break out in another way. As we go through this chapter, James will teach us how to change from the inside with the help of God. But for now, at least we can be clear about the source of the problem - a heart that is not yet fully under the mastery of Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Great God of love. Thank You that Jesus came to announce peace, and died to secure peace with God for all who trust in Him. Help me to see myself as I am and to choose to lay aside my own desires when they conflict with Your will for my life. Alert me to the root problem of my frustration at not being able to have life as I choose; give me insight into my great need of Your intervention in my life. For Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
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