[James 4, Proverbs 1]

H – James 4:4, “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.”

E – Did You Not Know?

James began Chapter 4 with a warning against worldliness. This warning called imitators of worldliness adulterers. It was literal unfaithfulness to God making this claim against spiritual adultery or turning away from God. 

But, notice the question at hand, Do you know know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? It’s interesting that if these people were genuine Christ followers that they would know what Christ rescued them from, called them out of, and called them to. 

When I give my life to Christ He calls me out of and away from worldliness. I repent (turn away) from my old sinful ways and turn to Him. I am a new creation. I am no longer a friend to the world or her ways. I am a friend of Christ.

Christ came to deliver me from the enemy and when I do not flee wordiness and surrender all to Him then I am in camp with the enemy, against God. James makes it clear. You can not set your heart on the world and please God. I can not have one foot in and one foot out. I’m either all in or not. 

Did You Not Know This?

And John would confirm, 1 John 2:15–16, “[15] Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. [16] For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.”

A – Daily apply James 4:7-10 – 1) Submit myself to God, 2) Resist Temptations of all kinds, 3) Draw Near To God, 4) Repent on any Known Sin, 5) Receive Forgiveness, 6) Let Conviction take root, 7) Humble Myself to Hear from and Respond to His Spirit. 

R – Lord God, Thank you for loving me. Thank you for calling me out of the world. Lord, help me to wisely discern worldliness. Convict me of pride, jealously, and greed (4:1-3). Help me to know that my life in You is more valuable than anything I could gain or earn in this world (4:13-14). May my passion be for you and flow from you. 

In Jesus Name!