Friendly Reminder (1)
Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:4 (almost NASB)
Wishes to be – What do you long to be? What desire do you hold in your heart? James’ comment is not about active expression and outward progression. James uses the Greek verb boulomai, a verb that denotes only the passive desire or propensity toward something. Its counterpart, thelo, is a verb of deliberate action toward a goal. In other words, James does not require us to actually do anything about befriending the world’s values. He suggests that all we need is to wish we could have what the world offers!
James’ suggestion is right in line with the Hebrew idea of the yetzer ha’ra. It isn’t necessary to actually give expression of the evil inclination. It is enough to simply encourage the propensity and the predisposition for passion without piety. I don’t have to use the world’s methods to obtain a fortune for my own purposes. All I really have to do is passionately desire such a result. That is enough to keep the fires of the yetzer ha’ra sufficiently fueled in my life. That is enough to become an enemy of God.
Too often we think that being a friend (philos) of the world means living the lifestyle of selfish consumption. Too often we measure accommodation to the world’s values by the actual behavior of the person. We look for the signs of materialism, commercialism and immorality. It is true, of course, that the eventual expression of unbridled passion directed by the yetzer ha’ra will result in such outward actions, but this is not James’ point. Given time and circumstances, a man controlled by the yetzer ha’ra will be uncovered, but James is concerned with the beginning of the process, long before the actual behaviors are manifest. The beginning of making an enemy of God is the removal of willful restraint of the thought of having what the world offers.
Scripture is the only legal system that provides consequences for inappropriate thinking. No other ancient or contemporary ethical structure prescribes such behavior. Outside of the Bible, Man is free to think as he wishes. But inside the fence of Scripture, Man is not so free. Some things are not to be thought of. Some things must be brought into captivity even in their conception. Sometimes it’s necessary to have thought police. Dealing with the power of the yetzer ha’ra is one of those times. While no court in the world will convict a man of simply desiring to have the wealth, health or influence God has given to another, God’s justice will condemn such a man. The desire to remove the restraints incumbent upon the yetzer ha’ra is sufficient to deny God’s sovereignty and to rebel against contentment. Perhaps that’s why the Psalmist asks God to replace his desires with God’s desires (“Delight yourself in YHWH and let Him give you the desires of your heart” Psalm 37:4).
So here’s the question: What are you wishing for? If you had the means, what would you bring to fruition?
Topical Index: wishes to be, boulomai, thelo, yetzer ha’ra, desire, James 4:4, Psalm 37:4
–If you had the means, what would you bring to fruition?–
I would ask “not my will (what I want) but your will (what You want) be accomplished (first) in me, then, through me.” I would ask to be a servant, a doorkeeper, in the house of the LORD. I would ask for humlity- the life-message of (the) Christ. I would ask, believing, that YHWH would inhabit His habitation and that my heart would become His throne room. I would ask that my sins would be pardoned in Christ and that my mind would give focused attention to the words of G-d. I would ask that He would bring all things to my remembrance- whatsoever He has said unto me. I would ask that G-d would accomplish and complete in me that which is His perfect plan for my life. I would ask Him for breath and for the ability to see that which is not seen. I would ask Him for the tongue of the learned, -the lashon limudim, the tongue of a learner. I would ask Him to give a thirst and a hunger that could only be met by Him and through Him. I would ask that my brothers and sisters would dwell together in unity as those who have been bought by the precious blood of Christ and are now part of G-d’s forever family. I would ask that I might experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then I would be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from G-d. I would ask that He would conform me into the image and likeness of the Son.
I would ask for the ability to see and to know what is pleasing unto my ABBA that I may be pleasing unto Him, unto the ONE who has given unto me all things that pertain unto life and godliness.
I would ask for the gift of repentance. I would ask for sensitivity to sin and to the needs of others. I would ask for compassion- the compassion of (the) Christ who is merciful.
And all these things (and more!) I would ask for the glory of G-d and for the service of man. Amen.
For He has said: “Ask, and you will receive.” At His invitation, and because Calvary and the torn veil of the temple of His flesh made this request possible- I ask for these things, -in His name and for His sake. Amen.
Ahmein Carl, Be it unto you according to your faith (fullness)!!
“–If you had the means, what would you bring to fruition?–”
Hi Carl,
Good question. For me, James 4:4 and Psalm 37:4 are a great juxtaposition.
Although I find myself in old age speaking to my children in terms of this world and the spiritual world.
A la James 4:4.
Deep down I don’t believe there are two worlds.
Rather I tend to think there is just one world, and it is Yahweh’s world.
The “land” to which David refers in Psalm 37:4.
Where if we “Trust in Yahweh and do what is good…”
He “will give you what your heart desires.”
Our job, IMO, is not to avoid risk at all cost.
Rather it is to act virtuously when faced with temptation
Without risk there can be no reason for a reward.
Metaphorically speaking, I prefer the dangerzone.
Top Gun – Highway to the Dangerzone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8rZWw9HE7o
AGREE!!
dear brother- live by faith and you will find yourself in an amazing adventure unparalleled with anything ever experienced. And in this world or the next- He is LORD of all! LORD of the ones who are now living and the ones who have departed before us..
As always I would ask “what would You have me do with it; how ,where and when”. This behavior I imbibed after reading Sauls conversion in the Book of Acts. I will certainly ask and wait for His response knowing that what good things and benefits that come my way didn’t happen by accident but by divine design. Being fully aware that whatever I have is aready His and everthing I possess He did give to me……agreeing with king David in the Book of Chronicles.
My experience is that there is a great peace with knowing how, where and when to use what resources He graciously provides.
Thanks for this teaching, it has once again reminded me of the need to stay close and not be sucked in with the way things are right now.
Ifeoma Edoziem