The Book of James Week Four Lesson Two

“Friend or Foe”

“You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. What do you think the Scriptures mean when they say that the spirit God has placed within us is filled with envy? But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but favors the humble.”

 James 4:4-6

Read James 5:4-5. Why does James say “You adulterers?”(Look back at verses 1-3)

Answer the question James asks in verse 5.

James is asking the reader to make a choice. There is urgency in his voice. Are we a friend or foe to God? Do we desire the world and its values or do we desire God and all He values? James is warning those who call themselves Christians they may be false Christians and enemies of God. He doesn’t mince words. These words cut to the quick to true believers. Our behavior and loyalty is challenged and there is true sorrow and repentance. For a false believer, it only makes them angry and defiant.

What does this passage make you feel like? Do you feel sorrow and repentance or do you want to justify your believes?

Read Isaiah 54:5. What term does Isaiah say about our Maker?

How does he describe Him?

The Hebrew word for “husband” is “ba’al” and means, “to marry, rule over, possess, own.” There is ownership in our relationship with God. A true believer knows this and accepts God’s will over their own. We are to fall into submission to our Master. He in turn provides, protects and loves us as His own. When we become involved with or behave according to the worldly view, we are unfaithful to our Master, the One who gave His best and most beloved Son ~ Jesus.

Don’t let this confuse you. We aren’t speaking of “husband” in human terms. It means a covenantal tie of love and loyalty between the Lord and those who call themselves Christians. Isaiah describes the qualities of God and why we would be wise to remember who He really is.

Read Romans 8:5-8. What does the person who has their thoughts set on the value of this world have their mind set on?

If your mind is set on the world what happens to your loyalty and focus on what God values?

What is the mind of sinful man/woman?

What is the mind controlled by the Holy Spirit?

Can those controlled by their sinful nature please God? Why?

How can you please God?

When a person lives according to their sinful nature, that person cannot be a friend of God. Instead of love toward the Master, they show their master is satan. Loyalty divided between the world and God is no loyalty at all. You have to choose.

Read James 4:6. Who does God oppose?

What does He give to the humble?

God opposes the proud, those who think their way is better than His way. Christians aren’t exempt from this type of behavior. I know I am often proud, thinking my way is better than His way. I can justify my behavior, but if I am going against what I know God says to do and focus on getting my way, then God’s grace doesn’t extend to me. The only way I can receive God’s grace is to humble myself, repent and turn towards Him. It is in this humble condition where I receive His abundant grace. 

“The Lord mocks the mockers 

but is gracious to the humble.” Proverbs 3:34.

Read Psalm 18:25-29. What does God show to the faithful?

What does God show to the blameless?

To the pure?

To the crooked?

Who does God save?

Who does He bring low?

What are the benefits that King David gives for his being faithful to God? (These are meant for all who are faithful to God.)

King David is showing two roads of behavior; faithful to God versus unfaithful to God. God is faithful and shows mercy to those who love and serve Him. I love the way the NIV puts it, “with my God, I can scale a wall.”

 I’ve never had the opportunity to physically scale a wall, but I can imagine the strength it takes to do it. Spiritually I have constant need of scaling walls. I need to scale the walls of pride, hatred, bitterness and envy. With the Holy Spirit, God provides the power for me to scale those walls that separate me from Him. Without Him, I am powerless against these forces that keep me far from His presence.

If we truly believe and follow Christ Jesus as our Master then we must remain faithful to Him. Everyday we walk with Him, talk with Him, listen to Him and study His Word, we grow deeper in our relationship to Him.

It’s hard to really be honest with ourselves when it comes to our behavior and our selfish thoughts when we think no one is watching. God is always aware of our heart’s true desires and intentions. The good news is that if we turn away from these things and truly seek Him, He is gracious and forgiving and gathers us to His mighty chest. 

God loves and forgives beyond all reason. There is no mercy found in this world. Who do we want to serve, a world that doesn’t care or a loving God who shows it? Are you a friend or foe to Almighty God? We have to choose. Let’s choose to scale a wall with the power He gives and not live weak lives according to what this world offers.