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The Pressure of ConflictJames 4:1-10

John R. WibleSeptember 29, 2013

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The Point and Outline

We can Overcome conflict by humbly submitting to Christ

• The Source of Conflict – James 4:1-5• How to Overcome Conflict – James 4:6-10

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A Touch of Sin

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The Passage

Read James 4:1-10

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The Setting

• Even the early church experienced dissension within the body.

• James identified the source of their conflicts and pointed to the need for humility before God

• See Picture Page 62Q: What conflicts and competitions do you find

compelling?”

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Healthy Competition or Fight?

Q: Is this true: “We have a natural inclination to want our own way when we are in conflict with another person?”

Q: Look at “The Bible Meets Life” (BOOK, p. 61).

Q: What comparison does our author make between healthy competition and fights?

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James 4:1-51 What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don’t

they come from the cravings that are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and

cannot obtain. You fight and war. You do not have because you do not ask.

3 You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your evil desires.

4 Adulteresses! Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So, whoever wants to be the world’s friend becomes God’s enemy.

5 Or do you think it’s without reason the Scripture says that the Spirit who lives in us yearns jealously?

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• Eisenhower

• Hemingway

• Russell

• Sun Tzu

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The Root Causes of Conflict

• Cravings that are at war within you. • Desire for that which you do not have. • Murder and covet for that which you cannot

obtain. • You do not have because you do not ask. • You ask and don’t receive because you ask

with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your evil desires.

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Self-Centeredness

• See “1. Self-centeredness,” (p. 62.) “Cravings” and “evil desires” come from the same Greek word from which we get our word hedonism.

• “Hedonism” - a school of thought that argues that pleasure is the only intrinsic good.

• In very simple terms, a hedonist strives to maximize net pleasure (pleasure minus pain).

• ἡδονισμός (hēdonis’mos); ἡδονή (hēdonē’) = "pleasure."

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“Cravings”

• Q: Book, P. 63, Q #2 - What cravings most often lead you into conflict?

• Q: Practically, explain what a conflict looks like that stems from self-centeredness;

• Q: From prayerlessness;• Q: From worldliness. • Q: How does knowing the root causes of our

conflicts help us avoid them?

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A Matter of the Heart

• Q #3 (BOOK, p. 65): “How are motives related to conflict?”

• Q: How would you respond to the activity “X-Ray Your Motives” (BOOK, p. 65)?

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Two to Tango?

• As relating to conflict, does it take two to tango?

• Is there a conflict if one party won’t play?• Our problems arise when we cave in to the

pressure of conflict and respond out of our own anger or frustration rather than being filled with the Holy Spirit.

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James 4:6-10 Says:6 But He gives greater grace. Therefore, He says: God

resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 7 Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he

will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.

Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people!

9 Be miserable and mourn and weep. Your laughter must change to mourning and your joy to sorrow.

10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.

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James Says:

1. Humble Yourself2. Submit to God3. Resist the Devil 4. Draw Near to God 5. Get Rid of Your Sins 6 But He gives greater grace. Therefore, He

says: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

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Humble Yourself

Q: Why is humbling ourselves first on James’s list? Let’s talk about:

• How does pride compound our personal conflicts ? Conflicts in the church;?

• Why does pride put us in opposition to God? • Even so, why does God respond with grace to

the humble?

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Key Words

• The proud (v. 6)—those who choose to align their hearts with anyone or anything other than God, thus making Him their rival.

• The humble (v. 6)—The term conveys a state or attitude of lowliness or poverty. As the term relates to Christ, humble people have the right view of themselves—lowly, impotent, and unworthy; but they have the right view of God—exalted, powerful, and provider.

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Submission

• Submission to God - we submit our wills to His.

• We attend seminars on being more assertive, but no seminars exist on how to submit.

• This military term describes responding according to one’s rank.

• The real conflict is inside of us, Who’s in charge? • But, are there rewards in submission? (V. 7a)

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Is Submission Easy?

• Q: Are there challenges is submitting to Christ’s will?

• Q: Challenges aside, how do we learn to follow Christ in our conflicts?

• Q: Are there rewards associated with obeying His Word?

• Re-read verse 7a. (Submit to God)

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Resist the Devil

• Q: Note the BOOK, (p. 68). What is the origin of the word used for “Devil” in this passage?

• What are the various ways he may impact or influence our conflicts?

• Q: Question #4 (BOOK,, p. 68): “What is involved in resisting the Devil?”

• READ: verse 8. (Draw Near to God)

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How To Draw Near to God

Note the three subheads on pages 68-69.• Read the Bible; • Pray; • WorshipQ: Question #5 (BOOK,, p. 69): “What helps you

draw near to Christ and humble yourself before Him?”

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Dump Your Sin

• VV. 9-10: . 9 Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.”

• Q: Is it true that the solution to our conflicts begins when we examine ourselves?

• Why?

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So Let it be Written, So . . . Done

• “Review Live It Out,” (BOOK, p. 70; Jesus calls on us to be peacemakers.

• Can we live up to that challenge? • Which of the three numbered suggestions fits

your situation the best? • Will you commit to carry out the action? • Humble submission to Christ is His call to us in all

things. So when the pressure of conflict wants us to get our way. Let’s count on His strength, and do what Jesus says.

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So Let it be Written, So . . . Done

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Let’s Pray About it