My reading today of James 4 really brought things home in regards to how the Lord has been dealing with me in my life. I wanted to break down the first 12 versus and share with you on what God was sharing with me during my devotional time.

James 4 1-2 “Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don’t have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn’t yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it.??? The Message (MSG)

These two versus are an example of what most of my life has looked like. My control and forcefulness into others’ lives, all in the name of God has caused much pain in my life as well as others. As a business owner and at one time a Youth Pastor, I had made it my practice to force my views and acted as if I always knew what was best. Others that respected me and or feared me had followed my lead. I was good at manipulating any situation to make whatever it was I was selling to sound great. The problem with this is my motives were completely selfish and masked to look like I had their best interest in mind. I was always about my ego and my pride was my guide and not my God. During this time of my life there was much pain and anger and the thought of total surrender to God was a fantasy, my true reality was that I was my own god and controlling my destiny to a standard I deemed best.

2-3 “You wouldn’t think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you’d be asking for what you have no right to. You’re spoiled children, each wanting your own way.???

Patience in waiting on God was not a strength of mine, getting things done quickly and without thought was a very strong possession of mine. I would still continue to read my bible every day and always be praying, but waiting on God for His answer was always justified by my desire in the moment. I had a plan and my goals were set so my prayers reflected my own wants and desires. I manipulated my thoughts to justify my actions and then would say this is where God is leading.

4-6 You’re cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn’t care? The proverb has it that “he’s a fiercely jealous lover.??? And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you’ll find. It’s common knowledge that “God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.???

Growing up, I have always believed that I can be anything I want if I just put my mind to it. I also believed in the notion that nothing will happen unless you make it happen. This lie has led me every step of my life; I was cheating on God. I had moments where I would be humble and fully engaged in what God was doing in my life, but the minute things started to look good for me I would justify it as God wanting to bless my fantasy and once again move forward in making things happen. God really gives in love far better than anything else we can find. Unfortunately, I have wasted much of my life being blinded to this and by this.

7-10 So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.

God is so good and waiting on Him is my daily reward! I had to stop saying I trusted Jesus completely with my life and actually DO IT. I had to put boundaries in place where I knew I was weak. I had to actually make a conscious decision to ask myself am I loving, am I kind, am I gentle, am I long suffering? Do I see people as Christ sees people, am I reflecting His light so that others want more of Him and less of themselves. Is His Grace flooding out of my mouth to others as I speak with them? Are people desiring to draw near to Him because of what I have said. Getting serious, really serious is hard and it will cost you your life as you know it, but the flip side if your will is to find Jesus, He will rebuild your identity in Him.

11-12 Don’t bad-mouth each other, friends. It’s God’s Word, his Message, his Royal Rule, that takes a beating in that kind of talk. You’re supposed to be honoring the Message, not writing graffiti all over it. God is in charge of deciding human destiny. Who do you think you are to meddle in the destiny of others?

Amen!