Tag Archives: the book of James

November 26
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“Come near to God and he will come near to you.” (James 4:8, NIV)

How does the disciple of Jesus address internal conflict and external strife?

According to James: First, draw near to God, and submit to His rule in your life, and; second, resist the devil.

Yesterday, we focused on the latter.  Today, let’s look at the former.

The act of “drawing near” to God can be as simple as taking time to pray, but it is always intentional, and it always reflects our desire to enter the presence of our heavenly Father. It is in the presence of God that the child of God receives the wisdom necessary to constructively address internal conflict and external strife.

If you have no peace in your internal and external struggles, make getting nearer to your heavenly Father your daily priority.  – Luther

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November 25
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“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7, NIV)

Today’s scripture selection is a “summary verse” of James’ explanation of the source of our internal conflicts and of our external strife.

The solution to this serious problem is two-fold: (1) Draw near to God, and submit to His rule in your life, and; (2) resist the devil.

Today’s focus is on #2. Tomorrow, I will address #1.

The devil is intelligent, experienced, practiced, cunning, and persuasive. He is not, however, irresistible.

In fact, our simple resistance foils his tactic of playing to our desire for the immediate gratification of our physical, emotional, and spiritual desires.  Our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs are real — and they are important. Therefore, resist the devil’s “good” offers.  Instead, wait for our heavenly Father.  His gifts are always far superior to anything the devil can offer; and each comes without sorrow, pain, or remorse.  – Luther

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November 24
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“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.” (James 3:17, New Living Translation)

In today’s scripture selection, James contrasts earthly wisdom with heavenly wisdom.

Earthly wisdom’s perspective is 70 or 80 years — enough only to cover our time on this earth. (If you think you can outrun to the grave the scales of human justice, what is to prevent you from being contentious, rude, and unyielding in your dealings with others?)

On the other hand, heavenly wisdom has an eternal perspective. It recognizes the reality of spiritual things, and of God’s reckoning.

Resist earth’s Siren call to its ways and to its wisdom. Other people may scoff at your “naivete,” but only for the short span of their lives. The approval of God is forever!  – Luther

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