28 Apr Recap | James | Humble Yourselves

This weekend Matt Williams continued in leading us through the book of James. The Bible is a fascinating book because it constantly leverages the dichotomy of judgment and grace. It is both the knife that cuts into us as well as the medicine that heals our wounds. This is true because it was given to us by a God who shares the same qualities. The ultimate judge of mankind is also mankind’s means of rescue.  This week’s passage was a perfect example of this truth. A harsh reality of the true nature of our sinful hearts is painted against the backdrop of God’s relentless grace.

Beginning in James 4:4, James calls his readers to an immediate and blunt point of clarity and decision. James fleshes out an analogy this audience would have been familiar with through the book of Hosea. He compares the church to an adulterer, the picture being that of a woman who so craves intimacy and connectedness that she seeks it from more than one source, thus being unfaithful to both. This is meant to illustrate the lack of devotion we have to God as we consistently seek pleasure outside of Him through the idols of this world. These idols are much less defined than they would have been when this was written. Our “gods” look more like fashion trends, sporting events, and popular media.

James draws a line in the sand right off the bat.

There is a deep-rooted envy in us that drives all of this. James 4:5 says that our natural spirit is one that’s easily deceived and corrupted, leaving us soaking in our own entitlement. For this reason, James continues, God has lavished us with more grace. We are called to be humble; for those are the people that God shows favor to. Obviously this is easier said than done. After all, the central sin throughout Scripture is a prideful self-promotion. Matt helped us with a user-friendly definition of humility, describing it as “knowing what you’re in charge of and just being in charge of that.” God is in charge of everything to one degree or another, so this calls us to let go of our selfishness, trust Him, and obey. God shows favor to some things and adamantly opposes others. Being able to do whatever you want with your life is largely an American idea. By contrast, every thought, aspiration, and dream is to be taken captive. It is our life, but it is God’s story that is to be told through it. <

James restates in James 4:7-9 that humility and resistance will cause the devil to flee from us. If we feel that we have been fleeing temptation and yet the sin lingers, this could mean that we are at another level – actually enslaved to the sin. This requires a more extreme solution involving external help and community. Our sin should grieve us. We aren’t left to wallow in it, but if our sin does not move us to a saddened, regretful place, we may need to examine whether or not we actually believe in Jesus. James calls us to a cleansing that comes from a daily, personal relationship with God, anchored by the Scriptures. God is the husband who is not only willing to take His adulterous bride back, but He actually sacrificed Himself to make this possible. And so our return and repentance must be a consistent turning and abandoning of the idols of this world. As we do this, a lot about our culture will begin to feel foreign to us.

Finally in James 4:10, we are simply exhorted to live in a vulnerable way, trusting God with some things. Matt gave us a few basic questions to linger on in the wake of this passage:

1. Do you ever admit to God that you’re wrong?
2. Do you then go in a different direction?
3. Do you tell others about the movement in your life?
4. Can you draw the connection between your prideful envy and your actions?
5. How do you humble yourself?

-Nate Emery