JAMES 4:1-12

Where does conflict come from?
Do we not know ourselves?
It is the result of pride, self-will that wants what it wants
and isn't shy about asserting itself,
even becoming aggressive in seeking to find some way
to make it happen.

James says that when we don't ask for what we want
or we ask and don't receive what it is our hearts yearn for,
it is with good reason.
We are to look hard at our motivation for wanting what we do.
Scripture points out that self has a way of pushing it's own agenda,
perhaps hoping, or even insisting, that it must also be God's agenda.
Perhaps we have some awareness that our requests are selfishly driven
and so we seek to get our way without laying our want before God
in the way that Jesus did:
God, this is what I want, but if my want interferes with Your will,
if it will not be honoring to You,
if it will not fit into the bigger picture that You already see,
if it does not draw others to You,
then I relinquish my will and choose Yours.

To whom have we honestly committed ourselves?
We can't be loyal to God if what we want shoves Him from center stage.
He is, rightfully, a jealous God,
having given all in pursuit of a relationship with us!
He is a gracious God and provides us grace
but He will not dwell with pride.

Those who are proud argue against the truths of God;
they do not follow the laws of God;
they do not trust the provision of God.
Therefore, God resists, as a magnet, the proud,
but is drawn to those who are humble, acknowledge their dependence on Him,
and seek to honor Him in all their ways.

Yes, we need to settle the question of our loyalty,
return to our first-love,
repent of motives and behaviors that are self-seeking
and lay them out for God's cleansing work.
Humbling ourselves makes us pliable in His almighty hand
so that He can shape us into vessels that display His character.

James reminds us where we stand in relation to each other and God.
We are brothers and sisters, none of whom are fully mature.
When we put each other down, we are acting as a judge.
We are to remember that there is but one Lawgiver,
God,
and He alone is able to judge.

Prayer:
God, help us to remember that we need to look within
when there are conflict problems.
Help us to level with You about our hearts.
Too often our words and behaviors show us to be divided in our loyalty.
But we want to be totally committed to You!

Point out those times when we are praying “in Jesus' name”
to secure what we want
rather than telling you what we want or what we deem best,
then submitting to Your will, whatever that is,
and choosing to trust You,
knowing that Your ways are beyond our ability to see and know.

We acknowledge that Your jealousy is a rightful jealousy.
You are totally committed to us, having created and redeemed us,
even when it meant the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus.
Help us to sacrifice those things of lesser value
for the “pearl” of a relationship with You, both now and for eternity.

Keep us humble, keep us honest.
Help us confess our wrongs.
We want to experience Your cleansing, from the inside out.
Mold our wills to do Your will.
It is the only way that we can truly honor You.

Twila Charles Leichty
February 19, 2010