IV Pollution of the heart and Solution for the heart: (Chap.4)
James paints a picture of the Church as their members wanted their own way and their own advantage. James makes it very clear that these struggles are not from God and calls on those involved to repent and be forgiven.
- The pollution of the human heart: (4:1-5, 11-13, 16-17)
- Envy, wickedness, fighting and quarrelling: (4:1): It seems that there was much strife in the church. James writes that they suffer from an infection of worldly wisdom. It is true that that the source of the conflicts is in their selfish desires, trying to satisfy their own desires rather than focussing on the desires of God and the need of others. This kind of attitude would greatly harm and destroy the entire congregation.
- Killings: (4:2): Because people had jealousy and lusted against others and coveted others belongings, they resorted to even killings. The root cause of this sin is lust, covet and jealousy.
- Total prayer breakdown: (4:2b, 3): God’s promise is always with us. Ask and it shall be given. The congregation does not ask, they don’t pray and ask God their provisions, their needs etc. There is a total breakdown of prayer.
- Love for the world: (4:4): To make friendship with the world means to accept the wisdom of this world. The worldly wisdom opposes God. Thus one who lives by the world’s standards is hostile to God. Any believer or Christian turns to worldly wisdom and compromises with the world is unfaithful to God is seen as unfaithful and committing adultery.
- Grieving the Holy Spirit: (4:5): By our jealousy, we grieve the Holy Spirit. Every believer must feed himself to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit who indwells in us, must have strong diet with the Word of God rather than the worldly thoughts. God jealously longs for our faithfulness and our love(Ex.20:5) and so the Holy Spirit longs jealously for our full devotion.
- Slandering: (4:11-12): Having called for repentance, James says that Christians are not to slander one another or speak evil about or say bad things against one another. As far as James is concerned, whether the things said are true or not, critical words divide the community and are not in order. Further one should not judge his brother or the church member because God is our Judge. We are nobody to judge any one.
- Boasting about the future: (4:13, 16-17): The author suggests all Christians to seek God’s plan and follow God’s will in their use of money. No one knows what will happen tomorrow. But for Christian, God has our future in His hands. So one should not boast and brag, or, or boast in their pride (1 Jn.2:16). Their boasting and pride implies that they are laying plans that God did not make, claiming an ability to control life which they do not have, and boasting about the good deals they will make. This is nothing but the love of the world.
Further suggests that Christians in the church certainlyknow the good and what they ought to do. Then why not consult God and ask Him what ought to be done with the money? Perhaps they do not do this out of fear that God would ask them to share it with others. They do not do that good, so they are sinning. There is no theft or immorality or other crime in their lives. They may be honest businessmen, but they sinning that they are not doing what they are supposed to do it. This is the sin of omission. They want ignore God’s teaching.