Solving Arguments for Today

Solving Arguments for Today

James 4:1-10

11-15-20

The Causes:

I.        The Desire to Possess.

James 4:1 – “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?”

James 4:2 – “You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel….” 

1 Timothy 6:17 – “God made everything for our enjoyment.”

Hebrews 13:5 – “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.””

Hebrews 10:34 – “…you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you…had a better possession…an abiding one.”

Luke 16:9 (NLT) – “Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends…when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.”

II.     The Desire to Feel Pleasure.

James 4:3 – “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.”

III.  The Desire to be Prideful.

James 4:2 – “…You do not have, because you do not ask.”

James 4:3 – “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.”

Proverbs 13:10 (CSB) – “Arrogance leads to nothing but strife…” 

Proverbs 11:2 – “…pride brings disgrace…”

IV.    The Cure for Arguments is Humility.

James 4:6 – “…God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 

James 4:10 – “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.”

Four Marks of Humility in Relationships:

1.    Submit to God.

James 4:7 – “Submit yourselves therefore to God…”

2.    Stand up to Satan. 

James 4:7 – “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

1 Chronicles 21:1 (NKJV) – “Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel.”

3.    Seek God.

James 3:8 – “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you…”

4.    Seek forgiveness and repentance.

James 4:8 – “…Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

James 4:10 – “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.”

Isaiah 26:3 – “He will keep him in perfect peace all those who trust in Him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord.”

Going Deeper This Week

1.      What did you learn from James 4:1-10?

2.      What did God show you this week about yourself?

3.      What are some of the biggest arguments in todays’ world? How do you navigate them?

4.      What is God’s desire in vs. 5? How does this relate to vs. 4? Now describe sin from this perspective.

5.      Read Philippians 2:3-5. What really causes problems in relationships? What is the cure? (See also 1 Thessalonians 2:8 and John 15:5)

Review the four marks of humility. How can each of these specifically enhance your relationships? Pray that our relationships will be rich in grace, humility, and in our witness to others.