James 4

Where Do Your Struggles Come From?

I. The Nature of Our Problems

A. The inward side of lust

1. An intrinsically corrupt nature - Eph. 2:3; John 3:6

2. The warring law of sin in our members - Rom. 7:23

3. The warring pleasures in our members - James 4:1

4. Living with unfulfilled lusts - James 4:2

5. A self-seeking nature - James 3:14-17; 4:3

6. Inward resolves - James 4:4; 1 Tim. 6:9-10

B. The outward side of the world matching our lusts

1. Friendship with the world - James 4:4

2. Corruption in the world through lust - 2 Pet. 1:4

3. Loving the world with its lusts - 1 John 2:15-17

C. The divine side of a life opposing our lusts

1. The intrinsic jealousy of the S/spirit - James 4:5; Phil. 1:8

a) The Spirit is territorial with its redeemed property - Eph. 1:13-14

2. The intrinsic conflict between the flesh and the Spirit - Gal. 5:17

D. The symptoms of our intrinsic problems

1. Judging and speaking evil of the brothers - James 4:1, 11-12

2. Pride cloaking the devil - James 4:6-7

3. A lack of sensitivity to our actual condition - James 4:9

4. Deceived about ourselves - James 4:16; 1 John 2:16

5. Resolving and exposing our profaneness - James 4:4; 1 Tim. 6:9; Heb. 12:16

II. The Divine Solution to Our Problems

A. Let your problems humble you - James 4:6

B. Position yourself for grace - James 4:6

1. Sin abounding and grace abounding - Rom. 5:20

C. The law of drawing near to God - James 4:8; Rom. 8:1-4

D. What happens in drawing near to God

1. Dealing with our sinful doings - James 4:8

2. Dealing with our divided heart and soul - James 4:8

3. Be wretched! - James 4:9; Rom. 7:24; Rev. 3:17

4. Being humbled in the Lord's presence - James 4:10

E. Exposing our deepest problem

1. Independence from God - James 4:13-15

2. Independence and the real nature of sin - James 4:13-17

3. Good and living dependent upon God - James 4:18

a) Examples: Rom. 1:10; 15:32; 1 Cor. 16:4-7

F. Let your mixed motives and anxiety make you dependent - James 4:15; Matt. 6:19-34