Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales

Source: The Life Application Study Bible

1 “What is causing the quarrels and fights among you?  Isn’t it the whole army of evil desires at war within you?  2 You want what you do not have, so you scheme and kill to get it.  You are jealous for what others have, and you can not possess it, so you fight and quarrel to take it away from them.  And yet the reason you do not have what you want is that you do not ask GOD for it.  3 And even when you do ask, you do not get it because your whole motive is wrong – you want only what will give you pleasure.” ~ James 4:1-3

 

Conflicts and disputes among believers are always harmful.  James explains that these quarrels result from evil desires battling within us:  We want more possessions, more money, higher status, more recognition.  When we do not get what we want, we fight in order to have it.  Instead of aggressively grabbing what we want, we should submit ourselves to GOD, and ask HIM to help us get rid of our selfish desires and trust HIM to give us what we really need.

James mentions the most common problems in prayer: not asking, asking for the wrong things, or asking for the wrong reasons.  Do you talk to GOD at all?  When you do, what do you talk about?  Do you ask only to satisfy your desires?  Do you seek GOD’s approval for what you already plan to do?  Our prayers will become powerful when we allow GOD to change our desires so that they perfectly correspond to HIS will for us.   – 21 “Dear friends, if our conscience is clear, we can come to GOD with bold confidence.  22 And we will receive whatever we request because we obey HIM and do the things that please HIM.”  – 1 John 3:21-22   – If our conscience is clear, we can come to GOD without fear, confident that our requests will be heard.  John reaffirms Jesus’ promise that whatever we ask for will be given to us.   – “Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for.  Keep on looking, and you will find.  Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened.”  – Matthew 7:7  – Jesus tells us to persist in pursuing GOD.  People often give up after a few halfhearted efforts and conclude that GOD cannot be found.  But knowing GOD takes faith, effort, focus, and follow-through.  When we do this, Jesus assures us that we will be rewarded.  We should not give up on our efforts to seek GOD.  Continue to ask HIM for more knowledge, patience, wisdom, love, and understanding.  HE will give them to us.   – “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”  – Matthew 21:22  – Now, do not get too excited, this verse is not a guarantee that we can get anything we want simply by asking Jesus and believing.  GOD does not grant requests that would hurt us or others or that would violate HIS own nature or will.  Jesus’ statement is not a blank check.  To be fulfilled, our requests must be in harmony with the principles of GOD’s Kingdom.  The stronger our belief, the more likely our prayers will be in line with GOD’s will, and then GOD will be happy to grant them.  We will receive if we obey and do what pleases HIM because we will then be asking in line with GOD’s will.  Of course, this does not mean that if we are seeking riches, we will have them.  If we are truly seeking GOD’s will, there are some requests we will not make.

There is nothing wrong with wanting a pleasurable life.  GOD gives us good gifts that HE wants us to enjoy.   – “However, HE has given each one of us a special gift according to the generosity of Christ.”  – Ephesians 4:7  – Each believer has GOD-given abilities that can strengthen the whole body of Christ.  Your special ability may seem small or large, but it is yours to use in GOD’s service.  Ask GOD to use your unique gifts to contribute to the strength and health of the body of believers.   – 4 “Since everything GOD created is good, we should not reject any of it.  We may receive it gladly, with thankful hearts.  5 For we know it is made holy by the Word of GOD and prayer.”  – 1 Timothy 4:4-5   – Paul affirms that everything GOD created is good.  We should ask for GOD’s blessing on HIS created gifts that give us pleasure and thank HIM for them.  This does not mean that we should abuse what GOD has made – for example: gluttony abuses GOD’s gift of good food, lust abuses GOD’s gift of love, and murder abuses GOD’s gift of life.  Rather than abusing, we should enjoy these gifts – food, love, life, etc…  – by using them to serve and honor GOD.

Have you thanked GOD for the good gifts HE has given you?  Are you using the gifts in ways pleasing to you and to GOD?

 

Father, we know that YOU created everything, therefore we know that it is good, and we do not reject any of it.  We receive it gladly and with thankful hearts, because it is made holy by YOUR Word, Father GOD.  Bless our gifts LORD and help us to use them in ways that are not only pleasing to us, but more importantly, pleasing to YOU.

 

Photo: Bar Harbor (Maine)

Photo By: Lisa K Gonzales

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