James 4:5-17  In light of verse 4, the truth that friendship or partnership with what is worldly is deemed hostile to God, James says, "Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose; 'He jealously desires the Spirit which he has made to dwell in us.'? "  Now this is a difficult verse.  Even the commentary I use calls it difficult!  The various ways to interpret this verse bring us to think about two particular truths:

1. Humans have a problem with envy..  and yearning for the world.. which leads to sin.

2. God wants our whole hearts.. His Spirit wants us to fully yield to His leadership.  He is jealous for us!

We need our Lord's help to make the right choice. Thankfully.. He promises to do just that!

"But He gives a greater grace." (v6)

He gives that grace to those who will humble themselves before Him. The humble will find grace as they "submit therefore to God".. and as they "resist the devil".  When we humble ourselves before Him, we "draw near" to Him and He draws near to us. 

Humbling ourselves and drawing near to our God requires that we cleanse our hands, purify our hearts.. mourn our sins, and turn to Him for everything. "Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you." 

It takes this humility to walk according to the Truth, to learn endurance, to persevere in trials, to have wisdom from above.  Jesus is our example. As Paul wrote, "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." ( Phil. 2: 5-8) 

In humility we do not argue and quarrel and have conflict with each other over worldly goods.  In humility we will not speak against one another as if we have the right to judge.  In humility, we will not boast about things we cannot control. In humility we will do the right things, as we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us.. submitting to God and resisting the devil. 

Father in heaven, have Your way in us. Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  "Let your grace and truth preserve [us] always." ( Psalm 40:11)  May we proclaim what is right. May we declare Your faithfulness and salvation.  May we not hide Your righteousness, Your grace, or Your truth.  May we walk humbly with You, our great God and Father, loving mercy and doing justice, to the glory of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank You for hearing our prayers as we ask these things in His Holy Name. Amen.