Couples,

 

War is a fact of life in spite of treaties, world peace organizations, or threats of atomic bombs.  There are wars on almost every level of life.  James discuss three wars going on in the world and how these wars can be stopped.

 

This week we took a look at the first two wars James speaks about in his letter to the Christian Jews in Jerusalem.  First, we are at war with each other (James 4:1a, 11-12).  In verse 11 & 12,  we see the tongue (discussed in James 3) being used in the wrong way.  The Christian Jews were speaking evil of one another and judging one another.  We are not called to be judges.  God is the only Judge (4:12).  We must show mercy, forgiving one another, even an enemy.  However,  James is not speaking against correcting the wrong behavior of a fellow Christian.  If our fellow brethren's behavior does not line up with the Word of God, we are instructed to approach that individual in love (Eph 4:15) about their wrong behavior (Matt. 18:15-19; Gal. 6:1-2).  We are not judging the person but the behavior. 

 

The world is watching these wars among the Christian community.  In John 17:21, Jesus prayed, "that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me."  Now let's relate this even closer than to just the people we come in contact with at work or during our daily errands.  What about your children?  If they see and hear mom and dad fighting like cats and dogs and no genuine repentance or forgiveness taking place, they will question if this faith you have introduced to them really is what they what.

 

James explains that Christians war with one another because of the second war going on in the world.  This war he describes in verses 1b-3.  We are at war with ourselves.  The bottom line is SELFISHNESS!  Miriam and Aaron (Numbers 12) complained about Moses' wife but really they were envious of Moses' authority.  James & John, sons of Zebedee & disciples of Jesus, asked for special thrones in the kingdom of God but really they wanted recognition right then (Mark 10:35-45). The brothers' selfish desires lead to quarreling among Jesus' disciples. (Luke 9:46-48).  The selfish desires of Miriam & Aaron caused the progress of the whole nation of Israel to come to a halt for a whole week! (Num. 12)

 

Our selfish desires put the progress of our marriages, family, and church at a HALT!