James 4 – Walk This Way
What Causes Fights and Quarrels?
June 28, 2020
James 4:1-2 NIV
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.
The problem was not something out there. The root of the problem was inside them.
These people were full-blooded descendants of Adam and Eve who were wrestling with the same human brokenness.
What’s this battle we all fight?
Genesis 1:27-28 NIV
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
I have given you life, so give life!
Genesis 4:8-9 NIV
Now Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field." And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. 9 Then the Lord said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" "I don't know," he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?"
Yes, we are our brother’s keeper!
God’s gift to us is life, so we cherish and protect life.
Exodus 20:13 NIV
"You shall not murder.”
We can all agree on this, right? 😊 This was one of the first sins committed.
Matthew 5:21-24 NIV
"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. 23 "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”
Raca – Arabic word for contempt – literally empty-head or fool
We may never murder someone with our hands, but are there people we wish were dead?
Have we murdered people with our thoughts?
We live in a Raca world!!!
v.24 - First go, and be reconciled …
1. Confront in a timely manner.
2. Begin the confrontation with affirmation.
3. Listen intently to the other person.
4. Be honest and sincere.
5. Be gracious. Most people respond positively to positive confrontation.
“I’m so sorry”
“Please forgive me”
“I really value this relationship”
Luke 23:34 NIV
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them …”
