“Christian” Adultery
Unconverted churchgoers
1. Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?
2. You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.
3. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
4. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
I think that the apostles knew that, when they wrote to the Christian churches, that they were not writing to a congregation of totally converted people. Yet they wrote for the benefit of all, converted and unconverted. The apostle, John, taught that those, who left the church, proved by their departure that they were never true believers, though they formerly congregated with them: “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us” (1 Jn.2:19).
Paul showed that “from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves” (Ac.20:30). He said that divisions in the church were necessary to reveal those who were approved as true Christians: “For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you” (1 Co.11:19). Later, he challenged the members to examine their own lives to make sure that they were genuine: “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified” (2 Co.13:5).
Jeremiah, especially, but other prophets also, revealed that there were false prophets and priests, among the leadership of Israel: “The priests did not say, 'Where is the LORD?' And those who handle the law did not know Me; The rulers also transgressed against Me; The prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit” (Jer.2:8). Jesus taught clearly that the same trend reached a climax in His day. He affirmed, concerning the leadership in Jerusalem: “But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you” (Jn.5:42). “Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, 'I do not know Him,' I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and keep His word” (Jn.8:55). He told His disciples: “And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me” (Jn.16:3).
The verses, which I quote in the last paragraph, contain the basic truth that points to the major flaw in these religious leaders; it is true in every person, who makes a false claim of Christianity. When Jesus prayed to the Father, He mentioned the central ingredient in all true followers of Christ; it is a personal, direct knowledge of the Father and the Son: “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (Jn.17:3).
There is much more to be taught on this subject in the Scriptures, such as John teaches about the true Christians who do righteousness, the false members that Jesus exposed in the seven churches in Revelations, and the teaching in Hebrews, chapters 6 and 10, regarding those who experienced the atmosphere of genuine Christianity, but did not possess spiritual life. Also, Jesus taught a parable on wheat and tares that relates to the same issue that we are covering.
John wrote an epistle with the express purpose of describing many characteristics of true Christians (1 Jn.5:13); he also shows the major characteristics of those who are false. High on that list, are those, who love this present world system: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 Jn.2:15). James speaks of the same trait in the chapter that is before us today: “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (Jm.4:4).
I can reach no other conclusion, as we begin this chapter, but that there are unconverted people attending the Jewish Christian churches, who have not the Spirit of God, but walk according to the flesh. We also must understand that genuine Christians are not perfect, but have had individual incidents, if not periods of time, in which we all have relied on the flesh. Paul teaches that some will be saved, but their work, which is built with wood, hay and straw, will be burned (1 Co.3:12-15). He also teaches the Galatians: “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish” (Gal.5:16-17). The true Christian has a struggle within, between the flesh and the Spirit. Situations are not easily judged and we will leave final judgment to God, but it is still quite evident that there are people, among those to whom James writes, who are not Christians at all.
In the last chapter, we learned about a wisdom that is not from above, but is earthly, sensual and demonic (3:14-15). People, who are not mastered by the new creation, but continue to be enslaved by the Adamic nature, are possessed by desires for pleasure, and provoke wars and fights in the church (1). James has learned enough of this carnality and decides it is time to address it. He has heard of lust, which has aroused hatred and as Jesus taught, it is capable of murder (Mt.5:22). Notice the synonyms in verses 1 and 2… desires for pleasure, lust and covetousness.
There is a remedy for these disturbances, and it’s found in true prayer. Prayer is totally absent in these controversies, these people thinking that they have a better way to settle their differences. That, of course, is evidence of self-confidence, self-sufficiency, and self-righteousness, none of which is conducive to prayer. I hope I quote Len Ravenhill correctly, in saying that people. who are self-confident do not want to pray, those who are self-sufficient, do not need to pray, and those who are self-righteous cannot pray.
In verse 3, James goes on to tell the difference between an act of prayer and a true heart motive behind prayer. Some do attempt prayer, but their prayer is ineffectual, because there is error in their motives. Warren Wiersbe says, “It has well been said that the purpose of prayer is not to get man’s will done in heaven, but to get God’s will done on earth." Carnality again, in the form of human desire, lusts, and covetousness is totally obstructing the manner, in which Christians should have access to the presence of God, the most important activity in Christianity.
Unfaithfulness to God should be seen as spiritual adultery in the church. In the Old Testament it is defined as idolatry and it is exactly the same thing in the New Testament. Probably the clearest teaching to Israel and Judah is done in parabolic form in the entire chapter of Ezekiel 23. It is also expressed in Jeremiah 3:1-5, and to illustrate this condition, the prophet Hosea is instructed to take a wife in harlotry (Hos.1:2). The church, to whom James writes, is unfaithful to her Husband, and is yielding to a competitive suitor, appealing to the flesh. For this reason, some, claiming the Faith, are still outside, and others, although inside, are seriously deterred in the walk of the Spirit.
The suitor is this world system, which is God’s enemy. No one can continue in a friendly relationship with the world and, at the same time, walk faithfully with God (4). Let me expound for a moment longer on this issue. I will suggest that this is not only about enjoying the world’s entertainment, but concerns also the security it offers and the basic needs that it supplies. Jesus taught about worrying over necessities in Matthew 6:25-34 and Luke 12:22-31. During the Great Tribulation, the Antichrist will demand allegiance, by marking all who yield, with his number on their foreheads or right hand, and forbidding all, who refuse to take the mark, to buy or sell. In this way, he cuts off their livelihood (Rv.13:16-18).
Humility is a condition for salvation
5. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"?
6. But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "GOD RESISTS THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE."
7. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
8. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
9. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
10. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
11. Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.
12.
There is one
Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge
another?
Now, in verse 5, we will take a look at the revelation of God, as a jealous God; this is, loving, holy jealousy. I could give many texts, which teach us this characteristic of the Lord, because it is often stated. But here is one, which is very clear, in Exodus 34:14: “For you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” It is expressed throughout the Old Testament and now we have it in the book of James. His people are to love Him with all their heart, all their souls, all their mind and all their strength. I should not have to say to any Christian that He is worthy of all that He demands of us and more. He is just, for being a jealous God, and, notice the capital letter… His name is Jealous. Let us not provoke Him to jealousy; but let us be 100% faithful to His love for us.
James follows this just attribute of God with the promise of grace. We do have a condition here, however… We must come humbly. There are always conditions. Repentance is a condition, faith is a condition, and humility is a condition for salvation. If this were not so, salvation would be universal. Never think that you can come unrepentant, faithless and arrogant before God and still receive His grace. It’s not going to happen. If there is any one thing that I have learned from a lifetime of the study of Scripture, it is that God resists the proud. On the other hand, be sure that He must give grace (6) in order that we can receive from Him, in any case.
Humility submits to God and the devil will flee from a humble soul, who resists him. On the other hand, no resistance from the proud will cause him to take one step backward (7). He will mock the feigned resistance, because he finds good company with the proud. Grace will draw you near to God and, by His grace, He will meet you, when you come to Him.
James identifies some of the readers or hearers of his letter. Some, who are sinners, must come with clean hands, forsaking their sins, and the double-minded that he addressed in the first chapter, must quiet the waves of unbelief. Do you remember that we studied the Greek definition of the word double-minded, which James uses: dipsuchos… two souls? It signifies divided loyalty, the very thing that has provoked God’s jealousy. It means that there is another element in that person’s life and it is an idol. It will destroy faith… so purify your heart (8)!
In verse 10, he again refers to the blessed attitude of humility, as seen in God’s eyes. How often have we quoted 2 Chronicles 7:14, but have we noticed the first condition? “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves…” We must get past this hurdle, before we can pray effectively and receive grace to turn from our wicked ways. It must happen, before He will hear from heaven, forgive our sin and heal. Lifting comes after prostration in His presence.
James longs for remorse and repentance, because he knows that the atmosphere of heaven will follow. He turns to Christian relationship among brethren. Harmony among believers is a coveted, beautiful situation, void of unhealthy side effects or negative results. It is a “blessing of the Lord that adds no sorrow with it” (Pro.10:22): “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!... For there the Lord commanded the blessing” (Ps.133). It is the atmosphere of heaven and a privilege that cannot be found anywhere below. Because of its value, it is necessary for evil speaking to end. Brethren must be esteemed for their worth, because of what Jesus Christ has invested in them. To be sure, there must be judgment and discipline in the church… Can we not see that James is correcting many errors in these five chapters? But in his apostolic work, he is not bringing personal accusations or demeaning comments against his own “family in Christ”.
Because of our limited wisdom and understanding of God’s ways, final judgment must be left in His hands. Yes, outright sins must be exposed; ugly attitudes must be criticized. We know that these things are harmful and will do unspeakable damage, if Christians do not humbly deal with them. Beyond that, there is only one Lawgiver, Who can give the final word. That is as far as we can go with church discipline, because we cannot see what is in the hearts of others. We should expend our efforts in living under the perfect law of liberty (2:12).
Extreme arrogance or ‘hubris’
13. Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit";
14. whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
15. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that."
16. But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
17. Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
There is something to be learned from this section on presumption, even in the very basic and common affairs of life (13). In this area, we may go beyond our rights and begin to play God with our plans and our agenda. Notice, it is not ours to say ‘when’: Today or tomorrow. It is not ours to say ‘where’: Such and such a city. It is not ours to say ‘how long’: Spend a year there. It is not ours to say ‘what we will do’: Buy and sell. And finally, it is not ours to predict ‘the results’ of these plans: Make a profit.
It is for us to recognize
that on the day of our salvation, we surrendered to the lordship of Jesus
Christ and that included how we would live our daily lives, according to His
will. James tells us that we should be continually conscious of His sovereign
reign and purpose in us and through us (15). Without question, this is best for
our wellbeing, because He is totally aware of the future and we are very
limited, concerning this knowledge .
We all know of people, who died in their youth or their childhood. We also know of many miscarriages, babies dying in the womb. We know of those who were killed at all ages of life. Life gives no guarantees and passes extremely rapidly. Those of us, who are going through our elderly years can attest to that. Life is like a vapor, that is short and delicate. How shocked we were when we heard that our friend, Jim, who seemed to be in perfect health, died from a clot, that lay silently in his bloodstream, and then flowed swiftly to his brain! Only God knows, we do not, when the vapor will disappear. Therefore, the control of our existence belongs to Him (15).
Human arrogance is mindboggling. It is the summit of all moral weaknesses and the most foolish. Please forgive my ignorance, but I have to admit that it was not too many years ago that I learned the word ‘hubris’. It is a word that comes directly from the Greek and has a Greek concept. They saw it as an extreme arrogance that was not afraid to even defy the gods. Leave the ancient Greeks to their polytheism and consider the fact that weak, little human beings are not afraid to challenge the true and living God, Who created the universe. I recently heard a preacher say, He is so great and majestic that “He can fold the universe and stick it in His pocket”. A very clear example of hubris is portrayed in the fall of Lucifer, who dared to attempt to defy God and was thrown from heaven. Hubris is extreme, unreasoning arrogance that, I think, has a synonym called insanity.
James said that those, who did not consider the shortness and delicate nature of their existence, were guilty of evil arrogance (16). The ignorant pagan, living in the jungle, with primitive thinking and living, is a sinner, of course. However, his guilt cannot be compared to the professing Christian, who is accustomed to live under a banner of truth. He is found within the “church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 T.3:15). He exists lightly and frivolously in this solemn atmosphere, falling short of surrendering to its Lord, continuing service to his ego. He wants to reap the most that he can from the benevolent nature of the Omnipotent, but continue his merry way in life. He knows to do good, but he trivially plays away his life without getting involved. His fate is far worse than the ignorant heathen in the jungle, who never learned that there is a Maker, with Whom he must give account (17).
I had better not refer to these dangerous attitudes, without giving an opportunity to some reader, who needs to awake to his condition. I have mentioned those, who attend church and may be members who, through their own carelessness, are still outside of Christ. Is that you, my friend? Are you assuming Christianity without repenting and surrendering your life to Christ? Are you planning today or tomorrow to go somewhere and do something for your own profit? Are you in the center of the eternal purposes of God or are you drifting along in your own will and way? I say, “Wake up and tend to your salvation immediately!
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