James 4:4

James 4:4

Thoughts from Brian Cook

Dive Deeper

Captive- Swipe
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“You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

James 4:4

Captive- Behing The Scenes
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“You shall not commit adultery” is the sixth commandment God gave the Israelites. In the New Testament, Jesus broadened the definition of adultery, saying, “everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

Slide

While the dictionary definition of adultery involves a sexual act, prophets in the Old Testament frequently used adultery as a metaphor for idolatry. The image of infidelity in marriage paralleled God’s people being unfaithful to Him as they worshiped idols.

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Just as Jesus expanded the criteria for what constitutes adultery, the scope of the adultery in its metaphorical context is also expanded from Old to New Testament scriptures. While the prophets said the literal worship of idols violated the exclusive relationship between God and His people, James tells us you don’t have to actually bow down to a carved image to be considered adulterous in your faith. By wishing to be friends of the world, we violate the exclusive relationship God intended to have with each of us.

Captive- Make It Real
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Like we saw when Jesus expanded the definition of adultery, He is concerned with more than just our outward actions. He is also concerned with the posture of our hearts. So oftentimes, it’s not what we do that positions us as enemies of God as much as why we are doing it. Yes, there are many actions that are blatantly worldly and sinful. But we can also find ourselves committing adultery against God when we do the right things for the wrong reasons or in the wrong contexts.

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As I prepared to write this devotional, I spent several days praying for the Holy Spirit to reveal to me the areas in my life where I am prone to pursue friendship with the world over fidelity to God. I will share what came to light.

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The world celebrates ambition, and while the Bible exhorts us to pursue excellence, God’s word also warns us, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit.” I have to check my motives so often here. Am I pursuing excellence to serve others well and glorify God? Or am I acting out of selfish ambition and conceit, lusting after glory for myself?

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Here’s another area that can get me. The world tells us to prioritize self-care and look out for number one. God doesn’t forbid rest. In fact, He commands it! But He also promises He will be the one to give us rest when we come to Him. When our own pursuit of rest, ease and comfort becomes an excuse to forsake Christ’s call to live sacrificially, that is friendship with the world.

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We are experts at justifying our actions and explaining away our motives. We often deceive even ourselves! So, I invite you to pray for God’s Holy Spirit to convict you of the areas where your motives and desires are more worldly than godly. Pray earnestly, with a true longing to be a friend of God rather than a friend of the world. Call to mind the imagery of adultery that James uses to remind yourself of the seriousness of sin, even the sins of the heart that are hidden from other people.

Captive- End in Prayer
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Father, thank You for Your faithfulness to me, and for even desiring a relationship with me in the first place! You know my desire isn’t always for You and that I have been unfaithful to You. I can’t stand the thought of being Your enemy, so Holy Spirit, please show me where my desires and actions oppose You. Where am I prone to pursue friendship with the world over friendship with my Creator? Help me to take captive every thought so I can live for Your glory. In Jesus name, amen.

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“You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” 

James 4:4

Behind the Scenes

“You shall not commit adultery” is the sixth commandment God gave the Israelites. In the New Testament, Jesus broadened the definition of adultery, saying, “everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” 

While the dictionary definition of adultery involves a sexual act, prophets in the Old Testament frequently used adultery as a metaphor for idolatry. The image of infidelity in marriage paralleled God’s people being unfaithful to Him as they worshiped idols. 

Just as Jesus expanded the criteria for what constitutes adultery, the scope of the adultery in its metaphorical context is also expanded from Old to New Testament scriptures. While the prophets said the literal worship of idols violated the exclusive relationship between God and His people, James tells us you don’t have to actually bow down to a carved image to be considered adulterous in your faith. By wishing to be friends of the world, we violate the exclusive relationship God intended to have with each of us. 

Make it Real

Like we saw when Jesus expanded the definition of adultery, He is concerned with more than just our outward actions. He is also concerned with the posture of our hearts. So oftentimes, it’s not what we do that positions us as enemies of God as much as why we are doing it. Yes, there are many actions that are blatantly worldly and sinful. But we can also find ourselves committing adultery against God when we do the right things for the wrong reasons or in the wrong contexts.  

As I prepared to write this devotional, I spent several days praying for the Holy Spirit to reveal to me the areas in my life where I am prone to pursue friendship with the world over fidelity to God. I will share what came to light. 

The world celebrates ambition, and while the Bible exhorts us to pursue excellence, God’s word also warns us, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit.” I have to check my motives so often here. Am I pursuing excellence to serve others well and glorify God? Or am I acting out of selfish ambition and conceit, lusting after glory for myself? 

Here’s another area that can get me. The world tells us to prioritize self-care and look out for number one. God doesn’t forbid rest. In fact, He commands it! But He also promises He will be the one to give us rest when we come to Him. When our own pursuit of rest, ease and comfort becomes an excuse to forsake Christ’s call to live sacrificially, that is friendship with the world.  

We are experts at justifying our actions and explaining away our motives. We often deceive even ourselves! So, I invite you to pray for God’s Holy Spirit to convict you of the areas where your motives and desires are more worldly than godly. Pray earnestly, with a true longing to be a friend of God rather than a friend of the world. Call to mind the imagery of adultery that James uses to remind yourself of the seriousness of sin, even the sins of the heart that are hidden from other people.  

Hailey Schroeder

Hailey Schroeder

ACF Devo team

End in Prayer

Father, thank You for Your faithfulness to me, and for even desiring a relationship with me in the first place! You know my desire isn’t always for You and that I have been unfaithful to You. I can’t stand the thought of being Your enemy, so Holy Spirit, please show me where my desires and actions oppose You. Where am I prone to pursue friendship with the world over friendship with my Creator? Help me to take captive every thought so I can live for Your glory. In Jesus name, amen. 

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