James 4:4-8a — You callin' me a cheater???

 READ THIS: James 4:4-8a

4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:  “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8a Come near to God and he will come near to you.
 
WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

So, yesterday, James called us out for the times we're selfish, and, now, he's full on calling us adulterous people. Pretty bold. 

An adulterer is someone who, despite being married, decides to have incredibly intimate relations with someone else. It's possible that not too many people reading this feel called out by that. Personally, I don't, at least when I take it literally, but when I think a little bit deeper about what James means, I do. 

Think about it like this: You can't be married to one person and also have the same level of relationship with someone else. It's an exclusive relationship. With God, we are supposed to have an exclusive relationship where He comes absolutely first in our lives. We can't put Him and the world absolutely first. For example, we can't say we care the most about what God thinks of us, but then base all of our actions on what other people/the world thinks. We get to decide if we will submit to God...if we will put Him absolutely first. And, when we make that decision, it's like getting married. You've committed to an important relationship, to be near to God and experience what it's like to be tight with Him. But, when we choose to be way closer to someone or something else, that's cheating. Just like a husband would be jealous if a wife cheated on him, so God gets jealous (in a holy way) that we're choosing someone else over Him, because He knows that He's the best relationship for us and He loves us. 


THINK ABOUT IT:

1. What are some things or who are some people that sometimes hold first place in your life over God?

2. What is one thing you could do differently going forward that might help put God first?
 
TRY THIS:

Pray to God and ask Him to help you answer today's questions!

Comments

  1. AnonymousFebruary 4, 2023 at 8:16 AM

    Set some boundaries that will keep your focus on God. I love this illustration: I have a friend who is a large person that says each morning when they wake up, they roll over the side of their bed unto their knees and pray to God before they do anything else!!! Keep God first in your heart, mind and body!

    ReplyDelete
  2. YoooonahFebruary 6, 2023 at 4:15 AM

    Someone who I find myself putting first over God a lot is … me. I’ll find that instead of reading my Bible or instead of praying, I’ll do what I want to do in that moment

    ReplyDelete

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