Just over eight years ago our nation was attacked by high-jacked airplanes that crashed into the tall towers of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania. Many of us have watched those tragic scenes replayed many times. Since soon after September 11, 2001, our nation has been engaged in an unusual war, a war against terrorism, a war that is not over. Terrorism also continues in the Middle East between the Palestinians and the Israelites. Along with this we realize that crime is running rampant and many are afraid to walk the streets of cities. Families are being destroyed with unfaithfulness, divorce, neglect and abuse. Lawsuits have become commonplace.

In chapter four of the letter of James he deals with war, explaining three wars going on in our world. He began with a question. What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? My brothers and sisters in Christ, it makes me sad to realize that James is primarily addressing Christians, or at least those who claim to be.

THREE WARS:

I. With One another

James spoke of quarrels and conflicts among you. I have no personally visited with anyone about the tragedy that took place on September 11 that spoke well of those who were responsible for the devastation and terrible loss of life. I assume that many of us have spoken words condemning these atrocities.

Yet, let me ask. Dare we stand in condemnation of these hostilities in our world without an even deeper grief seeing professing Christians at war with one another? The Psalmist wrote, "Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwells together in unity.

Recall that this letter of James was a general letter to be circulated among the churches, so James may have various examples in mind from several churches. In chapter two (1-9) he had spoken about class wars between the rich the poor. Later on in chapter five (1-6) we read of employment wars in which the wealthy had power to control. In chapters one and three James talked about church fights (19-21) and 3:13-19. James addressed wars in local church over positions of leadership. Individuals in church thought their ideas were the only right ideas and their ways were the only right ways. Selfish ambition ruled their meetings, not submission to Jesus Christ. Does this ever happen in our church? Can we honestly admit that it does and confess it to God and to the brothers and sisters we have hurt?

James tells of personal wars within church, among those who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ as he wrote of those speaking evil of one-another and judging, including misusing the tongue which we spent three weeks considering. We are not to speak evil in a spirit of rivalry and criticism, but to speak the truth in love.

The Devil gains another victory when Christians are at war with each other. Then the world could watch and say, "Behold, how they hate one another." Instead, could people say of our Adel United Methodist fellowship, "Behold, how they love one another?" Is this true and obvious to our community?

Why are we at war with one-another? Don't we belong to the same family of God? Don't we trust the same Savior? Aren't we indwelt by the same Holy Spirit? Then why is there fighting going on with one another? James answers by telling us about the second war going on.

II. With Ourselves

Reread verse 1.

War in the hearts of people within the church is causing wars in the church. Look at 3:14-16.

The essence of sin is selfishness and disobedience. remember Eve and Adam. They wanted to be like God.

Recall the words of the prophet Isaiah (53:6), "We have turned everyone to his own way. We can also think of Bible characters like Abraham who lied about his wife to protect himself and about Achan who brought calamity to God's people when he would not confess his sin.

Pastor Wiersbe wrote, "Often we veil our religious quarrels under the disguise of spirituality." Perhaps we are like Miriam and Aaron who complained about Moses' wife, but who were really envious of Moses' authority. Numbers 12. Miriam's sin halted the progress of Israel for a week. Or perhaps we imitate James and John who asked for special thrones in the kingdom, when what we really want is recognition today.

Many years ago Philo wrote:
"Consider the continual war which prevails among men even in times of peace, and which exists not only between nations and countries and cities, but also between private houses, or, I might rather say, is present within every individual man; observe the unspeakable raging storm in men's souls that is exciting by the violent rush of the affairs of life; and you may well wonder whether anyone can enjoy tranquility in such a storm, and maintain calm amidst the surge of the billowing sea."

Selfish desires can be dangerous, leading to wrong actions. V.2. This can even lead to wrong praying. V.3. When our praying is wrong our whole Christian life is wrong. Prayer is not to get man's will done in heaven, but to get God's will done on earth. People who are at war with themselves because of selfish desires are always unhappy. They do not enjoy life, but complain about what they do not have rather than be thankful for blessings they have.

Sometimes, instead of seeking God's will, we tell God what we think He is supposed to do and then we get angry at Him if he does not answer in our way. Many church and family problems would be solved if people would look into their own hearts and bring peaces to the battles raging there.

We are at war with ourselves and with one another because of the third war raging.

III. With Our God

While some would not admit that the root cause of war is war with God or rebellion against God I believe that the Scriptures teach this to be the case. When God created the world there was perfect harmony, but when the sin of disobedience and rebellion came this war began.

Now, as followers of Jesus Christ we probably do not want to be at war with our God, but we can fall into the trap if we are too friendly with God's enemies that James points out in this passage. To live at peace with God we need to be careful of our contact with the enemies of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Lets take a few minutes to consider these.

In verse 4 James mentioned the world, speaking of human society apart from God. The whole system of the society of our world is against, not toward God. Jesus came into a world system that was largely against the loving order he came to establish. We are instructed to live in the world, but to not live according to the ways of the world, which are contrary to what Jesus taught.

Flesh is mentioned in verses 1 and 5. I believe that this is speaking of the nature to sin that all human beings inherited from Adam and Eve, It is a nature that has a tendency to sin, to do that which is contrary to what the Holy Spirit would have us to do. When you and I repent of our sin and enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to live within us. However, the flesh, the old nature is still present and we may have a war going on within. If we live to please the flesh we will grieve the Spirit of God and be at war with God. Instead we are to choose to live in right relationship with God.

The final enemy that James mentioned in this passage was the devil, vv. 6-7. One of the greatest sins of the devil is pride and the devil tries to use that weapon against us. The devil tempted Eve and Adam with the idea of becoming like God, "You shall be like God." Not only was that idea appealing to them, it has been appealing to many through the ages. A practical example of this inside and outside of churches today is people who want to do things their own way. Sometimes we can be deceived into thinking that our way is better than God's way. Some even rationalize that their way is God's way. I have seen it happen.

Conclusion:

I hope that you are lovers of peace rather than ongoing war with ourselves, with other people and with God. I believe James gives us some excellent instructions.

We are to submit to God. v. 6,7. Like it or not, this is a military term that means, "get into your proper rank." When a private tries to be in charge over the general, there will be trouble. Are we willing to allow God to be in charge over us? Then we need to surrender all areas of our life to Him or there will be battles. Christians who are not willing to submit to the Lord are also at war with themselves and have a hard time living with others.

We are also to draw near to God. v. 7. My friends, it is sin that distances us from God. If we are to draw near to Him we must confess our sins and ask for His cleansing. Then God in His grace draws near to us.

Finally, we are to humble ourselves before God. v. 9,10. This may seem to be very similar to submitting to God. It may be possible for us to outwardly submit, but to not really be inwardly humble. So James may be adding this for emphasis.

I want to live at peace with others, with myself, and with my God. What about you?

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