James 4:5-9 “Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.”
Yesterday, I talked about how a carnal believer (one not walking in the Spirit) produces fruit that is of the flesh. In the above verses, which follow the description of the fruit of the carnal Christian, God’s remedy for carnality can be seen.
In order to change, it is necessary that we admit our need for a change. Our hearts still lust for carnal things (vs. 5).
I. He Gives More Grace (vs. 6)
The change begins when the believer looks to God for help to be what He wants us to be. We cannot do what only the Spirit of God in us can do. God “giveth more grace.” If we ask for it, He is willing to give us more grace – which here refers to strength or ability.
The hindrance to receiving God’s grace is pride. It is necessary to humble ourselves before Him.
II. Submit Yourself to God (vs. 7)
Be God’s servant. Punch in on God’s time clock and do not punch out. Glorify God in your body, which is the temple of God.
III. Resist the Devil (vs. 7)
“and he will flee from you.” Before Satan will ever flee, you must be submitted to God. Satan will flee from Christ in you, not you. He also knows if you are submitted to God or not.
We strengthen our desire to serve God and get victory by hiding the Word in our heart: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Ps. 119:11).
IV. Draw Nigh to God (vss. 8,9)
“and he will draw nigh to you.”
This is a beautiful promise. God wants so much to fellowship with you that He will meet you halfway. You take the first step and He will also take one.
In order to draw nigh, two things are necessary:
- “Cleanse your hands” – stop doing evil (sin)
- “Purify your hearts” – confess wrong desires and seek God’s help to think and do right. Be sorry for your sin: “be afflicted and mourn.”
God waits for us to draw nigh to Him in sincerity. He will bless those that do.