You adulterers and adulteresses, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:4 WEB
To begin chapter four of his epistle, James continues his bold condemnation of worldly wisdom teaching that a friend of the world is an enemy of God. Explaining worldly wisdom he writes in James 3:14-16, “But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed. WEB”
James continues teaching the difference between worldly wisdom and the wisdom that comes from God. Describing godly wisdom he writes in James 3:17-18, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. WEB” In this context, James describes anyone who is a friend of the world as an enemy of God.
God and Mammon
Therefore, friendship with the world is to follow worldly wisdom with all of its selfish ambitions, carnal desires, and jealousy. Worldly wisdom leads a man or woman to do whatever it takes to get ahead of others in this world. In doing so, we create petty rivalries, fighting in competition with others to promote our own interests. Driven by ambition and envy, worldly wisdom tends a person toward seeking material wealth and carnal satisfaction rather than seeking God and the things of the Spirit. Warning against this, Jesus said in Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon. WEB”
Chosen Out of the World
James equates the selfish ambition of the flesh to adultery. Like an unfaithful wife who cheats on husband, Christians who follow the wisdom of the world betray God. If our focus is on the physical world and material gain, we become an enemy of God. Jesus called each of us out of the world to live in the Spirit and to rely on God as the bride of Christ.
The Lord said to his disciples in John 15:19, “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. WEB” To be clear, we are commanded to love even our enemies in this world, but we are not to live like we did before our repentance as friends of the world. Anyone who lives by worldly wisdom is an enemy of God.
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for the clarity of your holy word. Thank you for the gospel of peace. Lead me away from selfish ambition as I submit to your will for my life. Guide me and provide for me as I do my best to live and love like you. In Jesus name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: He Who Seeks Finds
