The Fight with Self

Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don't have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn't yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it. You wouldn't think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you'd be asking for what you have no right to. James 4:1-3 (Message)

Ouch. The book of James has always been a two-edged sword for me. Packed with righteous living tips, James cuts with cold steel right to the truth of our actions. Our basic desires drive us to do things our hearts know we shouldn't do. I know this is true for me. I am willing to put aside morals, ethics and outright commandments to satisfy my own wants. I turn a blind eye to injustice, inequality, bias and sometimes law to get what I desire. James hits right where it hurts for me. I may not be outright killing to get my way, but how far does my negligence go?

For instance, in a song written by, of all things, a parody band, we aren't upset at our expensive clothes and other goods being manufactured by children in foreign countries because of the abuse they suffer. We are more upset because if the goods are being made so cheaply, why are they still so expensive? Let that sink in for a moment before you dismiss it. Don't we do this kind of thing everyday? As long as we get what we want, the wrongs behind it matter very little. Besides, who knows what really goes on behind the stuff we use or people we come in contact with? I know I plainly tell myself it is none of my business. I push ahead thinking it is someone else's problem, someone else's wrong that they are responsible to right. James brings me back to center, so then I know what I ought to do, not what I want to do.

Making conscientious choices and diligently seeking truth in the everyday is responsible and right living. Know what you are doing, and consider consequences. I am not trying to paralyze your decision-making, thinking that if you sneeze, will it cause a brutal stampede halfway around the world. I want us to be attentive to our actions, thorough in what we choose to do. James calls us to think about others, even at the expense of our own personal comfort. He knows our desires can get out of hand if not kept in check. Our humanity, unchecked can lead us astray and cause dire heartache and extensive consequences. Sometimes we know what we want is wrong, so we steer clear of that when praying. To me, if I can't pray for something, then I probably need to let it go. Maybe the root of that desire needs resolved or corrected. Selfish choices and desires are a symptom of our sin-nature and we need to address those choices honestly, not exacerbate them by giving in. James is calling us to honesty and selflessness, not greed and selfishness. The duality of our sin-nature versus our Christ-nature is always going to war within. But we have hope! James 4:7 provides the solution to our twofold nature: submit to God and resist the devil. If we are willing come near to God, He will come near to us (verse 8). We then find peace with God, not war with ourselves.

God, I submit to You. Grant me Your perfect peace and strengthen me to resist temptation. Amen.

Nikki Hamsher