Pastor Steve's Sermon Notes
October 27, 2002

In this passage on how to avoid arguments James gives us both the cause and the cure—the reason for argument and the remedy.

“What causes fights and quarrels among you. Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?” James says that the cause of arguments is conflicting desires. PRIDE.

Three Basic Desires That Cause Conflict

THE DESIRE TO HAVE

“You want what you don't have ... you long for what others have.” (vs. 2) God created “things” to be used and to enjoy. That's what they're there for. We use things and love people. The problem is when we start loving things. When we start loving things we get the equation backwards. We start loving things and using people—manipulating them, controlling them.

THE DESIRE TO FEEL

“You want only what will give you pleasure.” (vs. 3) It's not wrong to enjoy life. 1 Timothy 6:17 says, “God made everything for our enjoyment.” But when pleasure becomes the number one goal in your life you're asking for conflict.

THE DESIRE TOBE

This is pride, power, prominence, popularity. I want to be number one. It's the desire for “me first.” James tells us that pride—when we think we can do things on our own—causes two problems. “You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives.” (vs. 2) Here James tells us two reasons why our desires aren't fulfilled. First, we don't pray. We don't ask God. We look to the wrong source. Second, when we do pray, we usually pray with the wrong motive. We ask things in a selfish way. The Bible has said that everything I need God has promised to provide: “My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19).

THE CURE FOR ARGUMENTS IS HUMILITY

“God ... gives grace to the humble. Humble yourself before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” (vs. 6, 10) What is grace? Grace is God's power to change.

Four Specific Actions To Diffuse Conflict:

Give In To God

“Submit yourself then to God.” (vs. 7) Let God be God in your life. Give Him control. Put Him in charge. Yield yourself to Him. This is the starting point. Quit trying to run your own life.

Get Wise To Satan

Be aware, be alert. Realize what he's doing. Realize where the conflict comes from and that he's the source behind it. “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” The word “resist” is a war term. It means to be prepared. To stand against. Withstand an attack.

Grow Closer To God

The more time we spend alone with God, the better we get along with other people. “He will keep him in perfect peace all those who trust in Him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord.” (Isaiah 26:3)

Be Willing To Ask Forgiveness

If you want to stop the conflicts in your life, if you want to get along with other people, avoid arguments, learn to ask forgiveness from God and from those you hurt. “Wash your hands ... purify your hearts...” (vs. 8) Our hands represent our conduct and hearts represent attitudes.