Verses one through ten– These verses deal with a person’s relationship with Almighty God. How one approaches them determines whether the Biblical God will be one’s master or will one be one’s own master. According to Matthew 7:13,14, God looses that battle almost every time. And note that Matthew is addressing God’s church. Servanthood is a choice on the part of the servant. Who one chooses to serve determines one’s eternity. In these verses the Lord, through James, warns His people about looking inward for leadership and direction. He says that those who are not totally sold out to Him are in a constant conflict with Him, continuously pitting their own desires and wills against His. These He will reject on the Day of Judgment. See The Church, the Gospel and the Goats.

Lust–the desire to satisfy self–is adulterous by definition. An adulterous person has one goal only–satisfy his own ever-growing desires. Upon meeting those needs one find himself in an adulterous situation, constantly returning to that (things, sensations, etc.) that satisfy an inward power that grows exponentially as it is continually fed. Soon one’s desires become needs. Needs then give way to addictions–ONE CANNOT BE HAPPY WITHOUT A FIX. At this point only the things of the world can satisfy the addict’s craving. ONE HAS BECOME A FRIEND OF THE WORLD, MAKING HIM THE ENEMY OF GOD (vs. 4). Once the fix overcomes the voice of God (His Word) the addict has become a lover of the world and will do whatever is necessary to maintain the affair.

In the church world the “fix” that is universally craved is acceptance which prevents the addict from changing, even after he learns God’s Truth. Pride and fear combine to force him to continue in his self- destructive behavior. Pride is extremely powerful, it will not allow the acceptance addict bring himself to admit not only that he is wrong, but that he has been wrong all along. Fear bears heavily on the one who knows the Truth but clings to “the way I was taught.” Though knowing that tradition does not overrule God’s stated way and will, people are afraid of being rejected on the spiritual level by friends, family members, former churchmates, etc. AND THEY WILL, which is why God warned us to count the cost before accepting Him as the Bearer of Truth and the provider of salvation. He warns not to put one’s hand to the plough then look back. Remember Lot’s wife.

Verses thirteen through sixteen continue on the subject of self-adoration by warning against making hard and fast plans without regard to the will of God. As mere “vapors of smoke,” we humans must always plan with a mind-set that recognizes the omniscient power of God. To not do so is to practice self-governance. God calls making plans without such recognition “boasting,” which He labels as “evil.”

Verses 7 through 10 provide the formula for kicking any addiction: one must submit to God; resist the devil; draw nigh to the Lord; cleans oneself (using the Scriptures); purify oneself; become single (God)-minded; weep and mourn (fast) over one’s sins; humble oneself before God. Having done these things in honesty and with faith, GOD WILL LIFT UP THE PETITIONER.

Verse seventeen is the most important verse in this chapter. Its message: To know to do the right and not do it is sin. How do we know what is right? God tells us in His Word. L.J.