Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. James 4:9

What comes to mind when you read the above verse? Do you think, “How negative! … That’s not a positive and happy thought”? Well, this verse actually reveals one of our forgotten elements as Christians. And that is, we don’t feel remorse over our sin. The Bible isn’t simply a book about how to feel good and think happy thoughts. That is an unrealistic “Peter Pan” philosophy, not Christianity. The truth is, we cannot find true fulfillment and abundant life until we hate our sin and love our God. Then, a full and rich life can be found in living in God’s will. Read today’s text carefully with this in mind and hear what God is saying to you personally today. 

1 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covetand cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. 4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? 6 But He gives more grace. Therefore, He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Humility Cures Worldliness 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil andhe will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:1-10 (NKJV)

Homework: Identify the five steps we must take to have peace with God according to verses 7 and 8. Thenkeep in mind that verse 9 describes what your attitude towards sin should be. Verse 10 describes what your attitude towards God should be.

May we all read, cherish and live God’s precious word.

Pastor Mike