After commending the peacemakers of the church (3:17-18), James turns his attention to the problems which were creating such a great need for these peacemaking efforts. In chapter 4 we are reminded of a sad reality: conflicts can be expected wherever people interact with each other. Unfortunately, community life is easily disrupted, even in the family of faith. Our typical response to conflict is to blame the other person, but James will not let us off the hook so easily. The bottom line, as he points out, is that we wanted something and didn’t get it! The battles among us spring from battles within us. And while frustrated desires breed intense strife, selfish prayers prompt divine silence. Believers should ask God for their hearts’ desires, ready for Him to purify those desires. But we should not expect God to grant the requests of anyone who is not seeking His glory and His purposes (v 1-3). So James calls us to turn from our worldly ways. The Lord desires an intimate relationship with His people, having given us His Spirit. But we can’t flirt with the world and be faithful to Him! In this context, the “world” means not the people or the planet, but the world as an evil system lying under the power of Satan—a world whose values and ideas are contrary to God’s, and under His judgment. If our goal is to be accepted by a world that has rejected God, then we will become the objects of His hostility, not His affection (v 4-5). Thankfully, God is not seeking a divorce from His wayward bride. Instead, He is wooing us back, pursuing us and claiming us as His own! What a comfort to know that God is always willing to extend grace if we are willing to humbly repent. It’s easy to deny our sin, or defend it, or downplay it. But do we weep and mourn over it? Christ is a never-failing fountain of grace for all who turn from sin and Satan, offering themselves in glad submission to Him (v 6-10). Expanding on this theme of humility, James asks two blunt and deflating questions: “who are you?” and “what is your life?” Those who slander and condemn others are usurping God’s authority. Since He alone is the Supreme Lawgiver and judge, “who are you to judge your neighbor?” (v 11-12). And to presume upon the success of your plans is to think that the future is in your own hands. But “what is your life,” except a mist that will soon vanish? There is nothing wrong with planning or with profit, but it is the Lord who knows and determines the future. We don’t even know if we will be alive tomorrow! We boast if we do not acknowledge the Lord’s will (v 13-17). For further meditation: