Scripture: James 4:1-12
Faith exposes worldly passions
“What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?” (v1)
“the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ . . Not many days later the younger son gathered all that he had and he took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living” (Luke 15:11-13)
Faith severs worldly partnerships
“You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? (v4)
“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father. . .” (Luke 15:14-17)
Faith submits to God’s plan
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” (v7-8)
“And he arose and came to his father. But while he was sill a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:18-24)
Faith shares God’s perspective
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” (v7-8)
“Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law.” (v11)
“But the (older son) was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him” (Luke 15:25-32)
PRAY – FLEE – SUBMIT – SEE