Lesson
51,
4:2 The Consequences for self-centeredness
You lust and do not have; so you commit murder
- For the unbeliever
the reality of sin nature rulership is perpetual and is kept in line or
restrained several ways.
- But for the Believer,
there is a clear choice being made all the time either to live under the sin
nature's rulership or the rulership of the Holy Spirit coupled with obedience
to the Royal law - the implanted Word of God.
What about
restraining the lust patterns of the sin nature?
1. For
the unbeliever or the believer under the sin nature's rulership. Those in society at large.
a. By law and strong consistent
enforcement - the fear of the consequences of being caught and prosecuted.
b. Disapproval - the
establishment influence of society
c. Inability which results from some
lack of capability.
2. For the Believer
some there are some additional aids in the restraint of the sin nature.
a. The unique
ministry of the Holy Spirit who indwells all believers.
b. This ministry of
the Holy Spirit coupled with a foundation in the Word provides the capacity for
the believer to deal with the CHP's of life as well
as the pressures from the lust patterns of the sin nature.
c. If we take God and His word seriously, establish our relationship with Him as the priority in our life, that is being occupied with Christ (Heb
The First Consequence
so you
commit murder
- This word for
murder here is very startling and it was meant to be.
James like Jesus and John is using
this extreme illustration to wake them up to the consequences of their thinking
which leads to destructive overt actions.
And you are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel
are envious
- indicates
the violation of the 10th commandment of the decalogue do not covet - refers
here to the hot & intense desire (consuming) for something, self-gratification, money - car - job promotion - social life -
health
*** Failure and frustration are
characteristics of the self-centered life.
so you fight and
quarrel -
returns to where he started in vs:1 to indicate the lifestyle under the
sin nature being manifest in this assembly
You do not have because you do not ask (aivte,w - to ask for one's self)
- indicates here a
failure to ask for the specifics needed in your prayer life - or a lack of a
prayer life itself
- They are not turning to God as the
giver of every good and perfect gift (
Summary of 4:2
1. We must guard against falling for the cosmic
worldview and prosperity system.
Without the capacity for life that
one gains from having God's VPT as the basis of their thinking under the ministry of G/HS the DOL's will never
bring the enjoyment or happiness that you think they will.