As we began chapter 4 of James yesterday, he took us deeper in our self-evaluation to the motives behind our words and actions - that often we are driven deep down by jealousy and selfishness, so that we not only ignore God and His will, we actually live in opposition to Him. We continue today in verse:
5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
What is God passionate about? What really matters to Him? He tells us in His Word, and He doesn't like wasting His Word; He did not give it to us to ignore. God has placed His Holy Spirit into each and every follower of Christ, and He doesn't want Him living in such sinful selfishness and arrogance. God has a different kind of jealousy - the same word often being translated "zealous". God has a passion for us to live trusting in His grace by humbly stepping aside, knowing God has a better plan and a better way for us than we do. He knows what is best for us, and if we are truly His children through Christ, we will stop struggling so much to get what we want - what others have that we think we need - and trust in His plan. When we don't, we drive the Holy Spirit crazy; He has to live in our impure thoughts and motives. Let's make our hearts and minds a great place for Him to live.
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