The World of AppetitesJames 4:1-10

James’ Complaint 4:1-10What is causing the quarrels and fights among you?Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within

you? You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.

James’ Complaint 4:1-10You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with

the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.

What do you think the Scriptures mean when they say that the spirit God has placed within us is filled with envy?

James’ Complaint 4:1-10

But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but favors the humble.” So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.

Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

Spiritual Adultery The most hurtful pain in a marriage. Betrayal, deceit, broken trust, treasonous… Far-reaching effects… The most dangerous spiritual disease.

› Completely unaware of its poisonous effects.

“World” = Kosmos (Kosmos) Used over 160

times in the NT

A major teaching

“Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God?”

“Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God?”

“World” = Kosmos (Kosmos)

Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses”• 1Pet.3:3

Kosmos Cosmetic in

appearance

“Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God?”

“World” = Kosmos (Kosmos)…the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

• 1 John 5:19

…the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive…

• John 14:17

the world through its wisdom did not come to know God…

• 1 Corinthians 1:21

A system that shuts out God

“Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God?”

“World” = Kosmos (Kosmos) A system of hatred

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10

"If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. John 15:18Do not be

surprised, brethren, if the world hates you. 1 John 3:13

Top 10 hot spots

“Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God?”

“Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God?”

“World” = Kosmos (Kosmos)External / skin-deep

• For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 1 John 2:16

Temporary

• The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:17

A system of values

Opposed to God

• Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15

“Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God?”

“World” = Kosmos (Kosmos) A system of values Lust of the Flesh

• Sensuality• Comfort• Hedonism

Lust of the Eye

• Collecting objects (people)• Beauty Culture• Acquisition Craze

Boastful Pride of Life

• Making Myself GREAT• Smugness / self-sufficiency• MONEY: shows my greatness

Temporal Values

Guaranteedwon’t last

Why can’t I just play

around with these cool

things?

“Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God?”

“World” = Kosmos (Kosmos) Owned by the god

of this Kosmos…The Purpose?

• To distract• Seduce

You formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air… Ephesians 2:2

“Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.” John 12:31

We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. John 5:19

The Power of Seduction

What is the purpose of your life?

Why not accept the free gift of God?

Why not go on with the Lord and become all he wants you to

be?

The Power of SeductionTast

e

“I like it”

BURN: Callou

s

“More, please

”

Self-deceived truisms

• “You can’t take it with you…”• “Love is all you need…”• “Beauty is only skin-deep”• “Money can’t buy happiness…”

Self-Deceive

d

What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. James 4:1-2

The Power of Seduction1. The things of God lose their fizz2. Spiritual events become a burden3. We believe following God is too restricting4. We look for like-minded people5. Our though life is obsessed with the

temporal…6. Anxiety over money & temporal goals

The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. Matthew 13:22 (NLT

The Power of Seduction1. The things of God lose their fizz2. Spiritual events become a burden3. We believe following God is too restricting4. We look for like-minded people5. Our though life is obsessed with the

temporal…6. Anxiety over money & temporal goals7. Deceived by Kosmos mythology8. Lack of fruitfulness

Solution “He gives a greater grace”

› You’re not stuck!› God’s arms are always open!

Solution “He gives a greater grace” “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the

humble…”› “I don’t see any problem here!”› Means God can’t help!

Solution “He gives a greater grace” “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the

humble…” Resist the devil, and he will flee from you

Solution “He gives a greater grace” “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the

humble…” Resist the devil, and he will flee from you Come near to God and he will come near to

you.

Solution “He gives a greater grace” “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the

humble…” Resist the devil, and he will flee from you Come near to God and he will come near to

you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your

hearts, you double-minded“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:24

Solution “He gives a greater grace” “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the

humble…” Resist the devil, and he will flee from you Come near to God and he will come near to

you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your

hearts, you double-minded Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will

lift you up

Solution “He gives a greater grace” “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the

humble…” Resist the devil, and he will flee from you Come near to God and he will come near to

you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your

hearts, you double-minded Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will

lift you up

“World” = Kosmos (Kosmos) Cosmetic in

appearance Used over 160

times in the NT

External

Temporary

Owned by Satan