James says there’s a war going on inside of us. James 4:1, "What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don’t they come from the cravings that are at war within you?" We are fighting for selfish ambitions and craving carnal pleasures. 1 John 2:16, “For everything that belongs to the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one’s lifestyle—is not from the Father, but is from the world.” We’re living to be somebody -to have the best the world can give us and to content ourselves in fleshly pursuits…even pursuing spiritual things, like holiness or power to preach, for carnal reasons like self-righteousness, fame, and self sufficiency. We don’t want God’s glory: We want our own!

Secondly, you don’t ask for what He freely gives. James 4:2, "You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. You do not have because you do not ask." He’d give us joy, peace, and pleasure serving Him. He’d give us every good thing for His glory, but not our own. Therefore, we fight for position and covet, but we don’t get what we want! We’re unsatisfied. Instead of asking for sweet submission, we pursue our lusts, and murmur, “I’ll never be happy until I get this,” which is an affront to God!

Ah, you ask for spiritual things and don’t get them? It’s because you ask the wrong way. James 4:3, "You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your evil desires." Pride is motivating our prayer. Let self be dealt with first. Ask for humility, not so that others will look at you, but so that you’ll sincerely serve. Ask for boldness, not to be impressive, but to declare the worthy gospel. Ask for love, not so that you’d be the center, but so that others would see the love of Christ.

Are you after temporal things? Ask for them with thanksgiving and contentment. Philippians 4:6-7, "Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Ask like Hannah, so that you may give it totally to Christ [1 Sam 1:11]!

Thirdly, we’re enemies of God, if we’re friends of the world. James 4:4, “Adulteresses! Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So whoever wants to be the world’s friend becomes God’s enemy.” If we live the worldly way with sinful lusts as our motives, then we fight God, and He won’t yield. He won’t push Christ from the throne to exalt us. He won’t send the Spirit to glorify us. He won’t be pushed into a corner, nor will He back down. He won’t give in to spoiled children!

We don’t want to be the enemy of God, going wrongly and asking Him to bless us. Yield. Ask Him to turn you His way!

Fourthly, ah, we have the remedy! He gives more grace! James 4:6, “But He gives greater grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’” God is gracious. Therefore, humble yourself, and CONFESS YOUR SIN. Do not be afraid to admit that you are wrong. Show Him the hidden room of your tattered heart that’s filled with filthiness. He already knows: He sees it.

We’re only hurting ourselves by hiding our sins, or thinking that we can conquer them! Grace is the key. God will reign down His Spirit. He’ll deliver us freely!

Fifthly, resist Satan. James 4:7, “Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.” The Devil tells you that you’re good enough, and you can change, “Just try a little harder.” He tells you God sees, but He doesn’t care, “After all, we’re all sinners.” He tells us that God won’t forgive. “You’ve gone too far,” he says, “so you should keep away from God. He’s disappointed. You’ve ruined your life and wasted your years.” He is wrong, however! God is gracious for the GLORY of His name! It is the exact greatness of His character to redeem the sinner -to save us and use us… to recover us and show what He can do with failures… it's the utter beauty of God!