In our society, we are so accustomed to wars that we don’t give them the attention they really need. We have become desensitized to the pain and suffering that war really causes. We only seem to be concerned when it touches our lives. War is a horrible thing and it always destroys people. The wars James is talking about are within the body of Christ, and many are within ourselves and they are self-inflicted. The real problem is the latter. If internal wars were dealt with speedily, it would eliminate a lot of external wars.
There are many kinds of wars we face in our Christian walk. James 4:1-12 talks about a war with each other, with ourselves, and even a war with God. Each one is a progression in our war against who God created us to be.
James 4:1-2 “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.”
Wars or fighting among Christians should not be, however, they seem to be as prevalent as any other group. What a horrible testimony to those that are lost! Christians should live together in love and harmony, but often they do not. James gives us several kinds of disagreements that can occur among Christians.
- In James 2:1-9 we see the rivalry between the rich and the poor. That is still typical today. The “haves” put down the “have nots”, and the “have nots” despise the “haves” because they have what they want. The bottom line is selfishness, pride, and greed.
- In James 5:1-6 we have employment wars. These are struggles between employers and employees. Again, the base here is greed. Employers want more for their money and employees want more money for their work. No one is satisfied in many workplaces.
- James 1:19-20 and 3:13-18 deal with church fights! Here we have people at “war” over positions of leadership and teaching. In today’s church, there are “clicks,” and many have never learned to have a submissive spirit. They have allowed our culture to filter into the church, and everyone feels entitled to have their say.
- In James 4:11-12 we have personal wars. These are one on one wars. Church members speak evil of one another and judge one another. A good rule to remember is this: “If the truth about a brother is harmful, we should cover it in love and not repeat it. I Peter 4:8 “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” Charity or love does not sweep them under the rug, but it does cause us to take the problem to God, not others.
The wars I just mentioned should never happen. If we are truly right with God, we will seek what is best for others and for the body. We are all in the same family, trusting the same Savior. We should be seeking the same things, in the same way, to build the body and glorify our Lord. As we delve into the next section, we will see James explain these conflicts.
Some good verses to remember and meditate on to help with conflict with others are in Philippians.
Philippians 2:3-4 “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”
