The Book of James – Pleasure Seekers James 4:1-2

Introduction

In chapter 3 James described the weapon we all carry, the tongue.  As we enter chapter 4 James turns his attention to the device that fires that weapon, our mind.

Pleasure Seekers

James starts with a question… where does all the fighting and bickering come from?  Envy and strife come from the evil passions we allow inside the mind.  James uses the plural form of the word lust to describe those passions.  When we hear the word “lust” we usually reserve that for only one type of thought.  Lust, as James uses it, is the pursuit of self-serving pleasure.  You can lust after a shiny new sports car thinking it will give you pleasure.  You can lust after a house, a new wardrobe or even a new look.  Lusting after things has one common trait, to give pleasure to self at any expense.  It’s “all about me”.  When we have an “all about me” mindset then envy, strife and hard feelings are not far behind.

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The Book of James – The Tongue Part II James 3:8-18

Introduction

Chapter 3 has only one theme, guard what you say.  We will be picking up in verse 8 and finish out the chapter.

I Just Can’t Help It

James goes right to the heart of the matter calling the tongue an unruly evil and deadly poison.

As we get to verse 8 we need to ponder what James is saying; he says that we cannot tame the tongue.  Let’s stop and let that soak in.  Does that mean we can say whatever we want and have an excuse?  Let’s step into our next segment and see.