Accept or Resist

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Accept or Resist

James Chapter 4 vss. 4-9

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? 6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

One might compare worldly and fleshly lusts to distemper or parvo in dogs. Our lusts will not allow us to ever experience contentment or relaxation. Sinful desires and affections diminishes the desire to pray. The working of our desires toward God are overshadowed. And let us beware that we do not abuse or misuse the mercies God bestows, by because our heart is lust centered. Self centered and selfish prayers submitted to God for personal prosperity are ask amiss. They are always spurned by inappropriate aims and intentions. If we thus seek the things of this world, we cannot expect a just God to do other than deny them. We may be sure that when prayers are language focused on of lusts rather than than of graces, they will return empty.
James also gives a stern warning to Christians to avoid all criminal friendships with this world. A world centered and lust based mindedness is enmity to God. All are enemies at times. All once walked the path to destruction. God forgives our opposing relationship with Him if a proper apology and pleading is offered. “Enmity" however can be reconciled only by a turning away (completely) from a heart not God focused. A man who has a large portion in things of this life, desires of the flesh, can be kept in the love of God if he puts God first above all things of the world. But he who sets his heart upon the world, who will conform to IT rather than lose its friendship, is at enmity with God. So anyone who chooses to be upon friendly terms with the world, will by nature be the enemy.
Did then the Jews, or the loose professors of Christianity, think the Scripture spake in vain against this world and its pleasurable treasures? Does the Holy Spirit, who dwells in all Christians, ride beside misguided souls that produce such evil fruit? Natural corruption shows itself by envying. The spirit of the world teaches us to lay up, or lay out for ourselves, according to our own fancies; God, the Holy Spirit, teaches us to be willing to do good to all about us. The grace of God will correct and cure the sin sick spirit of evil that Satan invested in us. He gives grace, he gives another spirit than that of the world. Too often the proud reject God offer of His Grace because in their understanding they resist the truths of God; Therefore, it is no wonder that God resists the proud. How wretched the state of those who make God their enemy! God will give more grace to the humble, because they understand their need of it They pray for it and are thankful for it. This sort will obtain it.
Submit your soul to the truth of God. Submit your will to His will. Humble yourselves before God, for he is ready to do you good. If we yield to temptations, the devil will continually nag at us. But if we put on the whole armor of God (II John Ch.6), and take a stand against him, he will part from us for a season. His temptations are always near and ready to present themselves before us. Let sinners then submit to God, and seek his grace and favor; resisting the devil. All sin must be wept over; here, in godly sorrow, or, hereafter, in eternal misery. And the Lord will not refuse to comfort one who really mourns for their soul sin, or to exalt one who humbles himself before him. Amen. Know God, know Peace. 11_11-2019 BLL

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