Drawing Near to God

 The Grace of Humility

Submitting to God’s Will

Trusting God’s Plan for Our Lives

(James 4:6-17)

In James 4:6-17, we are reminded of two powerful truths: God’s grace is given to the humble, and our lives are fleeting. James speaks to the tension between pride and humility, warning us against the arrogance of thinking we can live apart from God’s will. He encourages us to draw near to God, to submit ourselves entirely to His authority, and to resist the temptations of the world. Through this passage, we find a deeper call to humility, surrender, and trust in God’s sovereign plan for our lives.

God’s Grace for the Humble

James begins with a powerful statement: “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” (James 4:6, ESV). This verse sets the foundation for understanding our need to submit to God. Pride blocks our access to God’s grace because it focuses on self-reliance and self-exaltation. In contrast, humility opens the door to God’s abundant grace, enabling us to live in dependence on Him.

Charles Spurgeon captures this truth beautifully: “The way to rise in the kingdom is to sink in ourselves. As we go lower in our estimation of self, we rise in God’s estimation of us.” Spurgeon reminds us that true greatness in God’s eyes is found not in lifting ourselves up, but in humbling ourselves before Him. When we acknowledge our need for God and relinquish our attempts to control our lives, we position ourselves to receive His grace.

Submit to God, Resist the Devil

James 4:7 offers us both a challenge and a promise: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Submission to God is an act of trust, acknowledging that His plans are better than our own. It is not about passive resignation but active surrender—choosing to align our desires and actions with His will. Eugene Peterson explains, “Submission is the deliberate act of setting aside our preferences in favor of God’s purposes.” In submitting to God, we place His will above our own, trusting that His ways lead to life, peace, and true fulfillment.

The call to resist the devil is equally important. When we humble ourselves before God, we must also stand firm against the forces of temptation and pride. Alexander Maclaren offers this insight: “The only way to resist the devil is to be strong in God. Submission to God is the essence of resistance to evil.” Maclaren emphasizes that our strength to resist temptation and sin comes from our relationship with God. When we draw near to Him, we are empowered to stand against the devil’s schemes.

Drawing Near to God

James gives a clear invitation in James 4:8 “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” This invitation to intimacy with God reveals His deep desire to be close to us. It is not God who pulls away from us; it is we who often stray. Matthew Henry writes, “If there be not a close communion between God and our souls, it is our own fault.” Henry’s words challenge us to take responsibility for our spiritual distance from God. If we are not experiencing the nearness of God, we must examine whether we have allowed pride, distractions, or sin to come between us and our Creator.

God’s response to our drawing near is always grace. He does not reject those who humbly seek Him; instead, He welcomes them with open arms. William Barclay adds, “When a man draws near to God, it is not God who moves, but man who returns to his true place.” Barclay’s insight reminds us that drawing near to God is a return to where we were always meant to be—in close fellowship with Him.

The Fleeting Nature of Life

James shifts the focus in James 4:13-15, warning us against the arrogance of making plans without acknowledging God’s sovereignty: “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring” (James 4:13-14, ESV). This reminder of the brevity of life should humble us and cause us to trust more fully in God’s control over our future.

We often live as if we have full control over our lives, making plans with certainty and confidence, forgetting that life is fragile and fleeting. James reminds us that we “are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (James 4:14, ESV). This truth should lead us to a posture of humility, acknowledging that only God knows the future.

Eugene Peterson captures this tension well when he says, “We are not in control of our own lives, and pretending we are is the height of pride. Wisdom teaches us to make plans with humility, acknowledging that our lives are in God’s hands.” Our human tendency is to plan for the future as though we hold the reins, but true wisdom teaches us to submit those plans to God. We do not know what tomorrow will bring, but we can trust the One who holds tomorrow.

In James 4:10, we are urged to “humble [ourselves] before the Lord, and He will exalt [us].” This is the essence of living in God’s wisdom: surrendering our pride, acknowledging our limitations, and trusting in God’s good and perfect will. It is not wrong to plan, but it is wrong to plan as though God does not have ultimate control over our lives. When we humble ourselves, recognizing our dependence on Him, He promises to lift us up in due time.

James’ message is clear: pride blinds us to our need for God, while humility opens the door to His grace. As we live our lives with an awareness of their fleeting nature, we are reminded to humbly submit our plans, ambitions, and dreams to the One who sees all and knows all.

Living in the Light of God’s Will

James concludes this section with a sobering thought: “Whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” (James 4:17, ESV). This verse underscores the importance of not only avoiding sin but actively doing good. Our lives are not our own, and when we live with the awareness of God’s will, we are responsible for aligning our actions with that will.

Matthew Henry comments on this verse, “Sins of omission are as real and grievous as sins of commission. To know what is right and not to do it is a sin against both God and conscience.” It is easy to think of sin only in terms of what we do wrong, but James reminds us that neglecting to do what is right is equally sinful. Living in the light of God’s will means not only avoiding evil but pursuing righteousness, mercy, and justice in all areas of our lives.

Conclusion

James 4:6-17 offers a powerful call to humility, submission, and trust in God’s will. The world often encourages pride, self-reliance, and the illusion of control, but God’s Word calls us to something deeper and truer. Charles Spurgeon’s words ring out clearly: “The way to rise in the kingdom is to sink in ourselves.” As we humble ourselves before God, submit to His will, and draw near to Him, we experience the abundant grace He promises to give.

William Barclay speaks to this truth: “Man’s plans must always be at the mercy of God’s purposes, for man cannot see beyond the present moment.” Barclay’s reflection encourages us to hold our plans loosely, always seeking God’s guidance and direction. True humility is found in submitting to God’s sovereignty, trusting that His plans are better than our own.

May we live each day with the awareness that our lives are not our own, that we are wholly dependent on God’s grace and sovereignty. In our planning, our actions, and our thoughts, let us seek to align ourselves with the will of our loving Father, who gives grace to the humble and draws near to those who seek Him.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your grace that is poured out on the humble. Teach us to surrender our pride and submit fully to Your will. Help us to draw near to You, trusting in Your wisdom and plans for our lives. Guide our steps, and remind us daily that our lives are in Your hands. May we walk in humility, resist temptation, and live each day in obedience to Your Word. We ask for Your strength to do what is right and Your mercy to sustain us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Heavenly Wisdom vs. Earthly Ambition

How Godly Wisdom Brings Peace

God at the Center

(James 3:13-18; 4:1-5)

A Call to Surrender

The Fruits of Wisdom

Peace, Purity, and Gentleness

Living Humbly in the Light of God’s Grace

James, in his letter to the early church, contrasts two types of wisdom: one that is earthly, unspiritual, and marked by bitter envy and selfish ambition, and another that is from above, characterized by purity, peace, gentleness, and mercy. As we delve into James 3:13-18 and 4:1-5, we find that the pursuit of wisdom requires more than intellect; it demands a life lived in humble surrender to God’s ways. The world teaches us to seek our own gain, to win at all costs, and to protect our own interests, but God’s wisdom calls us to a different path—one of peace, gentleness, and surrender.

The Two Kinds of Wisdom

James begins by asking, “Who is wise and understanding among you?” (James 3:13, ESV). True wisdom is not proven by knowledge or rhetoric but by the fruit it bears. William Barclay reflects on this passage by stating, “True wisdom is not mere head knowledge; it is a matter of the heart and the life.” Barclay reminds us that the person who is truly wise does not boast of their wisdom or use it for personal gain but shows it in their actions, specifically in how they treat others.

James contrasts two sources of wisdom: earthly and heavenly. Earthly wisdom, driven by selfish ambition and envy, leads to disorder and “every vile practice” (James 3:16, ESV). This kind of wisdom seeks to elevate oneself, often at the expense of others. In contrast, wisdom from above is marked by peace, gentleness, and mercy. Matthew Henry notes, “Meekness of spirit is a grace that adorns the soul, and it is the great evidence of true wisdom.” Henry’s insight shows that true wisdom is not found in dominance or aggression but in a meek and humble spirit that seeks peace.

The Source of Conflict

James 4:1 opens with a probing question: “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you?” His answer is blunt: these conflicts come from the passions at war within us. Our desires, unchecked and self-serving, lead to strife. Eugene Peterson sheds light on this when he writes, “The problem is not that we want too much, but that we are asking for the wrong things.” We often pursue what we think will bring us fulfillment, but these pursuits only lead to frustration, envy, and division.

In James 4:2-3, we see that much of our striving comes from a misplaced focus: we desire things to satisfy our own cravings rather than seeking to align our desires with God’s will. Peterson’s point reinforces James’ teaching: our prayers and pursuits are not answered because they are rooted in selfishness. Instead of seeking God’s kingdom and His righteousness, we are often driven by the pursuit of our own ambitions.

The Call to Humility

As James reveals the heart of the issue—our passions and selfish desires—he calls us to humble ourselves before God. Charles Spurgeon explains, “As long as we are proud, we cannot receive the grace of God. Humility is the posture that allows God’s grace to flow into our hearts.” Spurgeon reminds us that the wisdom from above is a gift of grace, and we must be in the right posture—humble and surrendered—to receive it.

Humility is not simply thinking less of ourselves but thinking rightly about ourselves in light of who God is. James 4:5 speaks to this as he warns against friendship with the world, which sets us up as enemies of God. Alexander Maclaren adds, “Worldliness puts self at the center and God at the circumference, but true wisdom puts God at the center and self at the circumference.” Maclaren’s words capture the heart of James’ teaching: true wisdom and peace come when we put God at the center of our lives and surrender our selfish desires.

Wisdom that Leads to Peace

The wisdom from above produces peace, both within our own hearts and in our relationships with others. James 3:18 tells us, “A harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” This heavenly wisdom stands in stark contrast to the disorder and conflict caused by selfish ambition. Instead of striving and quarreling, the wise person seeks to live in harmony with others, to build bridges rather than walls.

Eugene Peterson notes, “God’s wisdom is relational—it is always lived out in community.” The fruits of wisdom—purity, peace, gentleness, and mercy—are not abstract virtues; they are lived out in how we interact with others. This is why James repeatedly emphasizes the connection between our desires, our wisdom, and our relationships. When we live according to earthly wisdom, driven by selfish desires, it inevitably leads to conflict. But when we live according to heavenly wisdom, seeking peace and mercy, we reflect the heart of God in our communities.

Living in the Light of God’s Wisdom

As we reflect on the teachings of James 3:13-18 and 4:1-5, we are called to examine our own lives. 

Do we operate from a wisdom that seeks our own advantage, or do we humbly submit to the wisdom from above? 

William Barclay challenges us to consider the fruit of our lives: “Wisdom shows itself in how we live, in what we pursue, and in how we treat others.” If we are living according to God’s wisdom, we will be marked by humility, peace, and gentleness.

In this age of division and conflict, the call to pursue peace and gentleness is more urgent than ever. It shatters the expectations of a world that prizes dominance and self-promotion. The wisdom from above is not loud or boastful, but gentle and full of mercy, seeking the good of others over self.

Conclusion

James’ call to pursue heavenly wisdom reminds us that the path to peace is found in humility and surrender. Earthly wisdom leads to strife, while heavenly wisdom leads to peace, gentleness, and mercy. As we seek to live out these truths, may we remember the words of Spurgeon: “Humility is the key to receiving the grace of God.” When we put God at the center of our lives, surrendering our selfish desires, we begin to live in the light of His wisdom—a wisdom that brings peace to our hearts and to our world.

Key Verses:

James 3:17 (ESV): “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”

James 4:1-2 (ESV): “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel.”

The Power of Words

 Taming the Tongue

Surrendering Our Speech to God’s Control

Blessing or Curse

The Tongue’s Power

How God Transforms Our Speech

Speech that Reflects Christ

Breaking Free from Human Expectations”

The Power of Humility in Our Speech

(James 3:1-12)

The power of words is an enduring theme throughout Scripture, and in James 3:1-12, we are reminded just how much influence our tongues have over our lives and the lives of others. James emphasizes how such a small part of the body—the tongue—can set the course of one’s life on fire. Our expectations about the weight of our words often fall short, yet Scripture calls us to a higher awareness and humility in how we speak.

James’ challenge to control the tongue shatters many of our expectations about speech. We may assume that words are fleeting, easily forgotten, or merely tools for self-expression. Yet James says, “The tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness” (James 3:6, ESV). The truth is, what we say has lasting spiritual consequences. Our words can build up or tear down, bless or curse, inspire or wound.

Humility and the Weight of Our Words

William Barclay insightfully writes, “We cannot live a Christian life unless we can control our tongues. No man can tame the tongue, only God can.” Barclay points us toward the humility required to submit our speech to God’s control. Too often, we underestimate how easily our words can cause harm. We assume that a careless comment will dissipate, or that a minor insult can be shrugged off. However, as James explains, the tongue, like a bit in a horse’s mouth or a rudder on a ship, directs the course of our lives, often with unforeseen consequences.

The Heart Behind the Words

Matthew Henry highlights the heart from which our words flow: “The apostle here compares the tongue to a fountain, which sends forth streams of water, either sweet or bitter, according to the nature of the spring. So the words of our mouth will be gracious or corrupt, according as the principles of grace or corruption prevail in our hearts.”

Henry’s words remind us that our speech is not merely a surface issue; it is a reflection of the heart. Our expectations might allow us to think we can simply watch our words without addressing the condition of our hearts, but James and Henry both stress that the root problem lies deeper. If bitterness, envy, or pride rule within us, our words will reflect it. But when humility, love, and grace fill our hearts, the change in our speech will naturally follow.

God’s Shattered Expectations

Eugene Peterson sheds further light on the expectations that need to be broken in order for transformation to occur:

 “Spiritual formation requires taking our eyes off ourselves and placing them fully on God, who never conforms to our narrow, human expectations.” 

If we expect to be able to tame the tongue through mere willpower, we are destined for failure. It is only by placing ourselves fully under God’s guidance and receiving His wisdom that we can begin to speak as He desires.

Our society often tells us that speaking our minds is a sign of strength, and that being quick with words shows intelligence. But in God’s economy, silence, humility, and carefully chosen words demonstrate true strength. Jesus Himself exemplified this when He remained silent before His accusers (Matthew 27:12-14). His silence shattered the expectations of those who thought He would defend Himself with eloquent speech. Instead, He submitted to the will of the Father and allowed His actions to speak louder than any words could.

The Depth of Surrender

Charles Spurgeon eloquently writes, “To tame the tongue is to conquer ourselves. It is an achievement beyond human strength, yet essential to Christian virtue.” Spurgeon captures the impossibility of the task without God’s grace. It is not enough to simply try harder; we must surrender deeper. We must yield our pride, our need to have the last word, and our desire to appear right in every conversation.

Similarly, Alexander Maclaren adds: 

“The mastery of the tongue is one of the last and hardest conquests in the warfare of Christian life.” 

It is a battle that takes time, humility, and patience. If we expect instant victory in this area, we set ourselves up for disappointment. But if we approach it as a lifelong journey of growing in grace, we can trust that God will work in us to refine our speech.

The Paradox of God’s Power in Our Weakness

What’s most surprising is how God uses our surrender and weakness to achieve His purposes. As James points out, no one can truly tame the tongue—but in that very admission of weakness, God’s strength is made perfect. We expect to overcome through our own power, but it is God’s power working through us that brings lasting change.

James’ teaching about the tongue invites us to lay down our expectations, especially those we have about how easily we can control our words. The truth is, we need divine help at every turn. And when we yield to God, He not only helps us tame our tongues but uses them to bring life, grace, and blessing to others.

May we seek to be transformed by the Spirit so that our words reflect not our own desires, but the heart of God. As James urges, let us bless and not curse, knowing that every word matters.

Conclusion

James 3:1-12 challenges us to think differently about our words and speech. While we might have certain expectations about how much (or how little) our words matter, Scripture reveals the profound impact our speech can have. As we seek to grow in Christlikeness, we must recognize the power of our tongues and our deep need for God’s help in using them wisely. Through these insights we are reminded of the importance of surrendering to God’s work in our hearts, knowing that our words will follow.

In the end, it is through this deep surrender that we truly shatter expectations—ours, and the world’s—by speaking words that bring life and reflect the character of Christ.

Key Verses:

James 3:10 (ESV): “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.”

Matthew 27:12-14 (ESV): “But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer.”