Monthly Archives: July 2024

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Apologetics, ,

Although the Bible provides instruction and guidance for our lives as God’s children, it is not a textbook for every situation and subject of modern life. However, it does provide principles to follow if we are sincere in our efforts to walk in the truth.

Sometimes, we must dig deep into the Word to find these principles with the help of the Holy Spirit.

A question that pops up frequently in preaching and discussion is the issue of cremation. We must look for answers, not only in what the Bible does not say but, even more important, what it does say.

In my search for the truth, I have yet to read or hear any Bible scholar present what the Bible does say about the burning of bodies.

This way of dealing with the issues that affect us now, i.e., what the Bible does or does not say, is one of the differences between Roman Catholic and non-Roman Catholic teaching and way of interpreting Scripture. In my understanding, these different ways of interpreting Scripture remove or set boundaries around our behaviour as believers. According to this principle, we are free to do anything that the Bible does not specifically address (in Roman Catholic theology) or we do only those things which God’s Word instructs us to do ( in non-RC teaching). We look for the principles in keeping with God’s nature where there is no specific instruction.

Let’s look, for example, at what the Bible says about the popular practice of cremation. Most Bible expositors inadvertently take the Roman Catholic route. Since the Bible does not explicitly forbid cremation, they condone or approve the practice. Accordingly, it is up to the individual to decide on the method of burial.

Although the Bible does not devote a chapter to teaching on cremation, there are principles from which we can glean God’s intention.

The first principle leads us to look at the symbolism Paul uses for human death and burial. He likens our bodies to seed. Few seeds germinate in the fire. Those that do are not destroyed in the fire but released to grow.

Our bodies are like seeds that are sown in the ground when they die. Like the seed that germinates and grows into a new plant, unlike but of the seed that was sown, our bodies will rise again from mortality to immortality, perfect, unlike but of the body that was sown, like the resurrection body of Jesus.

It seems, then, that there are, according to practice, three possible places to be buried – soil, water, or fire, depending on the circumstances. The Bible’s best place is in the earth because it best fits the picture of the seed.

1 Corinthians 15:35-38 NLT
[35] “But someone may ask, “How will the dead be raised? What kind of bodies will they have?” [36] What a foolish question! When you put a seed into the ground, it doesn’t grow into a plant unless it dies first. [37] And what you put in the ground is not the plant that will grow, but only a bare seed of wheat or whatever you are planting. [38] Then God gives it the new body he wants it to have. A different plant grows from each kind of seed.”

1 Corinthians 15:42-44 NLT
[42] “It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. [43] Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. [44] They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies.”

The second principle is equally significant.

In the Bible, cremation was reserved for criminals. The Valley of Hinnom, outside Jerusalem, was the city’s garbage dump, burning constantly, like the fires of hell. Criminals were cremated in the rubbish dump of Hinnom, from which the body of Jesus was saved by the intervention of Joseph of Aramathea.

What does God’s word say about the burning of a body?

In Amos 2:1, God judged Moab for burning the body of the king of Edom. Although some translations imply or add the thought of desecration, dishonouring the body, the Hebrew word simply means ‘to burn’.

It seems, then, that the acceptable way to dispose of a dead body was to commit it to the earth. God said to Adam after he sinned,

Genesis 3:19 NKJV
[19] “In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, ’til you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.”

Cremation has become the disposal of choice because it is cheaper than burial and occupies less space than a grave. However, is this God’s prescribed way, regardless of our considerations?

True, the Bible does not forbid cremation, nor does it say how God will raise the bodies of those who were buried in fire or water. He does say, in Revelation 20:13, “The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead.” No mention of fire. However, it does tell us about His intention for the righteous dead, and what He prescribes for those who defy His holy instructions.

God’s instruction to Joshua when Achan stole goods dedicated to God after the fall of Jerico, is a case in point.

Joshua 7:15, 25 NLT
[15] “The one who has stolen what was set apart for destruction will himself be burned with fire, along with everything he has, for he has broken the covenant of the Lord and has done a horrible thing in Israel.”…
[25] Then Joshua said to Achan, “Why have you brought trouble on us? The Lord will now bring trouble on you.” And all the Israelites stoned Achan and his family and burned their bodies.”

Fire is the symbol and solemn reminder of the destiny of those who refuse to submit to God’s authority in all things.

Revelation 20:11-15 NLT
[11]”And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. [12] I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. [13] The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. [14] Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. [15] And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.”

We must make the choice and leave our instructions depending on our understanding of Scripture and our commitment to obey the Word.

THE ORCHID, MY TEACHER

Christian Life, ,

Orchids are unique tropical rainforest plants, growing in wild profusion on and under the protection of trees. They can adapt and grow, but very slowly, as proud house plants, given the correct environment, treatment, and care.

I know, because I have killed a few through my own ‘wisdom’ and mismanagement. When my umpteenth orchid looked like it was also on the way out, I decided to seek expert help from YouTube. After doing the right thing, to my amazement and joy, my only dying plant began to show signs of life again. Two new roots emerged from the rootless stem, new leaves grew and my orchid bloomed again.

Unfortunately, in the meantime, another birthday gift died which, in my ignorance I discarded, not knowing the resurrection power of this marvellous beauty.

My success at rejuvenating my last hope awakened in me a love for orchids and a desire to be an orchid ICU. From this experience, and the wisdom of experts, I now have five orchids, growing in water, their native environment, four with new flower spikes and one showing signs of new plant growth under its topmost leaf.

Cultivating orchids has taught me much about the Christian life. I have a friend who gave up on her orchids because they “grow too slowly”, she said. She likes plants that grow, bloom, and die in one season.

Like believers in Jesus, orchids must first develop a strong and vigorous root system. Their growing medium profoundly influences their production of roots. If they are planted in a medium too dense to aerate the roots, they will die. Too much water rots the roots, too little causes them to dehydrate and shrivel up, inhibiting them from taking in the moisture and nutrients that will sustain them and promote healthy leaf growth.

Believers also need a strong, healthy root system. We cannot expect baby believers to produce the fruit of maturity without roots. Rootless believers soon die. The toxic world around them neutralises their faith in God when trials and tests come. They need to be taught, fed, and nurtured to become established in their faith.

How and where do we grow our roots?

Like the orchid, we need spiritual air, moisture, and nutrients. We get these from the growing medium in which we are planted, God’s Word. This is not about our physical environment or circumstances, but rather about the air and environment in which our spirits can grow and flourish.

New ‘babies’ in Christ need to learn to live in the ‘atmosphere’ of the Holy Spirit. They need to know that He is in them, like a mother, providing everything they need for healthy growth. He is their ‘Paracletos’… their Helper, Guide, Teacher, and Counsellor.

They need to learn how to ‘walk’ by the Spirit…

‭Galatians 5:16a NLT‬
[16] “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives…”

… and be led by the Spirit…

‭Romans 8:14 NLT‬
[14] “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.”

…to avoid and overcome the spiritual diseases that threaten their lives.

Galarians 5:16b NLT
“…Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.”

Learning to live in the atmosphere of the Holy Spirit in the growth medium of the Word is a long, slow, ongoing, lifetime experience. Like the orchid, we need, constantly, to live in this ‘air of heaven’ to promote healthy growth.

Root growth needs a growing medium that is loose enough to aerate, yet strong enough to support the plant and of material that will hold moisture and nutrients without rotting the roots. Either pine bark or moss are the materials of choice. Growing them in water is a whole new ballgame.

Believers also need to grow their roots in the appropriate medium. What are our roots and where do they grow?

Matthew 4:4 NLT
[4] “But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”

We derive the nutrients that feed our spirits from the Word of God.

‭Colossians 2:6-7 NLT‬
[6] “And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. [7] Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”

Very simply, our roots are faith, and our growing medium is God’s love revealed in Jesus, and the process is growing trust so strong that nothing can shift the believer from confidence in God’s love.

‭John 15:9-10 NLT‬
[9] “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. [10] When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.”

‭John 15:5 NLT‬
[5] “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

‭Ephesians 3:16-17 NLT‬
[16″I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. [17] Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.”

He is our ‘bread from heaven’ and our ‘fountain of living water’. We will keep growing as we ‘eat and drink’ from His life on earth and His life in us as we feed on His Word.

‭John 6:33, 35 NLT‬
[33] “The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”..
[35] Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

‭John 7:37-38 NLT‬
[37]” On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! [38] Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’”

‭John 4:13-14 NLT‬
[13] “Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. [14] But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

With a strong, healthy root system, the orchid begins to grow the leaves that gather sunlight to mature the plant. The fully-developed orchid will eventually produce beautiful blooms that reveal its nature, a fragment of creation that brings glory to its Creator.

And so with every believer who faithfully follows the procedure that will glorify the Lord by producing the blooms and fruit which reveal the nature of who we are. Strong, healthy roots are the key to the cultivation of a mature, fruitful life in Christ Jesus.

AN IRRESISTIBLE BLOOD SACRIFICE

Bible Study,

Hebrews 10:19-22 NLT
[19] “And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. [20] By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. [21] And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, [22] let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.”

Blood sacrifice is the core of our relationship with God. Worship in God’s covenant with Israel was built on a variety of animal sacrifices for various situations. No one was permitted to approach God without blood. Every inanimate object used for worship rituals was set apart by the sprinkling of blood, even to the high priest, the priests and their garments, who served in the tabernacle and temple.

What was the significance of blood?

Scripture makes two profound pronouncements about blood.

Leviticus 17:11 NLT
[11]”…The life of the body is in its blood. I have given you the blood on the altar to purify you, making you right with the Lord. It is the blood, given in exchange for a life, that makes purification possible.”

Hebrews 9:22 NLT
[22] “In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.”

Shed blood is God’s remedy for sin.

1 John 1:7-9 NLT
[7] “But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. [8] If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. [9] But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”

The Israelites were forbidden to ingest blood in any form since
“the life is in the blood”.

Animal blood both symbolised and substituted for the only blood that can atone for sin. It pointed to a sacrifice that, from God’s perspective, was made before time began but effected in history by His Son at Passover.

The Israelites, influenced by their idolatrous neighbours and through their own idolatry, began to abuse the purpose of animal sacrifices. Rather than a reminder of God’s holiness and the cost of sin, they sacrificed countless animals as an excuse for sin.

Hosea 8:12-13 NLT
[12] “Even though I gave them all my laws, they act as if those laws don’t apply to them. [13] The people love to offer sacrifices to me, feasting on the meat, but I do not accept their sacrifices. I will hold my people accountable for their sins, and I will punish them. They will return to Egypt.”

Isaiah 1:11-15 NLT
[11] “What makes you think I want all your sacrifices?” says the Lord. “I am sick of your burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fattened cattle. I get no pleasure from the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. [12] When you come to worship me, who asked you to parade through my courts with all your ceremony? [13] Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts; the incense of your offerings disgusts me! As for your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath and your special days for fasting— they are all sinful and false. I want no more of your pious meetings. [14] I hate your new moon celebrations and your annual festivals. They are a burden to me. I cannot stand them! [15] When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will not look. Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen, for your hands are covered with the blood of innocent victims.”

Though the hearts of God’s people were rotten with sin, they hid behind their sacrifices as an excuse to keep sinning. They thought that their sacrifices guaranteed God’s forgiveness. Instead, all the animal blood they shed only multiplied their guilt.

Unfortunately, some believers also harbour the subtle idea that God’s forgiveness through the blood of Jesus covers a sinful lifestyle. They choose to sin, thinking that they can ask for forgiveness after they have sinned.

Nothing can be farther from the truth. The Bible clearly states God’s case.

1 John 3:4, 8, 10 NLT
[4] Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God…
[8] But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning from the beginning…
[10] So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.”

Continuing to practise sin as a way of life clearly indicates that the sinner has not understood God’s grace and that His grace has had no effect on them.

Romans 6:1-3 NLT
[1]”Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? [2] Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? [3] Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death?”

The blood of Jesus not only forgives and cleanses us from sin, it also gives us the motive and power for living new lives of righteousness and holiness. The Holy Spirit provides the power and the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus the motive.

Our union, by faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection, symbolised in our water baptism, has moved us from living under the influence of the sinful world system to the kingdom of God, to live under His authority and control.

Romans 6:4 NLT
[4] “For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.”

Colossians 1:13-14 NLT
[13]”For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, [14] who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.”

This transfer from darkness to light also means that we have a new nature, the nature of Jesus, superimposed on our old nature which still demands self-rule and drives us with ungodly desires.

So, there is a relentless war going on inside those who have been born from above, flesh against spirit and spirit against flesh. The outcome for the winner is eternal life or death.

Romans 8:5-8, 12-13 NLT
[5] “Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. [6] So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. [7] For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. [8] That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God…
[12] Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. [13] For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live.”

Eternal life is the destiny of those who purposefully follow the path of righteousness, holiness, and truth through obedience to the Holy Spirit.

Romans 6:20-23 NLT
[20] “When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. [21] And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. [22] But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. [23] For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:5-8, 12-13 NLT
[5] “Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. [6] So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. [7] For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. [8] That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.
[12] Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. [13] For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live.”

However, those who have been born of God also have a guarantee.

1 John 3:9 NLT
[9] “Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God.”

1 John 3:9 NIV
[9] “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed (Greek – sperma) remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.”

What if we fall into sin despite our desire to live by and walk in the Spirit?

We have the assurance that God will forgive our sin if…

1 John 1:9 NLT
[9] “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”

We have a legal representative who pleads our case.

1 John 2:1-2 NLT
[1] “My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. [2] He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.”

Of all the blood offered on all the altars in the world for all time, there is only one sacrifice for sin that is acceptable and irresistible to God.

1 Peter 1:18-20 NLT
[18]”For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. [19] It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. [20] God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days he has been revealed for your sake.”

Why is the blood of Christ precious (Greek meaning ‘honoured, valuable, costly, priceless’)?

Jesus offered His blood as an eternal sacrifice.

Hebrews 9:13-14 NLT
[13]”Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. [14] Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.”

His blood ratified the New Covenant.

Hebrews 13:20 NLT
[20]” Now may the God of peace— who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—”…

He lives forever to present His blood to the Father, to make intercession for us.

Hebrews 7:24-25 NLT
[24] “But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. [25] Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.”

His once-for-all sacrifice makes us holy.

Hebrews 10:14 NLT
[14]” For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.”

How do we know that faith in this acceptable, irresistible sacrifice has changed our lives? There is one test, one evidence that God’s grace is effective.

1 John 3:14 NLT
[14]”If we love our brothers and sisters who are believers, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead.”

Since God has given us only two commandments in the New Covenant…

1 John 3:23 NLT
[23] “And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us.”

… the test of obedience is simple.

1 John 3:10 NLT
[10] “So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.”

SOME PUZZLES OF SCRIPTURE – 6

Bible Study, ,

Did Jesus teach His disciples to be doormats under people’s feet?

We can easily believe this when we read His take on “turning the other cheek,” etc. However, there may be a hidden meaning in His illustrations. It is true that God wants us not ‭to retaliate and take revenge on those who misuse us. It takes grace to allow insults and injuries to pass without reaction.

We have the supreme example of Jesus Himself. He absorbed all the wicked and cruel ways He was treated into Himself during His arrest, trial, and crucifixion without retaliation in word or action. As the God-man, He could have saved Himself or destroyed His enemies, but He didn’t.

‭1 Peter 2:23-24 NLT‬
[23] “He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. [24] He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.”

In His sinless attitude and actions, He took our sin upon Himself and suffered God’s wrath for us.

However, He did not condone injustice or cruelty in any form, nor did He ever fail to uphold the freedom and dignity of fellow humans. Even when the rich young ruler rejected Him, He let him go with a sad heart but without trying to persuade him otherwise.

‭Matthew 5:38-39 NLT‬
[38] “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ [39] But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.”

What did He imply when He said, “Turn the other cheek”?

In ancient Hebrew culture, when a superior insulted an inferior by slapping him in the face, he would hit him with an open right hand on his left cheek. If the victim offered him his right cheek as well, he would be forcing vhis aggressor to use his left hand. This was unacceptable in that society because everyone used their left hand for ‘unclean’ purposes, inferring that everyone was equal.

‭Matthew 5:40 NLT‬
[40] “If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too.”

Two main articles of clothing formed the wardrobe of poor people in those days, an inner garment, the robe, and an all-purpose outer garment, the cloak. If a poor person was sued for his cloak, he would have nothing to cover himself at night. Jesus advocated that he offer his robe as well, leaving him naked. Apparently, it was sin, not to be naked but to look at a naked person. A simple solution would be to return his cloak, restoring the poor person’s dignity.

‭‭Matthew 5:41 NLT‬
[41] “If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles.”

Roman soldiers were not permitted to force a Jew to carry his heavy pack for more than one mile. Beyond that, he would be punished by forfeiting a day’s wages.

Hence Jesus’ prescription, “Carry it for two miles,” forcing the soldier to intervene. In this way, the soldier to save himself from a penalty for his cruelty and restore the oppressed Jew’s dignity.

Case closed!

Not only did Jesus teach His followers to accept unfair treatment without retaliation, but He also advocated actions WITHOUT WORDS, that forced aggressors to restore dignity to their victims.

These instructions fit perfectly into Jesus’ attitude towards all people. He hated arrogance in any form, the attitude that some people think they are better than others. He was especially strict on the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. They set high standards for others which they altered for themselves and did not observe.

Perhaps the greater lesson for us who claim to follow Jesus is that we are as careful to preserve the dignity of others as we are to guard our own.

SOME PUZZLES OF SCRIPTURE – 5

Bible Study, ,

Some Scriptures have such a variety of interpretations that one can recognise the confusion in the minds of Bible translators and scholars.

I found one such passage in James 4.

‭James 4:1-5 NLT‬
[1] “What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? [2] You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. [3] And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure. [4] You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. [5] Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him.”

The verse in question is verse 5. Every translation I have read gives a different slant to its interpretation. If we don’t take the context into account, the meaning of verse 5 is obscured.

Most Bible scholars seem to understand that James is referring to the Holy Spirit who longs for us to be faithful to Him.

‭James 4:5 NIV‬
[5] “Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us?”

‭James 4:5 CEV‬
[5] “Do you doubt the Scriptures that say, “God truly cares about the Spirit he has put in us”?

‭James 4:5 KJV‬
[5]”Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?”

‭James 4:5 NKJV‬
[5] “Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”?

These translators focus on the Holy Spirit who jealously watches over our spirits. However, is that what James is saying? To what spirit is He referring and what is the nature of that spirit?

“What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?”

“Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.”

The ‘spirit’ James is describing
is the old nature, driven by evil desires and at war with God’s Spirit in us.

Paul describes the same conflict in us.

‭‭Galatians 5:16-17 NLT‬
[16]”So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. [17] The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.”

The Greek words imply that we think, it seems or appears, in vain, that the Scriptures say or mean that the spirit that inhabits, is in (an established position) me (the word used is ‘ego’, I, me, singular), holding a grudge, spite, jealousy, or ill will, is full of lustful desires.

In this rather clumsy interpretation, is James saying that it is the spirit that is established in me, is spiteful and jealous and that strongly desires what others have that I want. Hence the wars and fights between believers.

This verse is not about the Holy Spirit at all. It’s about the reason for the quarrels between believers. The old sinful nature wants what others have, and fights to get it. James calls this “friendship with the world”. So does John.

‭1 John 2:15-17 NLT‬
[15]”Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. [16] For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. [17] And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.”

What is the solution? James continues…

‭James 4:6-8 NLT‬
[6]”And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” [7] So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.”

GRACE! Only God’s grace, received with humilty, can rescue us from the ravages of our old, sinful nature. This grace comes to us through the Holy Spirit who lives in us, and helps us overcome the evil desires driven by our old nature.

The Greek word James uses to describe God’s treatment of proud people is graphic. He calls in His heavenly troops to set up a strong military resistance. He approaches those who approach Him (through the correct channel, the blood of Jesus – Hebrews 10:19ff). Like the father of the lost son, the Father runs to meet them.

When we accept the position on earth that God has prepared us for, and live and function in it under His authority, with gratitude and humility, we will flourish and be blessed.