THE theme that runs through these verses is self or God; or the world or God. The difficulty which we have as believers is that although we are a new creation in Christ, and have been reconciled to God and have fellowship with God, yet the sinful nature in our flesh is still present during this life, and exerts it desires against the Spirit, and the devil is very active to turn our sinful nature against us. Paul speaks of this in Galatians 5: 17 "For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want."

In the verses before us James speaks of two expressions of this conflict, urging believers to renounce self for God.

VERSES 3: 13-18.

The world in its wisdom does not know God. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. The world and self lives for itself, and stands up for its rights, and deems stupid anyone who is not like this. The wisdom which comes from God is totally opposite to this.

Instead of self James says true wisdom is found in the humble, for deeds done in humility show God's wisdom, which is true wisdom.

The truth of this is described by James in the next verses. Self and pride, which he calls bitter envy and selfish ambition; produces disorder and every evil practice. This is called the 'wisdom of the world' but it is not wisdom from God. God's wisdom is unselfish. James describes it verse 17 – it is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

Whereas the world's wisdom of self brings disorder and evil practice, God's wisdom sows peace and a harvest of righteousness.

VERSES 4: 1-10.

In these verses James tells of the awful consequences of giving in to the flesh. The trouble was that James saw this attitude and behaviour inside the fellowship of the church. James is pointing out a common and terrible blemish which so often tarnishes the image of the church, and destorys the witness of the church.

James points out that the desire of the flesh causes battles inside the believer. When this is nurtured it breaks out in all sorts of evil, described by James as killing and coveting; quarrelling and fighting; seeking selfish pleasure. James points out that this arises in the heart because prayer is marked by self - wrong motives and selfish desires.

In verse 4 James calls Christians who are like this as adulterous people. The adultery expressed here is giving love to self and the world rather than to Christ and to God. He forces this home by saying that friendship with the world is hatred towards God. A divided heart is a terrible evil. Then in the rather enigmatic verse 5 James says that the new nature, the spirit God has caused to live in us, envies this unfaithfulness. James is saying that the new nature which is holy is offended at such unfaithfulness in living for the new nature.

James quotes Scripture to show the folly of living for the sinful nature. God opposes the proud, and gives grace to the humble. Self is always and expression of pride. The wisdom that comes from God is always expressed in humility. God will always be against us if we live for self.