Skip to main content

James 4:2: You Desire And Do Not Have, So You Murder


James 4:2
[2] You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. (ESV)

In our society we are used to getting what we want. It is amazing to me how people who complain about having no money somehow have money for the latest smart phone, a new car, and a daily pack of cigarettes. One way or the other we find a way to fulfill our selfish desires. We not only seek to satisfy our needs, but also our "greeds."

I fear that this is no new phenomenon. James writes about those whose desires were so intense that they led people to commit murder in order to have their "greeds" met. Clearly, in this scenario the desires are leading the man, not the other way around. Coveting leads to frustration, which leads to fighting and quarreling, and ultimately murder. These are the characteristics of someone who has not been regenerated by the Holy Spirit of God.

Here is the sad reality. That which truly satisfies the heart of every man is free for the asking. James rightly says, "You do not have, because you do not ask."  Salvation is the ultimate answer to fulfilling our deepest desires. You cannot have it by any works that you do. You cannot steal it from someone else. You must come humbly to God and simply ask.

So many people live their lives in useless futility. They chase after one vain pleasure after another. There are not enough drinks of alcohol that can satisfy. There are not enough sexual conquests that will provide ultimate peace and satisfaction. A life of accolades and accomplishments won't even bring what the heart of man truly desires.

The answer is to stop chasing and fighting for what won't satisfy. We need to simply ask. If you do not have, it is because you do not ask. Have you asked the Lord for forgiveness and eternal life? They are offered to you in Christ Jesus. Ask him.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Romans 8:18: For I Consider That The Sufferings Of This Present Time Are Not Worth Comparing

Romans 8:18 [18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (ESV) Perspective. What an important word. Let's be honest. We do not like the idea of suffering. We will do almost anything to avoid any kind of suffering. Some churches have gone so far as to preach against the idea of suffering, declaring it to not be a part of the true believer's life. Paul is not shy about the topic. Paul uses the sufferings of this present time as a means to consider the greater glory that awaits us. Perspective. Paul is not in any way attempting to diminish our suffering. A view toward eternity puts our suffering in a proper understanding. Yes, our suffering is terrible. In the grand scheme of eternity it is not even worth comparison. Maybe you are thinking that Paul does not know what he is talking about when it comes to suffering. In 2 Corinthians 11 Paul describes countless beatings, often near death,

Romans 11:24: For If You Were Cut From What Is By Nature A Wild Olive Tree, And Grafted, Contrary To Nature, Into A Cultivated Olive Tree . . .

Romans 11:24 [24] For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree. (ESV) We continue looking at the illustration of an olive tree. The root of the tree is the covenant relationship relationship of God with Abraham. Abraham's faith is what this spiritual tree is built on. The first branches would have been the faithful people of Israel, who like Abraham, placed their faith in God. They believed God, just like Abraham, and it was credited to them as righteousness. There were branches of the people of Israel who never placed their faith in God. Because these branches were not true followers of God they were broken off of the tree. Faith in God was the essential element that made the branches true branches of this spiritual tree. Some branches remained. Others, the faithless unbelievers, were removed. After Jesu

Romans 15:20-21: And Thus I Make It My Ambition To Preach The Gospel, Not Where Christ Has Already Been Named

Romans 15:20–21 [20] and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, [21] but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” (ESV) We need to be reminded continually that the message of the Gospel is intended to move all across the world. Jesus said that his followers were to preach the Gospel, starting in Jerusalem, and continue preaching the Gospel to the whole world. Christians have not always been good at delivering the Gospel message as far and as often as they should. In the first century church it took intense persecution to motivate the disciples in Jerusalem to bring the Gospel to Judea and Samaria. Once the disciples fled to new regions they shared the Gospel wherever they went. Would the disciples have preached the Gospel without the persecution? We may never know. Some probably would have stayed in their co