The church is often known as a place where people fight with one another. But there is only one enemy worth fighting and that is the devil. And there is only one way to resist the devil successfully and that is by submitting to God. (James 4:1-12)
Sermon Outline
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
Dangers of being led by our desires (James 4:1-5)
- People of James desired a lot and this was causing fights among them
- Their inability to get what they wanted drove them to “kill”
- When they prayed, they prayed out of selfish motives
God gives us more grace (James 4:6-10)
- Submitting to God is the best way to fight against the devil
- How do we submit to God? By drawing near to Him
- Who or what do we worship?
Do not slander (James 4:10-12)
- How should we treat our neighbor?
- When we judge, we are failing to love our neighbor
- Who are we to judge our neighbor?
How can we fight against the evil one? (practical steps)
- Surrender to God
- Make time for God this week
- Make time for a dedicated space of confession prayer to God (use Psalm 86:11 and Psalm 23 as a guide)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- How would you define desire? What are times in your life where you let your desire lead you to make choices that were not the best for you?
- In James 4:2-3 it says “You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” What do you think the phrase “asking with the wrong motives” means?
- In James 4:6 it says that “God gives us more grace.” What does grace mean to you? When in your life have you experienced the grace of God?
- In verse 7 we are tasked by James to “Submit ourselves to God” (James 4:7). What does submit to God mean to you? Is that a helpful word for you or not?
- Psalm 86:11 says “Teach me your way O LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness, give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” Have you experienced having a divided heart? What does that look like to you?
- James 4:11-12 talks to us about loving our neighbor. Is there someone in your life that you need to love better this week? What are practical things you can do to avoid gossiping?
- What does the phrase “draw near to God” mean to you?
DIG DEEPER
- Memorize James 4:7-8.
- Pray Psalm 86:11 to yourself every morning when you wake up.
- Set aside 5 minutes of quiet, uninterrupted time with God. Ask God what He wants to say to you, and listen.
- Name out your desires on a sheet of paper. Take some time to surrender those to God.
- Listen to the song “Draw Near” by Jaye Thomas throughout your week