Some there were that did ask of God the blessings of his goodness 1 a James, a servant 1 of God and b of the Lord Jesus Christ,. Anyone who chooses the world for a friend is constituted an enemy of God. Proud member James calls this enemy “your pleasures” (4:1, 3). James apparently again resumes the last expression, whilst he now grants αἰτεῖτε to his readers; but as he designates this their asking as κακῶς αἰτεῖσθαι, he does not consider it as an actual prayer, so that the foregoing declaration is nevertheless true. 3 When you ask, you do not receive,(A)because you ask with wrong motives,(B)that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. 1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. There is nothing wrong with “spend[ing] what you get on your pleasures” provided your heart is in alignment with God when you ask. 4 Adulterers! ... it is also a bit difficult to understand. This Seems Impossible. He asks (3:13a), “Who among you is wise and understanding?” Perhaps some of the self-appointed teachers were thinking, “I’m glad that you recognize my talents!” Then in his no-nonsense style, James springs the trap (3:13b): “Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.” It’s easy to claim to have wisdom. James tells his readers to "resist the devil and he will flee from you." Read commentary on this popular Bible verse and understand the real meaning behind God's Word using John Gill's Exposition of the Bible. Loving Father I do want to pray aright and to pray into Your will. What does James mean when he uses the words, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? Article Images Copyright © 2020 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. They were fighting with each other because they couldn't get what they wanted. Ye Ask Amiss. 7-10) [7] Submit yourselves therefore to God. It implies that the enemy poses as a friendly ally, someone who will help you enjoy life better. The sermonic nature of this epistle is quite pronounced in this chapter, as in the third. James 4. 3. KJV Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. i. “More probably is the view that James was not citing a particular passage but summarizing the truth expressed in several Old Testament passages.” (Hiebert) ii. Bible Commentary Bible Verses Devotionals Faith Prayers Coloring Pages Pros and Cons, 40 Important Bible Scriptures on Preparation, Righteousness Exalts a Nation Meaning and Meditation, 18 Strong Prayers for a New Place to Live, Having Done All to Stand Meaning and Meditation, A Good Name Is Better than Riches Meaning and Meditation, 50 Compelling Bible Scriptures on Direction. 4 You adulterous people, # 4:4 An allusion to covenant unfaithfulness; see Hosea 3:1. don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? He does provide us enough for our modest enjoyments, and it brings him glory for us to use his gifts for our wholesome rest and recreation in his name. right end, to do good to others, and to make use of what might be In verse 2, he wrote that if a person could perfectly control his words, he would be perfect. He will not give us a gift that will replace himself in our hearts, because he loves us too much and does not wish to see us come to harm. The Greek word for “Amiss” is Kakos, which describes something that is bad or wrong. ( Luke It is truly a profound privilege to be able to approach the throne of God with boldness and … In typical fashion, James sets his trap and then springs it! Greetings.. But James is saying this is not a hopeless circumstance at all. belly, and took no notice of Lazarus at his gate; ( Luke 16:19 ) . What does James 4:3 mean? Delight In The Lord. What does James 4:3 mean? James 4:3 KJV James 4:3 Bible Apps James 4:3 Biblia Paralela James 4:3 Chinese Bible James 4:3 French Bible James 4:3 German Bible Alphabetical: and ask because do get it may motives not on pleasures receive so spend that what When with wrong you your NT Letters: James 4:3 You ask and don't receive because you (Ja Jas. James 4:5 says, "Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?". However, in studying it, I am convinced that a fully understanding of the meaning in context is the key to finding the source of the quote. This is a wonderful statement. 5 Can you not see the point of the saying in scripture, 'The longing of the spirit he sent to dwell in us is a jealous longing.'?. of Compiled & Edited by BibleStudyTools Staff, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The problem is not that we would pray, but that we would pray with some sort of sinful motive and desire to satisfy some lust for pleasure that goes beyond the bounds God has given us. Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. He is truly a jealous God when it comes to the love of His children. James 4:3 “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”. #3 “that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” How do you “spend what you get?” We are called to manage wealth as stewards of what is God’s for his glory and his purposes. When we have become passionate about a thing, then it has become an idol, and the motive for asking has become sinful. For We Walk By Faith. Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." and providence, and yet these were not bestowed on them; the 2 e Count it all joy, my brothers, 2 when you meet trials f of various kinds, 3 for you know that g the testing of your faith h produces steadfastness. reason was, because ye ask amiss; Wesley's Notes for James 4:3. Praying through James 4:2 . “Kill”, here meaning murder, is the ultimate result of thwarted desires. Copyright © 2020, Bible Study Tools. #2 “you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives,” God is a kind and generous Father. All rights reserved. 4:3 But if ye do ask, ye receive not, because ye ask amiss - That is, from a wrong motive. To c the twelve tribes in d the Dispersion:. Do you not realise that love for the world is hatred for God? Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. Some even have prayed for the things which would satisfy their … bestowed, for the honour of God, and the interest of Christ: but. 2 My brothers, 1 w show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, x the Lord of glory. So why does James say that our motives are wrong when we ask God for something we would take pleasure in? We have to ask with the right motives James 4:3, 'You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.' He is also a wise and good Father who will not give us what will hurt us. (James 4:4) "But he gives us more grace. He will not have a rival God, because he loves us. When we are struggling with anxiety, fear, or guilt about our lives we listen easily to the devil's voice about ourselves and our situations. James wrote to believers who seemed to have quite a few problems with their behavior. 2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. God jealously yearns for the full devotion of His children. that ye may consume it upon your lusts; For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.' Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Testing of Your Faith. God gives us good gifts to enjoy (1 Tim 6:17) but they must always be seen as less important than the giver himself. Answer: The book of James contains a lot of practical instruction for how Christians should live their lives. But when we cross the line into something we must have in our pleasure-seeking, we show that we need pleasure more than we need God. It is truly a profound privilege to be able to approach the throne of God with boldness and ask him things and for help (Heb 4:6). He appears to be speaking of the lusts of the heart that we might crave and that would take the place of our satisfaction in God. James 4:3-5 New Living Translation (NLT) 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. ESV You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! Commentary on James 3:13—4:3, 7-8a View Bible Text After several chapters of warnings and vivid illustrations of the consequences of living contrary to the plan of God, James moves in this passage to describe the good life and give some positive guidance for pursuing it. Strength In Times Of Trouble. Ask and It Shall Be Given Unto You. James 4:3. NIV When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. James 4:3 “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” Explanation and Commentary of James 4:3. The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures is published by Jehovah’s Witnesses. Hebrews 4:3 Context. (v 6-8) And even that's not enough! He would be able to "bridle" or flawlessly control his entire body. 12:19 ) or the rich man, who spent all upon his back and his James 4:1-3 This is vital because we find ourselves living in a culture that is coming apart at the seams because each individual wants to execute his desires. James 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. #1 “When you ask,” We are admonished to pray to God who is like a good Father who will give good gifts to his children when they ask (Mt 7:9). 4 You adulterers! We can surmise that they were asking this question because James would not have just provided an answer as he did in the 4 th chapter of James in the 3 rd verse “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss..” if there had not been a question asked necessitating that answer.. goods laid up for many years did, to the neglect of his own soul, [ a] Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? James says, “Show me your wisdom by your life!” The old King James Bible uses the word “conversation” (NASB= “good b… The Sin of Partiality. James had in mind actual murder and the gamut of sins (hate, anger, bitterness), leading up to it. Verse 1. What does James 3:4 mean? [⇑ See verse text ⇑] James continues to illustrate the point about how difficult our words are to control. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. Question: "What is the meaning of ‘you have not because you ask not’ in James 4:2?" Or it may be that James 4:5 speaks in two independent sentences, and that the words of Scripture quoted refer to what was said in James 4:4. The Wisdom of Humility. And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. not in the faith of a divine promise; nor with thankfulness for * The meaning of this saying is difficult because the author of James cites, probably from memory, a passage that is not in any extant manuscript of the Bible. Furthermore, in what seems only too modern in theme, James identifies our difficulty in satisfying our insatiable wants and desires for things as the root cause of the inevitable coveting and cravings that lead to conflict, disputes, and eventually to outright war (James 4:1-3). James says that living that way is adultery. We are told in many places that not only does God allow it, he likes for us to depend upon him in this way. Free Reading Plans and Devotionals related to James 4:3. indulge to intemperance and luxury; as the man that had much Ye ask, and receive not Keep me I pray from such covetous thoughts that anchor me to this world, which I know have nothing to offer, but rather help me to focus my eyes on You and keep my ears ever open to Your voice, so that I may pray in spirit and truth, in Jesus name I pray, AMEN. NLT And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure. The Last Four from Craig Groeschel. 3- God’s Remedy (vss. We get the word hedonism from this Greek word. John Gill's Exposition of the Bible James 4:3. James 4:1-17—Read the Bible online or download free. NKJV You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. (James 4:3) "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? It is not always what we ask for that is the problem, but rather how and why we ask. His basic question to the Christian is, "Are we going to submit to God or to our desires for pleasure?" James seems to be speaking to the category of things that we want bad enough to fight, or even murder for (Ja 4:1-2). Thy Word Have I Hid. God always tests the heart. ... (James 4:3 ). James Greeting. He whispers, “Follow me, and I’ll give you the pleasure you’ve been missing.” James tells us what happens when individuals begin to do this. Context Summary James 4:1–12 builds on the end of chapter 3, describing how living according to the world's wisdom has led to great conflict among James's Christian readers. past mercies; nor with submission to the will of God; nor with a Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Jas 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss. People's Bible Notes for James 4:3. Salem Media Group. James 4:2 "Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not." "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." €œHe yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us” nkjv ask. 1 of God. what does James say that our motives are wrong when we ask God for something would. Have become passionate about a thing, then it has become an idol, and we turn their whole.... Submit to God. 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