For where envy and self seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. (17) But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. (18) Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (4:1) Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? (2) You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. (3) You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
James, the half brother of Jesus, and the head of the church in Jerusalem, wrote this pastoral letter to Christian believers. Our verses today are an introduction to practical problems of conflict – at home and in the church – and he contrasts heavenly wisdom with the spirit of worldliness manifested in selfish ways. We still have our sinful nature – the body itself is not sinful but we are not free of indwelling sinful nature until death. The conflict James addresses is self versus self at heart – an inner war between conscience and corruption that spreads to quarrels with relations and neighbors. Power, pleasures, lust for riches and reputation lead to all contentions in the world from the corruption of our own hearts. We think we will secure happiness and pleasure by following our own eager wishes but worldly pursuits lead to disappointment; ultimately there is no contentment or satisfaction. Pride, vanity and sensuality dishonor God by their ends. If we seek things if this world God is just to deny us.
James tells his readers to judge their motives. We are told to turn from this world and turn our lives over to the sovereign God, humbly seeking wisdom from above. We are to repent our sins and stop judging others. Most importantly, we are to look within for the source of conflict – to take responsibility, to stop blaming others for our problems. The enemy isn’t the other person, it’s our selfish ends.
The main reason we pray for peace is so God will be glorified – we allow God to work through us. We are to move in the direction of peace and to get rid of our selfish focus; to not let the first aim in life to be pleasing ourselves. Where there is envy and strife there is confusion with everything unsettled and agitated. Love and harmony are banished and happiness disappears. We show wisdom by how we live our lives – we will live in harmonious relationships by being submissive to God’s Spirit.