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Ordered By the Lord

James 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

James 4:5-10 — 5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? 6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Introduction

The context: v1 war

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V.5 what spirit are we of? Whose really in charge?

In Submitting and Drawing near to God, God sets us in order.

I. Submission to God

1. Submission to God is demonstrated THROUGH PRAYER. Life and habit of prayer. Jesus in the garden.

  • Not "I want, I want" but as demonstrated by Christ in the Garden, "Not my will but your will..."
  • Biblical prayer is not to "change" God. But Biblical prayer is always done "according to God's will."

1 John 5:14 — And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

2. Submission to god is demonstrated in SELF DENIAL: suffering temporal loss for the eternal purpose.

Impasse of twobgoats : move aside, losing site ofcthe truth -- lasting, matters

3. RESISTING THE DEVIL demonstrates submission to God.

  • Saying NO. to stand AGAINST. OPPOSE. WITHSTAND. --- Clearly, I'm opposed to the devil.

Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

  • All of his offers are in COMPETITION with God's plan.
  • Often the devil to resist IS OUR OWN DESIRES.

II. Drawing Near to God

v.8 "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you" THIS IS OUR HOPE, not that we can touch HIM, but that he can reach us!

1. THROUGH PRAYER

  • We will steadily advance in spiritual life through and not WITHOUT prayer.

2. SELF DENIAL

  • John the Baptist, Getting out of the way.

3. RESISTING THE DEVIL

  • The devil is opposition to God. He attempts to stand between you and God. Resisting the devil is to advance TOWARD God.
  • Do
  • Cleanse your hands, ye sinners;
  • and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
  • 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
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