James 4:1-10

Things to Avoid

¹What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is the source not your pleasures that wage war in your body’s parts? ²You lust and do not have, so you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. ³You ask and do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives, so that you may spend what you request on your pleasures. ⁴You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. ⁵Or do you think that the Scripture says to no purpose, “He jealously desires the Spirit whom He has made to dwell in us”? ⁶But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” ⁷Submit therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸Come close to God and He will come close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. ⁹Be miserable, and mourn, and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy into gloom. ¹⁰Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.