Matthew Henry Commentary James 4:1-10

"Whence [come] wars and whence [come] fightings among you? [come they] not hence, [even] of your pleasures that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and covet, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war; ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may spend [it] in your pleasures. Ye adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore would be a friend of the world maketh himself an enemy of God. Or think ye that the scripture speaketh in vain? Doth the spirit which he made to dwell in us long unto envying? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore [the scripture] saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. Be subject therefore unto God; but resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye doubleminded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall exalt you." — James 4:1-10 (ASV)

Since all wars and fighting come from the corruptions of our own hearts, it is right to mortify those lusts that war in our members. Worldly and fleshly lusts are disorders that will not allow contentment or satisfaction. Sinful desires and affections stop prayer and hinder the working of our desires toward God.

Furthermore, let us beware that we do not abuse or misuse the mercies received, which can happen through the disposition of the heart when prayers are granted. When people ask God for prosperity, they often ask with wrong aims and intentions.

If we seek the things of this world in this way, God is just in denying them. Unbelieving and cold desires invite denials; and we may be sure that when prayers are more the language of lusts than of graces, they will return empty. Here is a decided warning to avoid all culpable friendships with this world. Worldly-mindedness is enmity toward God.

An enemy may be reconciled, but “enmity” never can be. A person may have a large portion in the things of this life and yet be kept in the love of God; but whoever sets their heart upon the world, who will conform to it rather than lose its friendship, is an enemy to God. So then, anyone who resolves at all costs to be on friendly terms with the world must be the enemy of God.

Did the Jews, then, or the lax professors of Christianity, think the Scripture spoke in vain against this worldly-mindedness? Or does the Holy Spirit who dwells in all Christians, or the new nature which He creates, produce such fruit? Natural corruption shows itself by envy. The spirit of the world teaches us to lay up, or lay out, for ourselves, according to our own whims; God the Holy Spirit teaches us to be willing to do good to all around us, as we are able.

The grace of God will correct and cure the natural spirit in us; and where He gives grace, He gives a spirit different from that of the world. The proud resist God: in their understanding, they resist the truths of God; in their will, they resist the laws of God; in their passions, they resist the providence of God. Therefore, it is no wonder that God resists the proud. How wretched is the state of those who make God their enemy!

God will give more grace to the humble, because they see their need of it, pray for it, are thankful for it, and they will have it. Submit to God (James 4:7). Submit your understanding to the truth of God; submit your wills to His will of precept and His will of providence. Submit yourselves to God, for He is ready to do you good.

If we yield to temptations, the devil will continually follow us; but if we put on the whole armor of God and resist him, he will leave us. Let sinners then submit to God, and seek His grace and favor, resisting the devil. All sin must be wept over; here, in godly sorrow, or later, in eternal misery. And the Lord will not refuse to comfort one who truly mourns for sin, or to exalt one who humbles himself before Him.