Source of Conflict
As James begins the fourth chapter in his book, he turns to the source of conflicts. And just as James does not shy away from any other hard topics, he makes it clear where the source of conflict stems from.
What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is the source not your pleasures that wage war in your body’s parts? 2 You 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. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives, so that you may spend what you request on your pleasures.
James 4:1-3
We can see pretty quick that James points to individual motives as the source of conflicts. An individual wants what they cannot have so the conspire to get it. Someone is jealous of a role that another has so they spread vicious rumors. We do not come before God to ask that He help us, or when we do ask it is with a motive that stems from self rather than a desire to serve God.
When looking at this passage in James 4, I am reminded of Cain and Abel.
3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”
Genesis 4:3-7
Both brothers brought an offering before God, but only one was accepted. I do not believe that Abel’s offering was much more impressive than the of Cain; but it came down to the motives behind the offering. Abel brought his with the desire to serve and honor God, while Cain brought his with the desire to serve and honor himself. We see the result of this motive in the death of Abel by Cain’s own hand and his callous answer when God asked where Abel was. The source of Cain and Abel’s conflict stemmed from a desire to serve self rather than glorify God!
Now this is not to say that sometimes conflict isn’t necessarily a good thing. After all, if someone is misusing the word of God and teaching false doctrine we need to stand up to it. This act will no doubt cause a conflict, but in the end the difference is in the motive behind it.
So if you find yourself in the middle of a conflict, I ask that you take a moment and really consider why you are in this situation. Are you seeking your own glory or are you wishing to follow after God?
Seek the truth and encourage one another,
Alex