Reducing Quarrels In Your Life Pt 1 | James Pt8 | Mike Prah Sermon

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HOW TO REDUCE QUARRELS IN YOUR LIFE - Pt 1
JAMES: PRACTICAL GRACE FILLED LIVING SERIES - Pt 8 of 10
James 4:1-10 | Mike Prah | July 17, 2022

James 4:1-10 (NLT)

“What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? 2 You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. 3 And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.4 Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. 5 Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him. 6 And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.” 

"God ... gives grace to the humble.  Humble yourself before the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor."  James 4:6,10 (NLT) 

Definition: Quarrel — “A heated argument, typically about a trivial issue, between people who are usually on good terms.” 

I. WHAT CAUSES QUARRELS? 

• THE CAUSE OF QUARRELS IS: CONFLICTING DESIRES

“What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?” James 4:1 (NLT) 

“For what our human nature wants is opposed to what the Spirit wants, and what the Spirit wants is opposed to what our human nature wants. So these two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you cannot do the things that you please.” Galatians 5:17, GN/NLT/NASB 

• THE DESIRE TO HAVE POSSESSIONS

“What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil DESIRES at war within you?” You want what you don’t have … You are jealous of what others have …” James 4:1-2a (NLT)        

• THE DESIRE TO FEEL GOOD (PLEASURE)

“What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? … You want only what will give you pleasure” James 4:1,3 (NLT) 

“God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”  1 Timothy 6:17b (NLT) 

• THE DESIRE TO BE NUMBER ONE (PRIDE & POWER)

"Pride leads to arguments ..." Proverbs 13:10 (LB) 

 “You don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. 3 And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong …”  James 4:2-3 (NLT) 

"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."  James 4:6 (NLT) 

II. THE CURE FOR ARGUMENTS: HUMILITY

"God ... gives grace to the humble.  Humble yourself before the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor."  James 4:6,10 (NLT) 

III. WHAT WILL HELP ME QUARREL LESS?

 1. TO REDUCE QUARRELING, I MUST REALIZE THAT QUARRELING IS DESTRUCTIVE

 “Stop being mean, bad-tempered, and angry. Quarreling, harsh words, and dislike of others should have no place in your lives.” Ephesians 4:31 (LB)

 Quarreling is a Mark of Immaturity:

“You are still only baby Christians, controlled by your own desires, not God's. When you are jealous and divide into quarreling groups, doesn't that prove you are still babies, wanting your own way? In fact, you are acting like people who don't belong to the Lord at all!”  1 Corinthians 3:3 (LB) 

“A devious person spreads quarrels. A gossip separates the closest of friends.” Proverbs 16:28 (GW) 

“A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.” 2 Timothy 2:24 (NLT) 

“Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.” Titus 3:1-2 (NLT) 

“Keep reminding God’s people ... Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.” 2 Timothy 2:14 (NIV) 

“A conceited [prideful] person shows that he doesn’t understand anything. Rather, he has an unhealthy desire to argue and quarrel about words. This produces jealousy, rivalry, cursing, suspicion, and conflict between people whose corrupt minds have been robbed of the truth.” 1 Timothy 6:4-5 (GW) 

“It’s a mark of good character to avert quarrels, but fools love to pick fights.” Proverbs 20:3 (MSG) 

“Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.” Proverbs 17:14 (NIV) 

“The fool who provokes his family to anger and resentment will finally have nothing worthwhile left.” Proverbs 11:29 (LB) 

2. TO REDUCE QUARRELING, I MUST DECIDE TO CHANGE AND ASK FOR FORGIVENESS

 “Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy.” James 4:8b-9 (NLT)

 3. TO REDUCE QUARRELING, I MUST STOP EXPECTING PEOPLE TO MEET MY NEEDS THAT ONLY GOD CAN FULFILL

 “You do not have BECAUSE you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives …” James 4:2b-3 (NIV) 

“So, you are not loyal to God! You should know that loving the world is the same as hating God. Anyone who wants to be a friend of the world becomes God’s enemy. Do you think the Scripture means nothing that says, “The Spirit that God made to live in us wants us for Himself alone”? But God gives us even more grace.” James 4:4-6a (NCV) 

"God ... gives grace to the humble.  Humble yourself before the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor."  James 4:6,10 (NLT)

TO BE CONTINUED . . .

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