What is the cause of suffering amongst the Christians James writes to? Sometimes suffering is caused by external persecution because God’s enemies want to attack us as we seek to live godly lives. Sometimes our suffering is simply down to our circumstances, we live in a fallen world. Both of those factors may have been at work at the time and certainly were amongst many of the early churches. However, it seems that a significant cause of suffering was due to internal problems, to friendly fire if you like.
A look at the text (Read James 4:1-3)
The Churches James writes to are struggling with conflict, quarrels and divisions. The root cause of this lies in the hearts of each believer. The body corporately is divided and in conflict because individual members are at war within themselves. They are struggling to control their passions, in other words, their longings, desires and emotions are controlling them, instead of being controlled by them (4:1).[1]
Their inner desires and longings lead to sin. As well as coveting, James, shockingly even accuses them of murder. This is because they seek to meet their own desires and longings instead of asking God to meet them (4:2). Even when they do ask God, they ask from the wrong motives. Their requests to God come from lust and greed rather than a desire for what is necessary and godly (4:3).
Digging Deeper
We are often tempted to skip over the words that we find difficult or troubling. However, often spending time on them can be rewarding. So, we may be tempted to gloss over the word “murder” here. The idea that actual murder might be taking place among Christians seems unthinkable and so some have suggested that we have a textual corruption here and another sin should be mentioned.[2] Others have treated this is metaphorical but the problem is that there isn’t evidence in other literature of “murder” being used metaphorically. [3]
McKnight argues that it is sadly possible that Christians were even resorting to murder. Given that they were willing to take their brothers and sisters to court (1 Corinthians 6), to engage in sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 5) and to deprive one another (James 2), we must take this possibility seriously.[4] The point then is that when we are governed by our own selfish desires, we may find ourselves drawn further and further into sinful and harmful actions, doing whatever it takes to get our way. We should also note that when Jesus describes our heart sins as being the same as outward sins, he isn’t saying that you metaphorically commit adultery with lust. He’s saying that it really is unfaithfulness. Hatred in our heart and with our words really is murder, really does kill. The destructive impact is just as bad as if someone stops physically breathing as the result of being stabbed or shot.
A look at ourselves
We are seeing the outworking of James 3:13-18 here. Is my life centred on Christ and ruled by his wisdom? If it is then the fruit will be humility, purity, peace. I will be loving, patient and kind. However, if I allow sinful, worldly passions to control me, if I allow selfishness and envy to take over then I am likely to be divisive and cause hurt and harm with my words and actions. The way we relate to each other in the church will be shaped one way or the other by what is going on in our hearts.
[1] “The word for ‘passion’ is the source of the English word ‘hedonism,’ but in James’ day it simply implied an intense pleasure or enjoyment … though more and more it was coming to have connotations of lusts, especially involving improper sexual desires.” Blomberg & Kamell, James, 187.
[2] This was Erasmus’ view. C.f. Davids, The Epistle of James, 158.
[3] Davids, The Epistle of James, 158.
[4] McKnight, The Letter of James, 326.
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