Avoid the Pitfalls of Worldly Desires by Aligning Your Will with Christ's

In a world that constantly pulls us in different directions, we often find ourselves restless, dissatisfied, or in conflict with others. Why is that? Why do we experience inner turmoil despite our best efforts to find peace and contentment? The apostle James, the brother of Jesus, offers insight into these questions in James 4:1-10, where he uncovers the root of our unrest—worldly desires that compete with God's will. His words challenge us to examine our hearts and align our desires with Christ, warning that failing to do so can rob us of the peace and joy Jesus came to bring.

Worldly Desires: The Cause of Quarrels and Fights

James opens this passage with a direct question: "What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?" (James 4:1, ESV). At the heart of many of our conflicts lies a fundamental issue: our desires. James points out that the source of our disagreements and unrest is not external but internal—our passions and desires that are misaligned with God’s will.

Martin Luther often spoke about the “bondage of the will,” our sinful nature that inclines us toward selfish desires. These desires create tension within ourselves and with others when they are not submitted to Christ. For example, imagine someone striving for success in their career, driven by envy and comparison. They work hard, but instead of being motivated by a desire to glorify God, they are fueled by a need to surpass others. This inevitably leads to conflict—with coworkers, with friends, and within their own heart.

James encourages us to do some serious self-examination. What drives your actions? Are they aligned with God's purposes, or are they shaped by worldly measures of success and power? If we chase after things of this world, we risk losing the peace and life that Jesus offers.

Friendship with the World Is Enmity with God

James uses strong language to describe the seriousness of this issue: "You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?" (James 4:4, ESV). He compares chasing after worldly desires to spiritual adultery, a betrayal of our relationship with God. This is a harsh reality to confront, but it highlights the incompatibility between following Christ and pursuing the values of this world.

This idea echoes the doctrine of the Two Kingdoms: the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of this world. To serve one is to forsake the other. The world beckons us with promises of success, material wealth, and power, but these are fleeting. Choosing to serve the world pulls us away from serving God and prevents us from experiencing the true joy and fulfillment found in Christ.

Consider the imagery of standing at a fork in the road. One path leads to spiritual fulfillment, where you trust in God’s promises and submit to His will. The other leads to fleeting satisfaction from worldly gains, but this path distances you from God. We are faced with this choice daily: do we prioritize the eternal, or are we seduced by the temporary? James warns us that to choose friendship with the world is to make ourselves enemies of God.

Humility and Grace: The Path to Peace

Thankfully, James offers us hope: "But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’" (James 4:6, ESV). The antidote to worldly desires is humility. When we humble ourselves before God, we open our hearts to receive His grace, which empowers us to resist the temptations of the world.

Pride keeps us from experiencing this grace. When we trust in our own desires, wisdom, or strength, we push God out of the picture. Humility, on the other hand, acknowledges our dependence on God and allows His transformative grace to work in us. Luther once said, "God created the world out of nothing, and as long as we are nothing, He can make something out of us." This is the posture we must take—emptying ourselves of worldly ambition and pride so that God can fill us with His grace.

Think of someone who once boasted in their own achievements, only to find themselves in a moment of crisis where they realized their dependence on God. That humbling moment often opens the door to deeper faith and a more profound understanding of God’s grace. True strength comes not from self-reliance but from submitting to God, trusting that His ways are higher than our own.

Drawing Near to God: A Call to Repentance

James concludes this passage with a powerful call to repentance: "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded" (James 4:8, ESV). Repentance is more than just feeling sorry for our sins; it is a turning away from worldly desires and a turning toward God. It requires a change in both thought and behavior.

Luther emphasized the importance of daily repentance, recognizing that our sinful desires constantly pull us away from God. Our whole life, he taught, is to be one of returning to God. Repentance isn’t a one-time event; it’s a daily process of realigning our desires and actions with Christ.

Consider the parable of the Prodigal Son. He pursued worldly desires until he hit rock bottom. It wasn’t until he returned to his father in humility that he was welcomed back with open arms. In the same way, when we humble ourselves before God, He lifts us up and restores us to a place of peace and joy.

The Peace and Joy of Aligning with Christ

At the heart of James’ message is this truth: when we pursue worldly desires, we rob ourselves of the peace and joy that Christ offers. Jesus didn’t die so we could live lives marked by anxiety, conflict, and dissatisfaction. He died and rose again so that we could experience life abundantly, with righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

James urges us to store up treasure in heaven rather than on earth, reminding us of Jesus’ words: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21, ESV). And how do we store up this heavenly treasure? By loving others as Christ has loved us, by humbling ourselves, and by seeking God’s kingdom first.

Listen, worldly desires will always tempt us. We live in a material world, and there are real needs and responsibilities that come with that. But James warns us that when our desires become stronger than our love for God and others, they will rob us of peace and joy. The good news is that God’s grace is always available. When we humble ourselves, repent, and draw near to God, He draws near to us, offering the peace and fulfillment that can only be found in Him.

So, take a moment to reflect: Are your desires aligned with God’s will, or are they shaped by the world’s standards? In your daily life, choose to humble yourself, seek God first, and trust in His promise: "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you."