Lesson 23: Fighting (part 1)
Read James 4:1-10 - www.bible.com/bible/59/jas.4.esv

James has used a series of questions in this letter as he communicates the truths to the church. He often asks his audience to think about an issue before he gave a specific answer.

Works: Question - James 2:14 - What good is it, brothers, if a man claims to have faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
*Answer – James 2:17 _____

Wisdom: Question – James 3:13a - Who is wise and understanding among you?
*Answer – James 3:13b _____

Worldliness: Question – James 4:1a – What causes quarrels and what causes fights?
*Answer – James 4:1b _____

What causes fights and quarrels among you? The early church had their fair share of disagreements. The Corinthians were competing with each other’s gifts and were even suing each other in court. The Galatians were biting and devouring one another (5:15). The Ephesians had to be reminded to cultivate spiritual unity. Even the beloved Philippi had 2 women who didn’t get along. James in his letter mentioned several different fights in their midst. Class war – James 2:1-9, employment wars – James 5:1-6, church fights – James 1:19-20, 3:13-18, personal wars – James 4:11-12.

It is unfortunate that the saints are at war with each other, leader against leader, church against church, fellowship against fellowship and denomination against denomination. The world watches these wars and must marvel. No wonder Jesus prayed for us (John 17:21). But why are we at war with each other? We belong to the same family, we trust in the same Savior, we are indwelt by the same Holy Spirit and yet we fight each other – why?

James answers this question by explaining the second war that is going on – we are at war with ourselves (James 4:1b-3).


The war in the heart is helping to cause the fights in the church. What is on the inside is working its way to the outside (see James 3:14, 16). James has uncovered that the church is worldly. The word ‘lusts’ or ‘desires’ is the word for ‘pleasure.’ In many respects the desire has conceived and given birth to sin (James 1:14-15). The essence of sin is selfishness. Selfish desires are dangerous because they lead to wrong action.

James 4:2 – kill, fight, war. It even led to wrong praying (James 4:2b-3). When our praying is wrong our whole Christian life is wrong. Notice how James puts it – You want something but don’t get it. Then what? You kill and covet. But you cannot have what you want. The result? You quarrel and fight.

When is desire and pleasure sinful? 1 Timothy 4:3-5 – “Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God has created to be received with thanksgiving from them who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”