War of the Worlds
James 4:1-10
Highlights from this week:
- uncontrolled desires for pleasure causes great conflict
- lust is desiring things that are contrary to God's will
- to covet is to wish for what one does not have
- God doesn't always give us what we want, He gives us what we need
- idolatry is the replacement of God in the mind of the worshipper
- grace is undeserved favor
- no matter what situation you may find yourself in, God has more than enough grace to help
- but Biblical humility grows out of the recognition that all we have and are comes from God
- submission speaks of lowering, humbling or being compliant
- people who have made themselves friends of God have become satan's enemies
- God ranks spiritual rebellion among one of the worst sins
- repentance is not just feeling sorry for yourself but being sorry you've sinned against God
- repentance begins in the heart
on Page 211, 9a says...
Idolatry is putting anyone or anything before your devotion to God. Describe a potential area in your life that could run into idolatry. (example: I always put my children first. If their sporting events are on Sunday, we skip church. I'm so busy with their schedules that I don't have time to read my Bible and pray.)
That example really got to me. When you think of idols, you tend to think of other religions that actually pray to idols, or you may think of money, drugs or alcohol...any kind of addicting thing that tends to run our lives. But our activities? Our KIDS!? But it's true. I know a lot of people like this. In most areas they would turn to God first, but when it comes to what they or their children want to do, they will tell people at church they can't help this weekend, or say that can't go to the extra prayer meeting because their kid has practice. Who knew Soccer could be an idol? Anything or anyone who comes between you and God...and you let it, follow it, crave it...is an idol. Wow.
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