James 4:1-3
"Where do wars (battles) and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desire for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war (battle), yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss that you may spend on your pleasures".
Here we see James explaining the futility of self service. He speaks of those who lust, murder, covet, fight and war for things that will not fulfill. They do the same for what they think is right. The context here is not that they cannot get to what they lust for, covet, fight and battle for: there are people all over the world receiving exactly what they think they desire. We see the world rejoicing over their carnal desires, manipulation and idolatry. It is ever before our face in daily experiences and in the media. It is my opinion that James is explaining that these carnal approaches will not fulfill: in their lusting, coveting, fighting and battling, they have not what truly fulfills. They cannot obtain what soothes the soul and gives strength. Their battle is not the good fight of faith! He says that they do not have because they do not ask (they are not asking for what they should be). When they do ask, they receive not because they are asking, again, for the wrong things, not those things He knows will bless.
"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding". (Proverbs 4:7)
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to who him who knocks it will be opened". (Matthew 7:7)
The scripture writes that He (Jesus) is our exceeding great reward. Ask of Him and of Himself He will give to you and show you great and mighty things that you do not know! Asking Him for who He is results in humility: allowing Him to do in us what He knows is good for us and mankind.
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