Friendship With the World 

Scripture Reading: James 4:1-6.

Memory Verse: "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:2).

Introduction: George Washington once said, "Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for 'tis better to be alone than in bad company." This was such a wise statement. Our friendships effect us, not only directly, but also through reputation. The Bible admonishes us to "refrain from all appearances of evil." If we choose to associate with worldly friends or if we choose to have worldly interests that take priority over God and righteousness, we can jeopardize not only our witness, but also our salvation.
  Instead of desiring worldly associations and worldly pleasures, our desire should be towards the things of God. In the Word of Life magazine there was a quote from a recently converted young woman to an unsaved friend, who could not understand the great changes that had come over her. The young woman said, "Just one letter of the alphabet makes all the difference between us now. You love the world, and I love the Word."
  This should be our heart's cry--to eliminate that one single letter and make our desire be to love the Lord and His Word!

Lesson Questions:

1. What questions did James ask that shows a problem among the Judeans of his time? James 4:1.

2. What is the cause of contention? Proverbs 10:12; 13:10; 15:18; 26:21; Psalm 140:1-3; Genesis 3:6; Matthew 15:16-20.

3. What outcome can be expected from such evil greedy desires? James 4:2; Matthew 23:24-26; Luke 20:13-16; 20:45-47; Galatians 5:15; Ecclesiastes 6:7.

4. Discuss the reason that those in contention received no real blessings. James 4:2,3; Psalm 53:4; Daniel 9:13; Matthew 20:21; Isaiah 64:7; Jeremiah 10:21.

5. How does James characterize friendship with the world? James 4:4; Luke 21:34; Matthew 13:22; Deuteronomy 12:30; 1 John 2:15; Psalm 1:1;
1 Corinthians 5:11; 15:33; 2 Corinthians 6:14.

6. What inner attitude is natural to man, but contrary to God's Spirit dwelling in us after our conversion? James 4:5; Genesis 6:5; 8:21.
Note: James 4:5 is somewhat puzzling to understand. In Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Holy Bible, Baker Book House, p. 1295, it states, "Every genuine Christian is a habitation of the Holy Ghost, and that Spirit 'excites strong desires against envy'; a man must not suppose that he is a Christian if he have an envious or covetous heart." We can be assured that the Holy Spirit is not to blame for our worldly desires.

7. By what power and work may a man be set free from his natural lusts and his love for the world? James 4:6; Psalm 84:11; 1 Corinthians 3:10; 15:10; 2 Corinthians 6:1; Ephesians 3:6,7; Hebrews 2:9.

8. What is God's attitude toward the proud and humble? Psalm 138:6; 18:27; 20:7,8; Luke 14:11; 1 Peter 5:5; Isaiah 23:9.