Scripture

Our verse for today comes from James 4:1, “What causes quarrels and fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?”

Background

When I was in high school, I used to tease one of my buddies about his bruises and scratches. I didn’t tease him about how many he had or how careless or clumsy he was in getting them. No, quantity and quality were not the sources of my friendly jabs. You see, his mind was of the engineering bent. He could fix practically anything, and he was light years ahead of his time regarding computers. And so, when he discovered a new injury, trivial though it might have been, he was intent on figuring out what had happened to cause it. He would replay the day’s activities to try to uncover what he had smacked or how he had gotten cut, and I would chuckle as he either solved the riddle or decided, reluctantly, that he could not figure it out. I guess it was all unusual to me because I was always banged up or nursing a new cut or blister. I kept pretty active, and trying to determine which activity caused which bruise was completely impossible, and therefore never crossed my mind.

Application

But what should have crossed my mind, but didn’t until many years later, was the need to get at the source of the quarrels and fights that I was having. Unfortunately, it took a long time to realize that my selfish passions and headstrong ego were the driving force behind most of what I did and said. I was a slave to the emotions of the moment, and any detour from my desired path would frustrate me to no end. But what else could I do? I felt or wanted something, and my inclination was to respond accordingly. Sometimes I shut down, and other times I went on the offensive. But regardless, the war within me was going to show itself. I felt helpless. And I still do. But now, I take my helplessness to Christ (usually). And through His power, the grip that those emotions and desires have on me are broken. I still hear the call to battle of self. The lure of a good fight is still there. But I’m learning the joy of defeat, yielding to His way of victory.

Charge

As we seek Him today, ask God to help you with that emotion that still overcomes you. Lay before Him the desires that are at war within you.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words