“What leads to [the unending] quarrels and conflicts among you? Do they not come from your [hedonistic] desires that wage war in your [bodily] members [fighting for control over you]? You are jealous and covet [what others have] and your lust goes unfulfilled; so you murder. You are envious and cannot obtain [the object of your envy]; so you fight and battle. You do not have because you do not ask [it of God]. You ask [God for something] and do not receive it, because you ask with wrong motives [out of selfishness or with an unrighteous agenda], so that [when you get what you want] you may spend it on your [hedonistic] desires. You adulteresses [disloyal sinners—flirting with the world and breaking your vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world’s friend [that is, loving the things of the world] is being God’s enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says to no purpose that the [human] spirit which He has made to dwell in us lusts with envy? But He gives us more and more grace [through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation]. Therefore, it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD and HAUGHTY, BUT [continually] GIVES [the gift of] GRACE TO THE HUMBLE [who turn away from self-righteousness].” So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you. Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people]. Be miserable and grieve and weep [over your sin]. Let your [foolish] laughter be turned to mourning and your [reckless] joy to gloom. Humble yourselves [with an attitude of repentance and insignificance] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up, He will give you purpose].”
James 4:1-10 AMP
With all that has been happening around us these past few months, it is safe to say James the brother of Jesus has us pretty much pegged in this scripture. One of the looters was overheard by the owner of the business being looted making this statement. “ I don’t give a blank! They have insurance.” As though taking what wasn’t theirs was justified because it will be replaced. Lusting for or desiring what someone else has with a “you can get more, I don’t have it and I want it “attitude, still makes you a thief. Taking without permission something that belongs to another makes you a thief. And James says, “You desire but do not have, so you kill.” Truer words have not been written.
Justice and looting are not synonymous with civil disobedience. Lawlessness is not a good conversation starter, it’s an obstructionist agenda. How does looting and burning down your neighborhood solve the problem of the heart? James clearly states the root cause of all evil is Motive. How can something so important spin off into what we have been witnessing? The motive of an unrestrained, unregenerate heart. Sin at its core is rebellion on speed. We cannot tame the tongue or the heart with its ruthless passions without Jesus. Years ago I believe it was the Chi-lites (I’m dating myself) wrote the song: There will never be any peace until God is at the conference table. I’ll share a few lines😊
There will never be any peace
Until God is seated at the conference table
(He’s at the conference table)
Men are runnin’ from land to land
Tryin’ to make things alright
Holding meeting after meeting, constantly reaching
For what they maybe thinking is right
Everybody has a plan
Ain’t that just a man
People can’t you understand?
We gotta tell ‘em
There will never be any peace
Until God is seated at the conference table
(He’s at the conference table)
There will never be any peace
Until God is seated at the conference table
(He’s at the conference table)
What went on in the dark
Has come to light
Tell me who's to blame
And what’s his name?
You can point your finger
But you gotta remember
What was done was done by a man
So we gotta tell ‘em
There will never be any peace
Until God is seated at the conference table
What was done in the dark has come to light, what was done was done by man. Great lines. Go back to Genesis 3. What was his name? Satan. Who did he deceive? Man. I’m all for having conversations on racism, as long as we’re honest with ourselves that it’s a temporary fix to a permanent problem without God at the conference table. If hearts aren’t changed through the love of God, we’ll be right back here after the next event. Call me a pessimist. But all we’re doing is going through revolving doors. The first black president was supposed to solve and heal the racial divide not only here but around the world, some even likened him to Jesus. (The Hill.com January 21,2009) There is only One Savior, Jesus Christ! We can point fingers at who we think is to blame for our failures, but if we will be honest with ourselves, there will never be true reconciliation or lasting peace until Jesus, the Prince of peace returns. As long as we place our confidence in man, we will get man’s results. ( Psalm 118:8-9; Micah 7:5-6) No world leader has the power, without God’s help, to make changes that only He can, changes that will last anyway. Judges 7:2; Proverbs 3:5-6 and Psalm 75 (please read highlighted scriptures)
The Bible says the heart of man is desperately wicked, bent towards evil. ( Jeremiah 17:9)The first murder recorded in scripture was between blood brothers, and came about because of jealousy and willful disobedience towards God’s acceptable offering. Cain offered what he wanted God to have, Abel offered what was pleasing to God. Cain’s offering was rejected, and he became angry with God but took it out on his brother. Genesis 4.
God warned him about the consequences that he would face if he didn’t repent before the murder, but the rage was more powerful than his willingness to let go of his jealousy. Are we there yet? I’d say we have the Cain syndrome right now. We’ve come up with catchphrases like, white privilege, Racism, anti Semitic hatred, murders, jealousy, envy, lusts, slander, wrath, greed, pride, but they all have one thing in common, SIN! No one wants to call it what it is, because it’s too simplistic or it will force us to look in the mirror and take responsibility for our actions. To call out the root, would nullify a lot of the fake rage. The rage that makes it alright to destroy people’s livelihoods or Take over entire cities without any accountability or repercussions.
“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God” [for temptation does not originate from God, but from our own flaws]; for God cannot be tempted by [what is] evil, and He Himself tempts no one. But each one is tempted when he is dragged away, enticed and baited [to commit sin] by his own [worldly] desire (lust, passion). Then when the illicit desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin has run its course, it gives birth to death.” James 1:13-15 AMP
“For the mystery of lawlessness [rebellion against divine authority and the coming reign of lawlessness] is already at work; [but it is restrained] only until he who now restrains it is taken out of the way.”
2 Thessalonians 2:7 AMP
So what do you really really want? There will be no lasting peace, no matter how much conversation is being had on race, restitution, reparations, lines in the sand, written in the streets, painted on walls, replace every sermon to fit the cancel culture narrative! There will NEVER be any reconciliation or lasting peace until man reconciles with their Creator. The answer to all our problems is a heart changed by surrendering to Jesus Christ. Talk is cheap. But it only becomes meaningful when God is seated at the conference table. If we’re not introducing Jesus as the solution, I’m here to tell you, it’s not going to last! We’re offering man’s solution to a God only, Jesus only cure. He alone is and has the answer. Am I advocating that we do nothing? Absolutely not! But unless He’s at the center of what is being recommended as a solution, It’s only a bandaid on a gaping wound.
We have not because we ask not, and when we do ask, we don’t ask God. We ask the so called experts. When we ask we do not receive, because we ask with our motives and agendas. We cannot fix ourselves. You may think because you haven’t done really terrible things that you’re doing well, but if you haven’t received a heart transplant, you’re capable of anything. It’s all about the heart. Who’s the answer to all of life’s problems? Is He at the table? There was a time when World leaders used to consult the prophets to get God’s mind on what their next move should be when facing a crisis, now it’s just something we read about in the Bible.
So what do you really really want? I’m a born again child of God, but I’m not ignorant to what’s happening around me. I don’t need to be a scholar of world events or black history, to recognize sin. The Bible says we’re not to be ignorant of Satan’s devices, (2 Corinthians 2:11)the schemes and trickery he uses. He comes with one aim Jesus said, to kill steal and destroy. Jesus the only solution says, He has come to give not just life but abundant life! John 10:10
So I ask again! What do you really really want? Jesus is the answer.
When I don’t know the words to say, and I can’t find the words to pray, I say Your Name. Jesus, Jesus! The Name that makes the darkness tremble. I call on Your Name to provide a supernatural response to a devilish problem facing our nation and world today. We know that true lasting peace will only come from You, The Prince of peace. Guide us in Your truth. We invite you to sit at the conference table of all the discussions taking place right now. We seek your wisdom and guidance recognizing that our efforts are futile without You. Thank you Father for hearing our humble prayer. In Jesus Christ Name. Amen
“Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:13 AMP
Written by permission of the Holy Spirit
W. Tennant