Why do we experience conflict in our relationships, workplaces, and even within the church? James provides an answer: conflict often arises within us—from selfish desires that compete against God’s will. This is why dealing with the root of conflict in our lives is so important.
As we continue our Faith in Action – Walking Through James journey, today’s passage challenges us to examine our motives and surrender our desires to God, seeking His will above our own.
“What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.”
—James 4:1-3 (ESV)
Conflict is often rooted in selfish desires, but peace is found in seeking God’s will.
James gets to the heart of the issue: most conflicts aren’t just about external circumstances—they start within us.
1. The War Within
James says our fights and quarrels come from “passions at war within you.” This means:
- We experience inner turmoil when our desires conflict with God’s plans.
- Selfish ambition fuels external conflict because we prioritize our wants over others’ needs.
- When we don’t get what we want, we react in frustration, anger, or envy.
Think about the last disagreement you had. Did pride fuel it? A need to be right? A desire to control? James reminds us that these self-centered motivations often escalate conflict instead of resolving it.
2. The Problem of Misguided Desires
James describes two wrong approaches to getting what we want:
- We don’t ask God. Instead of seeking God’s provision, we rely on ourselves.
- We ask selfishly. When we do pray, our motives are often self-centered rather than God-honoring.
This passage exposes a hard truth: prayer is not about asking God to fulfill our selfish wishes—it’s about aligning our desires with His will.
3. Choosing Surrender Over Selfishness
Instead of fighting for control, we are called to seek God’s will:
- Surrender our desires to Him. Ask, Lord, is this what You want for me?
- Pray with the right motives. Instead of “God, give me what I want,” pray, “God, shape my desires to reflect Your heart.”
- Pursue peace over pride. When conflict arises, ask yourself: Am I fighting for my way or seeking God’s way?
True peace replaces unnecessary conflict when we let go of selfish ambition and embrace God’s will.
How Do We Overcome Selfishness and Seek God’s Will?
- Recognize the battle within. Be honest about selfish desires that cause tension.
- Submit your desires to God. Ask Him to align your heart with His purposes.
- Be a peacemaker. Choose to listen, love, and seek understanding instead of insisting on your way.
Action Step:
- Reflect on recent conflicts. Were they driven by selfish desires or a heart surrendered to God?
- Pray for alignment with God’s will. Ask God to purify your motives.
- Seek peace in relationships. Make an intentional effort to choose humility over pride.
“The reason we fight so much for our own desires is because we don’t trust that God’s will is better.”
—John Piper
Have you experienced a time when surrendering to God’s will brought peace instead of conflict? Share your testimony in the comments!
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Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I confess that my selfish desires often lead to conflict. Please help me to surrender my will to Yours and seek peace instead of division. Align my heart with Your purposes, and teach me to trust that Your plans are better than mine. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Blessings,
Chad
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