“FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WORLD!”

 James 4:4-6                                      (ESV)

[4] You adulterous people! Do you not know that “FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WORLD” is enmity (hostility; animosity) with GOD? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world MAKES HIMSELF AN ENEMY OF GOD. [5] Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “HE yearns jealously over the SPIRIT that HE has made to dwell in us”? [6] But HE gives more grace. Therefore it says, “GOD opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Merely reading Scripture isn’t allowing THE WORD to transform us into HIS IMAGE.  While I have placed “FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WORLD” in capital letters, being at “enmity with GOD is what I am drawn to focus on today.  

The word enmity is one that demands a bit of study for me.  According to one dictionary, synonyms for enmity include “hostility and animosity”.  Animosity broken down leads me to discover that the Latin word “animōsē” is where our word animosity comes from.  Animōsē means “spirited, courageous, undaunted, PROUD”.  The first three descriptions might be included in the “good things” to possess.  Being PROUD, however, is not something that we should strive for.  Other words listed are ANGRILY, WRATHFULLY, and IRRITABLY!

Maybe the author, James, was thinking about how GOD must feel when dealing with humans?  Isaiah 55:8-9 says “For MY thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways MY ways, declares the LORD. 

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are MY ways higher than your ways and MY thoughts than your thoughts.”  We question what GOD is thinking when certain things happen, (especially when a loved one is removed from us) but the ONE WHO has the ability to make them stay has determined that their time on earth has been completed, AND HE KNOWS BEST!

“FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WORLD” is possibly elevating our wishes ahead of HIS PLAN for our future.  Being ANGRY WITH GOD is a dangerous place to exist.  HE IS GOD, AND WE ARE NOT!  Please remember that we don’t have the knowledge or wisdom to question the CREATOR OF EVERYTHING.  It has often been repeated “Be careful of the friends you keep”, and that is never more apparent than in this context.  Being friends with GOD and having “FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WORLD” will make you ANGRY, WRATHFUL and IRRITABLE!  “FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WORLD” groups us with THE ENEMIES OF GOD, something I prefer to avoid!!!