"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever, therefore, will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."
James 4:4
“Ye adulterers and adulteresses.”
Such strong language from James. He must be talking to lost people. Let’s check,
“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting” (James 1:1).
Nope, he’s talking to God’s people! He’s speaking to them as if they are committing adultery, and they should know what he is saying is correct.
“Know ye not?”
Can’t you hear James’ frustration with these people? Really you don’t know! Why not? You have God’s Word! You have a pastor who preaches into your life, God’s Truth. You have the fellowship of believers in your local church, and they challenge you to do right, don’t they? So, where is your ignorance coming from?
“That the friendship of the world is enmity with God?”
Here’s the issue, they are friends with the world. Any husband or wife can easily understand the principle. Being married, if your spouse becomes intimate with someone else, they are committing adultery. The emotional and physical entanglements that your spouse has had with that third person has changed their heart attitude towards you.
In the Old Testament, there are references to Israel being an unfaithful wife (Isaiah 54:6; Jeremiah 3:20; Ezekiel 16:32). God chose her and made her his wife, and yet she was unfaithful and followed other gods. It is in this spiritual sense that James is writing to the 12 tribes.
For the Christian to be “the friend of the world” is to become God’s enemy.
“Whosoever, therefore, will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”
We, believers, have to make a choice. If we choose to love the world, we make ourselves the enemies of God. If we love God, the world will hate us like it hated Jesus. We cannot love both God and the world, this is spiritual adultery. The genuine believer’s choice is straightforward, “Give me Jesus!”
Take the World, But Give Me Jesus[1]
Fanny J. Crosby
1 Take the world, but give me Jesus,
All its joys are but a name;
But His love abideth ever,
Through eternal years the same.
Refrain:
Oh, the height and depth of mercy!
Oh, the length and breadth of love!
Oh, the fullness of redemption,
Pledge of endless life above!
2 Take the world, but give me Jesus,
Sweetest comfort of my soul;
With my Savior watching o’er me,
I can sing though billows roll. [Refrain]
3 Take the world, but give me Jesus,
Let me view His constant smile;
Then throughout my pilgrim journey
Light will cheer me all the while. [Refrain]
4 Take the world, but give me Jesus;
In His cross my trust shall be,
Till, with clearer, brighter vision,
Face to face my Lord I see. [Refrain]
The Gospel in Song, 1926 (Timeless Truths)
[1] “Take the World, But Give Me Jesus,” words by Fanny J. Crosby. Music by John R. Sweney. Copyright Status, Public Domain.