James 4:1

NIV: What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?

The Message: Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves.

Why do we argue and fight? Why do nations go to war with one another? Why do some people become suicide bombers and all sorts to make people follow their way, their religion, do what they want them to do? The answer here is that it all stems from a person's own natural, and sinful, desires.

We were made perfect, in the image of God. Just how awesome is that? The fact that the Lord God Almighty made each one of us to reflect his glory? Yet Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and as a result, sin entered into the world. So everything we do is tainted by the sin within us. We may desire to do good, but this desire is at war with the sinful nature we inherited from Adam.

So, for instance, we may see someone with something that we have always wanted ( a large widescreen monitor and lots of hard drive and ram, in my case! Or possibly new glass for my camera ;) ). Maybe our best friend has a new car, and we have to make do with travelling on the bus. Or what about those people who seem to have everything: nice house, big car, good job, money in the bank, wearing all the latest fashions and having figures to die for?

It’s a case of want, want, want. We want the things that others have, the things that look good and that make us look good. The time saving gadgets, the clothes, the car, the house, the things that give us a status, a position, make us look as if we are doing well and getting on and going up in the world. The more possessions we have, the better we are doing.

But what did Jesus say about the rich man and the kingdom of heaven?

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God (Matthew 19:24, NIV)

And what about when we are always looking to have the biggest, the best, the newest of things? When we're never satisfied with what we have, but are always wanting more?

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:19-21, NIV)

The desires of our hearts will govern what we say and do. If we always want what others have, if we are jealous when our neighbours get a new car, or have their house refurbished, if we are always looking to have the latest model, have to have the latest gadget, wear the latest fashions, then can we really say that our hearts are set on Jesus, that we, like David, are men and women with a heart after God? Is God our treasure? What is really, truly in our heart and what do we really and truly desire?

Our hearts will govern our behaviour. If we are always wanting what others have, we will probably end up being full of jealousy, pride, avarice, greed, being self seeking, self serving, looking after ourselves at the cost of others. But if we have a heart that is after God, then the opposite will be true. We will be seeking to serve, rather than be served. We will be content with what we have rather than always wanting more. We will be looking to help others, rather than help ourselves.

If we have hearts that are not seeking God, that are filled with the things of this world instead of looking to God all the time, then our own desires will, like James says, be battling within us all the time, leading to quarrels and arguments.

If we're always looking inwards, we're looking at ourselves, our wants, our needs, our desires, and we have no time or inclination to think of others because we are so wrapped up in ourselves. We become very self centred and selfish. When we look outwards instead of inwards all the time, then we're more likely to consider others, to put their needs first, to be a kinder, more considerate person. But when we are seeking God, when we are actively seeking to do His will not ours, everything falls into place. Not only will we have a heart after God, but we will become more like Jesus, and we will be less inclined to treat others with the current worldly view when anything goes because we have a right to" be happy", to put ourselves first and others last because we have had a poor start in life, we come from a single parent family, our parents had no money, we were never shown love as a child, or whatever excuse comes to mind. I'm not saying these things aren't important, weren't soul destroying, painful experiences, and haven't helped shape the person we have become, but why should they be an excuse to treat others badly?

So often in life we choose to put ourselves first, and I know I am no exception here. I could very easily become self centred (if I'm not that way already….) thinking I'm better than others in the family, those around me, and expecting others to be at my beck and call at all times. But then doesn't that start all the arguments and quarrels? When we want our own way all the time? James is pointing out this to us in plain and simple language. It’s not just others who are at fault when we have an argument. We are probably just as much to blame when we let our own desires rule our head.

So today, why not try putting God first? Ignoring your own wants and wishes, and putting those of others first? It doesn't mean becoming a doormat for everyone to walk all over, but involves instead being kind and considerate towards others, taking their feelings into account. I know this has become kind of trite these days, but before you open your mouth for that quick retort, ignore someone you just don't want to speak to, don't do something you know you should do, why not ask what would Jesus do? Ask God for help, for advice throughout the day, not just when a major catastrophe occurs. Seek Him with your whole heart, body and mind, and just watch what happens.