Read James 4:5-6
Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.” (James 4:5-6)
In verse 4 James tells us that we are adulterous people. If the church is the bride “being unfaithful to God is like being caught by your husband in another man’s bed. The Lord will not share His bride with a rival.” (David Field)
In verse 5 we are not informed of the passage to which the Scripture refers. “The spirit he caused to live in us” may refer to Genesis 2:7 when God “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” Our spirit is full of envy demonstrating that we are still friends of the world.
But there is a second possible meaning. “Or what do you think the Scripture means when it says that the Holy Spirit, whom God has placed within us, watches over us with tender jealousy?” (v. 5 The Living Bible).
The word “jealous” normally refers to a base human or devilish emotion and is something we must avoid. However Scripture also refers to a “jealous God”. He is justly jealous because of His unfaithful bride.
However we interpret this verse, two points are certain. Firstly, we are all in some measure full of envy and unfaithfulness to God. Secondly, God longs for our undivided love and loyalty because He is a jealous God and His jealousy is a necessary ingredient of His true love for us. And so, if we are humble, He gives us more grace (undeserved love).
This grace may be given through a promise in His Word. It may come through a person such as a family member or friend who is with us in our time of need. Perhaps it is given through a fulfilled ministry or hobby. There are so many ways in which God showers His undeserved love upon us to enable us to be His faithful bride.
Help us, O Lord, both individually and as a church, to be Your faithful bride.
This meditation is extracted from “Transformation from Belief to Behaviour: 39 Lenten Meditations on the Letter of James” by Peter Young and used with permission by the author. It may be used solely for personal, noncommercial, and informational purposes. Republication or redistribution of this devotional is prohibited.
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