James went from his discussion of peace into the origin of strife. He is speaking of strife between brethren. Or, he is describing the battle that goes on within a brother. No matter which of the two he had in mind, James discovered the true source of all war. "Wars" describes a state of conflict, while "fights" refers to individual battles. These conditions arise because of one’s seeking for pleasure or gratification of fleshly desire (James 4:1).
Paul described the state of Christians before they were washed. "For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another" (Titus 3:3). Such desire arrays itself against the man (1 Peter 1:22; Luke 8:14). The pursuit of its fulfillment will cause one to fight against all in his way, including brethren (Romans 7:23). The results of such cause us to remember James’ discussion of earthly wisdom in 3:14-16. Obviously, conflicts are born of such false wisdom. Though we do not rejoice in it, the early church had some of the same problems we see today (1 Corinthians 6:1-8; 14:23-40; Galatians 5:15; Ephesians 4:1-16; Philippians 4:1-3).
“Lust" is a strong desire for a thing. Certainly, it has caused others to do wicked things. David committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband, Uriah, killed to satisfy his lust. Jezebel had Naboth killed to fulfill her husband’s desire to have his vineyard (2 Samuel 11:1-27; 1 Kings 21:1-16). The sad part is that strong desire is never fulfilled. Obtaining what such desire wants only makes it want more. James told his readers they did not receive what they wanted because they did not direct their wants in the direction of God’s will. Lust controlled their will. Coffman suggests their willful seeking for personal gratification dried up their prayers so they did not even ask God (James 4:2).
Woods notes that it is not unusual for men to be very wicked and yet ask God’s blessing on their deeds (Matthew 23:29-35; John 16:2). They do not receive the things for which they ask because they ask for wicked purposes. They simply want to satisfy their desire. God hears the prayers of the righteous and provides for all the needs of those who seek his kingdom first (James 4:3; Psalm 34:15; Matthew 6:33).
A church full of lust, she seeks the love of the world and becomes a spiritual adulteress (James 4:4). Paul told the Corinthian brethren, "For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:2). The church is Christ’s bride and should remain faithful to his wishes (Romans 7:1-4; Ephesians 5:23-24; Revelation 19:6-8). It should be plain to all that one cannot love God and the world at the same time (Matthew 6:19-24; Philippians 1:9-11; 1 John 2:15-17).
The first four verses of James 4 deal with worldly desire that is contrary to God’s working. Verse 5 continues the thought by referring to a statement which is repeated in principle several times in the Old Testament. It is the plain teaching of scripture as a whole that man driven by fleshly desire covets with a selfish desire what others have (Ecclesiastes 4:4; Proverbs 27:4). God will punish those exhibiting such an attitude (Genesis 6:5-7; Job 5:12-13). Fleshly desires lead one in a direction contrary to God’s will, or spiritual desire. They will cause one to work those things which will result in eternal judgment (Galatians 5:16-21; Romans 8:4-8; Isaiah 63:8-16).
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