You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:4
If I had a black marker that I could use in my Bible to mark out the things that I don’t like, this verse would probably make the list. To be friends with people here on earth means that I’m an enemy with God? Are you serious? When we read that it just shows us that the Bible is antiquated and ridiculous. After all, if God is real, didn’t He create the world? Didn’t He create people? It doesn’t even make sense. And then think about applying these words. If you’re a teenager, this is social suicide. As an adult, it’s not much different. But what if they’re true? What if these words aren’t ridiculous? Think about it: humans are the ones who wage war, they steal, they strive after selfish gain, they’re greedy, and they seem to live a hedonistic lifestyle of pursuing whatever brings them pleasure regardless of its effect on others. Compare that with God’s definition of love from 1 Corinthians 13 – love is patient, kind, not envious, not boasting, not proud, not rude, not self-seeking, not easily angered, etc. Now it’s starting to seem sensible. When we welcome those things of the world into our lives (and more importantly into our hearts), they are directly opposed to the work that God is doing within us. When we pursue worldly influences that push us into a life that is opposite of the life God has for us, then we make ourselves enemies of our heavenly Father. We cannot live to please both God and man – we have to make a choice. Just remember to choose wisely.
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