The Book of James has been accurately described as the wisdom literature of the New Testament. Much like the Proverbs of the Old Testament, this book covers a variety of topics, and it is extremely practical for the New Testament Christian. In the context of James 4, we find ourselves right in the middle of conflict. James begins the chapter by asking, “What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you” (Jas. 4:1, NASB 95)? As he then writes the next 4 four verses, he explains the source of the evident conflict: selfishness. When mankind only thinks of himself, conflict will soon follow. So, after identifying the problem and the conflict it causes, James spends verses 6-10 explaining the remedy for the conflict. Throughout the rest of this article, let’s consider God’s remedy for conflict and what that looks like practically for you and me today.
First, we must understand that we have a choice to make when we find ourselves wrapped up in conflict. James would say in verse 6, “…God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” It is in these words that we find both the remedy for conflict and the reason conflict thrives amongst us. When we face conflict, whether caused by us or someone else, we must choose between humility and pride. This choice is much like one who looks at a fire. He can choose pride and poor gasoline on that fire, giving it what it needs to aggressively grow and thrive. Or, he can choose humility and put water on the fire, quenching the conflict and giving it no chance to continue. You have the choice, what will you choose?
Consider the choice of pride. It appears that James will equate pride to several things in James 4:6-10. In verse 7, the proud reject God and submit to Satan. In verse 8, the proud distance themselves from God, live a sinful life, and are defined as double-minded. In verse 9, they laugh and seem joyful in their sinful state when they ought to be mourning and full of remorse. Perhaps the saddest reality about a prideful person is that they will not be exalted by God (verse 10). Thinking back to the first 5 verses of James 4, this is a man/woman who is all about themselves. It is that old slogan that the world loves: “Life is about me, myself, and I.” Can we see why this attitude is not the solution to conflict? Can we see why pride is gasoline and not water? When you fight with your spouse, does pushing for your way and what you want help or hurt the situation? If everyone focused on themselves, a remedy would likely not be found because we all have different desires. Pride is like poison to so many aspects of our lives as Christians, especially when we deal with conflict. “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling” (Pro. 16:18). “When pride comes, then comes dishonor…” (Pro. 11:2a).
I hope by now it is evident that humility is the obvious remedy to conflict. When you choose to “submit therefore God” (Jas. 4:7) and “humble yourself in the presence of the Lord” (Jas. 4:10), conflict will be handled properly. When we choose humility, we stop thinking so much about ourselves. The world says, “Love and think about yourself”, but Jesus taught that we must love God, then others (Luke 10:27). The world wants you to constantly think of yourself, but God wants you to constantly think of others. That’s why Paul would say, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interest, but also for the interests of others” (Phil. 2:3-4). Humility is the water used to put out conflict. If we are submitting to God and His will and thinking about the other people involved in conflict, that fire will be put out. Think about conflict within the Church. How many times do we end up fighting over how things should be done (in matters of opinion and expediency) because we are so focused on what we think is best or what we want, rather than thinking about the congregation? “When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom” (Pro. 11:2).
Conflict is something that we must deal with in our lives. It is like a fire, and what we choose to put on that fire can be the difference between putting it out, or helping it grow. Brother or sister, if you find yourself wrapped up in conflict, you have a choice to make. Follow the wisdom given by James through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and choose humility. While in doing so, you give up your ability to exalt yourself, but you allow God to do it instead. “Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you” (Jas. 4:10).