Hey guys, so I was reading James and came across this scripture in James 4:4 saying "Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God". After reading this it really got me thinking about what this really meant. At first I thought I was an enemy of God just because I am friends to people who aren't Christian or do not believe in our Savior, then I decided that I don't think that's what the passage meant. So then my next thought was that being a friend of the World meant conforming to beliefs of the world and sinning against ourselves and others, and not repenting against it, causing us to be enemies of God and I'm not sure if thats what it is saying. Anyone Help?

Hey guys, so I was reading James and came across this scripture in James 4:4 saying "Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God". After reading this it really got me thinking about what this really meant. At first I thought I was an enemy of God just because I am friends to people who aren't Christian or do not believe in our Savior, then I decided that I don't think that's what the passage meant. So then my next thought was that being a friend of the World meant conforming to beliefs of the world and sinning against ourselves and others, and not repenting against it, causing us to be enemies of God and I'm not sure if thats what it is saying. Anyone Help?

I believe it means that pursuing worldly things and following worldly values make you an enemy of God. We are to witness to anyone and everyone!

actually i've been over this before and believe you hit it right on

Hey guys, so I was reading James and came across this scripture in James 4:4 saying "Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God". After reading this it really got me thinking about what this really meant. At first I thought I was an enemy of God just because I am friends to people who aren't Christian or do not believe in our Savior, then I decided that I don't think that's what the passage meant. So then my next thought was that being a friend of the World meant conforming to beliefs of the world and sinning against ourselves and others, and not repenting against it, causing us to be enemies of God and I'm not sure if thats what it is saying. Anyone Help?

Hi dbrace-

I believe you've got some good understanding there. There are all kinds of ways that the world and worldly christians do not want to obey the truth that Jesus gave us in the gospel.

Forget attacks from the devil-the first and strongest attacks we face are from people who say they are christians and then don't faithfully, simply and plainly do what He said. They want to tweak what He said so that it fits in comfortably with what the world says. But not a single thing He said will ever get along with what the world says or "the way the world works."

It seems money is always the first pitfall. He said not to worry about what we will eat, drink or wear but then entire sermons are preached on how to invest our money to make it grow.

The Exodus is a good thing to read concerning what Jesus said about money and provision because God has never changed in this. The Israelites failed the test big time. God wanted them to trust Him and rely on Him for their provision every single day. But they didn't want to rely on Him so they disobeyed when He told them to collect only enough manna for the day. They wanted to stockpile because they did not trust Him to provide every day.

You either believe and trust with all your heart and do not worry about what you will eat (manna came from the sky), drink(water came from a rock!), and wear (sandals that didn't wear out for 40 years) -or you do not.

Worldly christians will use all kinds of verses to convince you that Jesus did not mean exactly what He said. When they do this, they are usually wanting to make a defense for why they do not obey Him concerning worrying about money.

Jesus spoke quite plainly about this and if we obey Him in a little, more understanding and deeper sight will be given us but if we are not faithful when He has told us about a worldly thing like money, why would He tell us of spiritual things?

You're getting a lot of good answers here!

"Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”?"

Interesting word picture here...Keep in mind that James was writing to Jewish believers, and he is here using an idiom that would be understood instantly by those to whom he wrote.

In the OT, unfaithful Israel was spoken of as a "Harlot"...as having committed "adultery"...and these both speak to a "spiritual adultery" as it were.

As has been pointed out, the world offers many temptations in the area of "spiritual adultery": Career, Money, Relationships...the list is almost endless...

And here James speaks of anything that we place in front of God; or want more than God as adultery.

To help get a clearer picture, you can cross reference this with Romans 12:1-2

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (emphasis mine)

So friendship with the world then, is not merely in the manner of a passing acquaintance...but in the manner of a "wanton seducer" to whom you wholeheartedly devote your time and attention.

Though we are in the world...yet we are not of the world.

Hope that makes sense to you. ;)

Thanks for all the replies. My next question would be, is that a good friend of mine is also a Christian and a devote one at that. Lately thought, along with trying to focus on the Lord, she has been focusing on friends and family. Now I cannot tell you how much time she spends on either but my question is, is that is she sinning and not getting closer to God because she is also focused on being with her friends and family?

Why would you think spending time with her freinds and family would be sinning dbrace?

I think what he's trying to say is, lets say someone focuses more on friends that are more "Conforming to the World" and would rather spend time with them than say read scripture our try and listen to Him. Would that be a sin? Is that what your trying to say dbrace?

I don't know...maybe that's what he meant.......but he said he had no idea how much time she spent on either...guess we'll wait to see if he answers.

Thank you,,dbrace, for your post...and thanks to the others for your answers to him..You couldn't have known this, but , this gave me some answers for some things I have struggled with lately..I have a situation where I've been trying to decide whether I made the right decision to walk away from a friend of several years..as a Christian, I believe that I have made the right decision..Living in this world gets so complicated...wanting to share God's love with others, but knowing when their influence has become a very bad thing in one's life..So, thanks again for these posts..they have been very helpful to me..

Jesus went among the sinners, which is what we should do; however, if being among them causes us to sin, then we need to rethink that friendship.
Show Christ to them, but do not allow yourselves to be changed. Also, do not allow that relationship keep your from sowing seed in other areas that may bear fruit.
They should see Christ in you and want Christ for themselves.

Jesus went among the sinners, which is what we should do; however, if being among them causes us to sin, then we need to rethink that friendship.
Show Christ to them, but do not allow yourselves to be changed. Also, do not allow that relationship keep your from sowing seed in other areas that may bear fruit.
They should see Christ in you and want Christ for themselves.

I agree. Just to piggy back on your comments :)

1 Cor 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners (KJV)

1 Cor 15:33 Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." (NIV)

Thats what I meant by Lordleadme89's post. I was just wondering not only her but everyone INCLUDING myself, if we focus too much on friends and family and not enough on God, like hanging out and not talking about God with people rather than reading the Bible, would this cause us to sin?

Gosh, I don't know dbrace. I've never worried too much about other people making me sin. I just make sure to keep going to God and listening when He shows me the sins in my heart. I honestly don't worry too much about outward sins because He hasn't really dealt with me in anything but my inside....sorry, I can't answer you about that.