Why Can't We Be Friends? (James 4:1-10 | Isaiah 25:8-9)

Being a friend of God means unfriending the world by living a humble life of repenting and lamenting.

1. Befriending the World (4:1-5)
   
   Passions at War (4:1-3; cf. Ephesians 6:12; 1 Peter 2:11; Luke 8:14; Matthew 5:21–22)
   Adulterous Friendship (4:4-5; cf. Isaiah 54:5; 1 John 2:15-17; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Exodus 20:5)
   

2. Befriending the Lord (4:6-10)
   
   Repenting (4:6-8; cf. Proverbs 3:34; Luke 4:13; Zechariah 1:3; James 1:17)
   Lamenting (4:9-10; cf. James 5:1; Luke 6:25)
   You Got a Friend in Me (John 16:20; Luke 6:21; Isaiah 25:8–9)
   A Meal Between Friends

Discussion Starters

Monday — Why are fights and quarrels so contrary to the Gospel? Discuss the origin of these communal conflicts and arguments? 

Tuesday — What are the “passions at war” that James is talking about? James calls people who are motivated by their self-interests as “adulterous,” do you think that’s too harsh? Why or why not?

Wednesday — What is friendship with the world? Is it possible to be a friend of the Lord and also a friend of the world? If so, why? Compare and contrast Abraham’s friendship with God and those who have befriended the world. 

Thursday — How is it good news that God “yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? What does that say about Him? 

Friday — What must we do to befriend the Lord? What does it look like to humble ourselves before Him?