James 4:2 Explained in Context

Verse 1. ¹ From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

Verse 2. ² Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

Verse 3. ³ Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Verse 4. ⁴ Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Verse 5. ⁵ Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

Verse 6. ⁶ But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Verse 7. ⁷ Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Verse 8. ⁸ Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Verse 9. ⁹ Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

Verse 10. ¹⁰ Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.