Word
of God
Man
does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth from
the mouth of God
Matthew
4:4
The
Epistle of James 4:4
(Study
notes by Matthew Henry Edited/Prefaced by Doktor Riktor Von Zhades)
4
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the amity of the
world is the enmity of God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of
the world, maketh himself the enemy of God.
Brethren:
It
is suggested also that one meditate upon 1 John 2:15 and Matthew
6:24. Friends, we cannot serve two masters. Either we seek the carnal
things of this world in order to satisfy the flesh or we seek the
things from above to satisfy the spirit, but we cannot serve both.
Henceforth let us seek the latter, knowing that we serve God. - Dr.
R.V.Z
“Worldly
people are here called adulterers and adulteresses, because of their
perfidiousness of God, while they give their best affections to the
world. Covetousness is elsewhere called idolatry, and it is here
called adultery; it is a forsaking of him to whom we are devoted and
espoused, to cleave to other things; there is this brand put upon
worldly-mindedness—that it is enmity to God. A man may have a
competent portion of the good things of this life, and yet may keep
himself in the love of God; but he who sets his heart upon the world,
who places his happiness in it, and will conform himself to it, and
do any thing rather than lose its friendship, he is an enemy to God;
it is constructive treason and rebellion against God to set the world
upon his throne in our hearts. Whosoever therefore is the friend of
the world is the enemy of God. He who will act upon this principle,
to keep the smiles of the world, and to have its continual
friendship, cannot but show himself, in spirit, and in his actions
too, an enemy to God. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Hence
arise wars and fightings, even from this adulterous idolatrous love
of the world, and serving of it; for what peace can there be among
men, so long as there is enmity towards God? Or who can fight against
God, and prosper? Think seriously with yourselves what the spirit of
the world is, and you will find that you cannot suit yourselves to it
as friends, but it must occasion your being envious, and full of evil
inclinations, as the generality of the world are.”
Matthew
Henry - 17th Century Theologian
“Ye
adulterers and adulteresses - Who have broken your faith with God,
your rightful spouse. Know ye not that the friendship or love of the
world - The desire of the flesh, the desire of the eye, and the pride
of life, or courting the favour of worldly men, is enmity against
God? Whosoever desireth to be a friend of the world - Whosoever seeks
either the happiness or favour of it, does thereby constitute himself
an enemy of God; and can he expect to obtain anything of him?” -
John Wesley - 18th Century Theologian
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