“The Spirit Who Dwells In Us Yearns Jealously”

by Pastor Mark
April 25, 2024

 

The Spirit of God

There is only one mention of the Holy Spirit in the epistle of James. The Apostle James wrote, “Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”?” (James 4:5) It did not mean the Spirit of God is less important. On the contrary, many things James taught involve the work of the Holy Spirit, such as cultivating faith, prayer and showing love. However, James had to address many problems. It was because the Spirit of God was not leading the brethren. They were not filled with the Holy Spirit, and therefore, they were plagued by numerous sins. James had to address them one by one.

The work of the Spirit of God

“Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”?” (James 4:5)

  1. The Holy Spirit dwelling in us

    1. When we receive Christ, the Holy Spirit will also dwell in us.
    2. The Lord Jesus taught this truth to His disciples (John 14:17).
      “The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”
    3. The Apostle Paul also taught this wonderful truth (Romans 8:9).
      “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.”

  2. The Spirit yearns jealously

    1. The LORD is described as a jealous God (Deuteronomy 4:24).
    2. The Spirit of God similarly yearns jealously…to work in the lives of the brethren.
    3. This is positive jealousy.
    4. But this implies that the Spirit was not working in the lives of the brethren.
    5. The indwelling of the Spirit is only a starting point and does not ensure that He will continue to work in our lives.

When the Spirit is not working in us

  1. Without the Holy Spirit filling their lives, the brethren were faced with many problems.
  2. There were conflicts, wars and fights among them (James 4:1).
  3. These issues were due to the deeper desires of pleasures that warred within them (James 4:1).
  4. Without the Spirit, the brethren lusted, coveted and murdered for worldly things (James 4:2).
  5. There was prayerlessness. Even when they did pray, they prayed amiss (James 4:2–3).
  6. Without the Spirit’s leading, the brethren fell into sin, transgression and iniquity (James 4:4).
  7. They developed a friendship with the world and became enemies of God (James 4:4).

When the Spirit is working in us

  1. The Holy Spirit seeks to do a cleansing work in us…to deal with our sins.
  2. He helps us to fight the wrong desires and to cultivate the right desires.
  3. He endeavours to make us godly and not worldly.
  4. The Spirit seeks to deepen our friendship with the Lord and to be enemies with the world.
  5. He prevents conflicts in the church and maintains its peace.
  6. He keeps the brethren from falling into bad relationships.

Let us be challenged to appreciate the vital work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Without His involvement, we would be faced with many problems. Let us be challenged to seek the leading of the Holy Spirit, who yearns jealously to help us in our life and ministry.

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