As Christians, all too often we attempt to blend in with the culture of the world. We were never meant to blend in, but we were meant to stand out. To be different from the world and be the light in the darkness. We must decide if we are going to be friend or foe to God. That decision comes with benefits or consequences depending on your answer.

In James 4 we see that James is warning people about different things that seek to divide God’s people. In verse 4 James issues a stern rebuke:

• You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

This word adulterous is the word “apostate” in original translation. It is a person who has abandoned and renounces God and their Faith only to become fond of and friendly to the ways of the world. To do this means that you have become hostile and in opposition to and developed hatred toward God.

But you are saying, “I have not abandoned God!” So let’s ask a few questions and see..

• Which way does your decision go when the Word of God does not agree with your personal opinions?
• Are you the “if it feels good, do it” person? Because not all things that feel good are God.
• Do you try to sweep those decisions you knew were wrong, but you did them anyway, under the carpet of your mind?

Verse 5 goes on to ask, Or do you think scripture says without reason that God jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? But He gives us more grace..

God created us in His image with a human spirit that He could touch and communicate with by the Holy Spirit that Jesus gave us when he left this earth. God desires our worship, prayers and obedience. God desires that we follow after Him and not entertain the ways of the world. The ways of this world are “warped and crooked” as we see in Philippians 2:15 where it talks about imitating Christ. Specifically in verses 14 and 15 it talks about our attitude and doing things without grumbling. But the “Why” here is the important part.

Verse 15: So that you may become blameless and pure, “Children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine like the stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life…

We must decide if we are going to be a friend of God or a foe. Unfortunately, many Christians are not consciously making decisions based on God’s Word, but making this decision unconsciously every day with actions and reactions which are ultimately contrary to God.

I want to encourage you with one last thought here. Tony Evans said “It is hard to man up when you cannot stand up.” We must first learn the Word of God so we can stand up. Once we do this, we can then decide to be a Man of God instead of just being another male in this world. I challenge you to begin to make decisions based on God’s Word as you go forward in life.

I hope this has been helpful in some way. As usual, fell free to like, share, comment, retweet, etc..

Stay strong and Be Blessed!

David