Submit to God

For the week of November 16-22, 2025

FREE PREVIEW: James 4:1-17 - Submit to God

This is a condensed preview of this week's full Bible study lesson, available exclusively to paid subscribers.

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Introduction

Conflict is everywhere—in families, churches, workplaces, and nations. We see people fighting over money, recognition, power, and countless other things. But James reveals that the real source of these conflicts isn't external circumstances—it's internal desires that have gone wrong.

The solution to life's conflicts isn't better negotiation skills or clearer communication, though those can help. The solution is submission to God, which transforms our desires and relationships from the inside out.

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I. CONFLICT Comes from Wrong Desires

Where do wars and fightings among you come from? Don't they come from your pleasures that war in your members? (James 4:1).

James traces all human conflict to its source—selfish desires that battle within us. When we want things we can't have, or when our desires conflict with others' desires, fights inevitably result.

II. CLOSENESS to God Through Submission

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you (James 4:7-8).

The solution to conflict isn't getting what we want but surrendering our wants to God. When we submit to Him, resist evil, and draw close to Him, we find the peace that comes from aligned priorities.

III. CAUTION in Judging and Planning

Don't speak against one another, brothers. He who speaks against a brother and judges his brother, speaks against the law, and judges the law (James 4:11).

Submission to God affects how we treat others and how we make plans. We become more humble in our judgments and more dependent on God in our planning.

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