July 1, 2026

Taylor Abaroa
"What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don't they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don't have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can't get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don't get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure."
James 4:1-3
"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor."
James 4:10

There is the word again— desires. This time, written in Greek, meaning “to long for.”

One of my favorite things about children is their honesty. “I want that house.” “I wish I had those shoes. “That’s not fair— I had it first!” “I want that right now!” Kids often say aloud what adults think quietly. Adults don’t stop wanting; we learn to hide it better.

James, the author of the book of James, is writing to Jewish Christians scattered throughout the Roman Empire. In Chapter 4, verses 1-3, James is instructing the people about their actions as believers. It shouldn’t be surprising that “evil desires“ and “motives“ inside of us are a root of dysfunction with others. Even toddlers covet their friend’s shoes.

Thankfully, James also instructs believers a few verses later how to live differently. “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.“ I wonder what desire God is bringing to mind for you to humbly surrender before the Lord.

God, we surrender our desires to you. We choose humility.