PRAYERS
James 4.1-3These verses reveal the source of confusion among some Christians who ask a question, 'Why we do not receive from GOD that we ask?" James gives a perfect answer to that question, "because you ask with wrong motives." Or because you do not deserve it, that could be another answer. We like spoiled children who ask to buy them things they want, but as their parents we are not always have pleasure in them for their behavior when they do not listen to us and do not obey us, and for this reason we resistant to buy them things what they ask from us, things they do not deserve.
The same relationship is between GOD and us. We ask GOD for many things and expect receive them, but we ourselves do not do what the Lord ask from us, and because of it we do not receive that we ask from Him.
~ See parallel theme; Doers of the Law and not the listeners are justified by GOD: (Ezekiel 33.31-32) (Matthew 7.21.24-27, 15.7-9) (Mark 7.6-7-13) (Luke 6.46-49) (Romans 2.13) (James 1.22-25).
First, we have to obey the Lord in everything He required from us and follow all His Conditions, Commandments, and Statutes, and only then we shall expect to receive from Him our wishes with faith and patience.
FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WORLD
James 4.4Precisely and to the point James explained the life in this world. What it means "friendship with the world?" It means that if we live in this world according to the rules and the ways of this godless world, consume by it, and at the same time worship GOD, we are no longer friends with GOD, but we are friends with this world.
We cannot serve GOD and this world at the same time. See; serving two masters: (Matthew 6.24) (Luke 16.13) (Romans 6.16) (2Peter 2.19) (1John 5.4).
This also very well relates to the verses above (1-3) and also explain the reason why we do not receive from GOD what we ask from Him.
GOD IS JEALOUS GOD.
James 4.5
5. Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: 'He jealousy desires, the spirit which He has made to dwell in us?' (KSB) (1Corinthians 3.16-17, 6.19) (2Corinthians 6.16) (James 4.5).
~ 5. "Do ye think that the Scripture saith in vain, the spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy." KJV
"Or do you suppose that it is for nothing the the Scripture says, "GOD yearns jealousy for the spirit that he has made to dwell in us?" NRSV
"Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealousy longs to the spirit he has caused to dwell in us?" NIV
"Or do you suppose it is to no purpose the the Scripture says, "He yearns jealousy over the spirit that He made to dwell in us." ESV
"Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealousy?" Gideons
"Don't think that there is no truth in the Scripture that says, "The spirit that GOD placed in us filled with fierce desires," GNB
~ 5. "The most natural interpretation of this difficult verse is not to interpret the word "Spirit" as referring to the Holy Spirit (as it done here), but to the fallen spirit which is responsible for man's propensity to sin. The fallen spirit in man yearns (epipothei, 1971) toward envy. The envy manifests itself in selfishness and malevolence. See editors book, The labor of Love."
KSB, Spiros Zodhiates.
~ 5. GOD is Jealous GOD. The spirit of Jealousy: (Exodus 20.5, 34.14) (Leviticus 26.1) (Deuteronomy 4.24, 5.9, 6.15).
Today, just like it has been in the past, many churches preach liberalism and tolerance to this world and to other religions, and some Christians do not mind to mingle even with the idol-worshipers, and call it as cultural tolerance acceptance and as diversity in religion, which is in actuality truly betrayal of Christian principals and ideals and betrayal of our Lord Jesus Christ and His GOD Father Who does not tolerate any other gods and their religions.
This is why we have absence of the Holy Spirit in us. GOD never accept, tolerate, or acknowledge any of these numerous false religions and non-existing gods. GOD declared about Himself that He is Jealous GOD, Jealous for His Holy Being and his Holy Name, and everyone who worship other gods or a friend with them or tolerate them is abominable to GOD. GOD would not give His Great Glory to other gods, because He is only One Living all Mighty GOD, and His is Supreme. No other gods exist beside Him.
DOUBLE-MINDED
(Luke 9.62) (Ephesians 3.13) (Hebrews 10.38, 12.3) (James 1.6.8, 4.8) (Psalm 119.113) (Ecclesiast 5.4).James 4.8
This verse also related to comments above and also give a clue why we do not receive what we ask from the Lord. It is because many of us are Double-Minded. It means unstable, shaky, unreliable, and unsteady in our faith and dedication to GOD. We are easy falling to the trap of greed, lies, and deceit, and then we praying to GOD to be merciful to us and bless us with His gifts, He is not listening. So, what we can do?
James provided the answer for this question in verse 7. "Submit therefore to GOD, resist the Devil and he will flee from you." It is not easy, but it is necessary, otherwise we will perish with the rest of this world. Remember, we cannot serve two Masters and there is no middle ground between GOD and Devil.
For this reason, Christ said:
"He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me, scatters." (Matthew 12.30) (Luke 11.23).