In this case you need to read all of chapter 5 to perceive the context of what it is saying. Do what it says in verse 7-8.
You're being drawn away from God, by spirits (little s always means, demons)
This demons name is 'envy'.
The Holy Spirit is always capitalized: such as the Spirit, Spirit of Jesus.
The chapter is saying that when we let our guard down, even just a little, being friendly with worldly things, attitudes, people; we are at enmity with God. We are becoming His enemy.
Satan and his demons are invisible spirits, but we can see their FRUIT in situations or people also under their influence. Demons study us intently to tempt in areas of us, that are weak. Temptations come in by way of the eye gate, the ear gate, and mouth.
If you ask The Holy Spirit to teach you, He will. That's one of the things He's in charge of.
Now I want to ask you if you have received Jesus as your Savior and Lord? It helps us to begin a relationship that will eventually be so important to you; you will never consider losing it: if we are happy telling others how we became born again. It's called a personal Testimony.
Get a King James Bible that has the center column on each page. The alphabet letters or numbers give much additional information about a chapter you are reading. I will be happy to see you here often.
David, this is a good question that you have brought to our notice, as it can be misunderstood easily. The word that brings us confusion is the word "lusteth", as this is often thought of in a negative, sinful manner. But in English, we know that there are words that have more than one meaning/application, & this word is one of them. For example, the word 'wench', is usually understood as a morally loose woman. But the other meaning is simply, that of a 'young girl'. Also, 'intercourse', can be both verbal & sexual in nature. So when reading, 'lusteth', the context in use is of 'greatly desiring or being jealous over' & not in terms of a sinful craving.
So, Js 4:5 does speak of the Holy Spirit, but in context with the Scripture around it, it would read like this: "the Holy Spirit Who indwells us, longs for us (or is jealous over us) to pursue a lifestyle that doesn't compromise the relationship (& intimate friendship) that we have with God". This verse refers directly to v 4, where some Christians were being unfaithful to God by seeking out the world's sinful delights as well as claiming to love God. And this union can never God-honouring & a trait of the true believer ( 1 Jn 2:15). But even in our weakness in this area, we are reminded that "God giveth us more grace to overcome; to the humble but not to the haughty" (v 6).
Yet, in v 5, we are not privy to "the Scripture" which James alludes to in this connection. He may have learned this from some other writing or letter not given to us in the canon of Scripture.
and how "lusteth to envy" is to be interpreted?
You're being drawn away from God, by spirits (little s always means, demons)
This demons name is 'envy'.
The Holy Spirit is always capitalized: such as the Spirit, Spirit of Jesus.
The chapter is saying that when we let our guard down, even just a little, being friendly with worldly things, attitudes, people; we are at enmity with God. We are becoming His enemy.
Satan and his demons are invisible spirits, but we can see their FRUIT in situations or people also under their influence. Demons study us intently to tempt in areas of us, that are weak. Temptations come in by way of the eye gate, the ear gate, and mouth.
If you ask The Holy Spirit to teach you, He will. That's one of the things He's in charge of.
Now I want to ask you if you have received Jesus as your Savior and Lord? It helps us to begin a relationship that will eventually be so important to you; you will never consider losing it: if we are happy telling others how we became born again. It's called a personal Testimony.
Get a King James Bible that has the center column on each page. The alphabet letters or numbers give much additional information about a chapter you are reading. I will be happy to see you here often.
So, Js 4:5 does speak of the Holy Spirit, but in context with the Scripture around it, it would read like this: "the Holy Spirit Who indwells us, longs for us (or is jealous over us) to pursue a lifestyle that doesn't compromise the relationship (& intimate friendship) that we have with God". This verse refers directly to v 4, where some Christians were being unfaithful to God by seeking out the world's sinful delights as well as claiming to love God. And this union can never God-honouring & a trait of the true believer ( 1 Jn 2:15). But even in our weakness in this area, we are reminded that "God giveth us more grace to overcome; to the humble but not to the haughty" (v 6).
Yet, in v 5, we are not privy to "the Scripture" which James alludes to in this connection. He may have learned this from some other writing or letter not given to us in the canon of Scripture.
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