Where Do Quarrels, Contentions, and Problems Arise Between Believers?
According to God, they originate from the lusts within our members.
James 4:1–3 (KJB)
From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
(Explanation: in order that you may spend it on your pleasures.)
It appears that the origin point in our lives which causes wars and fighting between us and others is selfishness:
“I want.” “I feel.” “I think we should.” “I desire.” “I don’t want to.” “I…”
Word Study and Meaning
Lusts (แผกδονแฟถν / hฤdonลn):
“Pleasures,” “delights,” “sensual enjoyments,” or “gratifications.”
This word refers to the pursuit of physical or sensual pleasure, often contrasted with spiritual or moral restraint.
War in your members (στρατευομฮญνων / strateuomenลn):
“To make war,” “to engage in a campaign,” “to wage warfare.”
Figuratively, it describes the inner conflict between spiritual life and fleshly appetite — the passions personified as combatants fighting to control the believer.
According to Scripture, when we don’t get what we want — when our lusts demand to be satisfied — we begin a war campaign against others in our dealings with them.
Consume it upon your lusts (δαπανฮฌω / dapanáล):
“To spend,” “to expend,” “to consume,” or “to waste.”
Here, it refers to spending or using resources (money, time, or effort) in a self-indulgent way — using blessings or requests from God for personal gratification rather than His glory.
The Spiritual Diagnosis
As I studied these words, I was reminded again of:
Galatians 5:17 (KJB)
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
This constant tension between the flesh and the Spirit reveals that believers can begin fighting against one another when their prayers go unanswered and their selfish desires remain unmet.
How wretched we can become when we resist the Holy Spirit’s governing power and correction within our hearts!
God makes it clear: the number one cause of problems, strife, envy, contention, backbiting, and fighting among believers stems from unsatisfied lusts within the individual.
This truth applies to:
- Marriages
- Church members and leaders
- Children and parents
When we fail to surrender, submit, and yield our lusts and desires to Christ through prayer, we begin to treat others with the very attitudes described in James 4.
God identifies these desires as 100% selfish, self-serving, and self-pleasing — pursued only for personal satisfaction. And in the end, He reveals that these lusts are ultimately a waste of time.
How often do we desire things that consume our talents, energy, money, or time — only to find that they lead us away from God’s will?
When we lean on our own understanding and refuse to acknowledge Him in all our ways, we drift from His love and peace. We can reach the point where we no longer care what it costs to obtain those desires — even if it hurts others — only to learn that it was all vanity in God’s eyes.
The Solution: Love
So, what is the solution to prevent wars, fights, and contentions among believers?
Love.
When we return to sober thinking after moments of anger or pride — when we remember that God alone is our source of peace, satisfaction, and blessing — only then can we surrender those lusts to Christ through prayer.
His Spirit can guide our next steps and enable us to remain in love toward those around us.
When we remind our old nature that God is enough for our satisfaction, goals, and needs, we can win the daily battles that rage within. Remember what God told Abraham long ago, that He is the reward of life!
Genesis 15:1 (KJB)
After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
The Prevention
2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJB)
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
The Commanded Solution
James 2:8 (KJB)
If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well.
Final Exhortation
So, dear Christian friend, let us not fight against one another when we don’t get our way. Instead, let us fight the good fight of faith — resisting sin’s deception, the devil’s influence, and anything else that seeks to steal our hearts from the love of God and our love for our neighbor.
With love, Brother Carlos โ๏ธ
