Ye Fight, And War, Yet Ye Have Not

Key Scriptures Highlighted

• James 4:1-3
  “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.”
  This passage forms the backbone of the teaching about the origin of conflict and the nature of prayer in accordance with God’s will.

• James 3:1-2
  “My brethren, be not many masters… For in many things we offend all… If a man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man.”
  Used to stress the power of words in provoking strife and the importance of self-control.

• Matthew 6:8 (implied)
  Jesus teaches that God knows our needs before we ask, underscoring the importance of faith and sincerity in prayer.

• 1 Peter 4:14
  “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you… for the Lord’s sake.”
  Encouragement for believers to endure persecution like Christ did without retaliating.

Major Takeaways

1. The Root of Conflict Is Selfish Desire (Lust)

• The message reveals that many conflicts—whether between individuals, families, or nations—stem from lustful desires to have one’s way. These desires are often hidden behind arguments and fights but fundamentally point back to selfishness.
• Understanding this allows believers to step back from disputes, recognizing that the battle is often about pride and control rather than truth or righteousness.

2. Practicing Humility and Self-Restraint in Disagreements

• Instead of fighting every battle, Christians are called to humility, to “back away” when necessary, and to let others vent—even at personal cost—relying on God to handle justice.
• This posture reflects Jesus’ example, who never used His divine power to fight back but instead bore insults and persecution with grace.
• True spiritual maturity involves controlling one’s tongue and not responding in anger or pride.

3. The Importance of Asking God with Right Motives

• God does not answer prayers that are rooted in selfish motives intended to glorify self or consume blessings for lustful purposes.
• Believers must examine their motives and pray in faith aligned with God’s truth, seeking His glory rather than personal gain.
• Requests made “amiss” lead to unmet prayers because God desires to bless according to His righteous plan, not human vanity.

4. The Danger of Worldly Ideologies and Peer Pressure

• The message warns against conforming to the world’s ideology about success, appearance, and wealth, which can cloud spiritual integrity.
• True faith focuses on obedience, stewardship, and serving God’s mission rather than seeking status, materialism, or validation through possessions.
• The speaker illustrates this with personal testimony about prioritizing God’s work over outward appearance.

5. The Urgency of Repentance and Spiritual Readiness

• The concluding appeal reminds believers of the reality of judgment and the eternal consequences of living apart from God.
• Repentance, turning from sin, and preparing for Christ’s return is urgent and necessary because salvation and deliverance come from God alone.
• The blessed reward in heaven awaits those who endure persecution faithfully and walk according to God’s principles.