Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. — James 4:4
Most people have many moments in their lives that they will never forget. For many people, one of those days is September 11, 2001. Over the past few years, I’ve caught myself watching documentaries and personal stories about those who were involved in the events of those days. But there was a statement in one of those documentaries that I watched recently that caught my attention.
President Bush was speaking after the attacks, and he was rallying support from various world leaders. I recall his actions and many of his statements, but in this instance, it shared a comment of his that I had forgotten about. As he addressed world leaders, he made the statement, “You’re either with us or against us in the fight against terror.”
That statement set the stage for what was to come. Nations would have to choose. You were either on the side of the terrorists or the side of those who would fight against it and for freedom. Each group would have to choose their side. But it was clear that if you were not with us, you were the enemy.
In reflection, I remembered the words here in James 4:4. This isn’t a warning to Christians, but instead a warning to all. If you are living your life desiring the things of this world, that’s the exact opposite of what God would want. To love this world’s pleasures prevents us from loving God as we should.
God wants us to live our lives set apart and different from the world. He wants us to desire Him, not what the world has to offer. Is that how we are living our lives, or are we in love with the things of the world? Are we the enemy that was being warned about?
Today is a great day to examine our lives. What are we focused on? What are the desires of our hearts? If God is first in our lives, everything else will fall into its proper place.
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