CHOOSING SIDES

I’m going to deliberately choose to be on God’s side.

(James 4:4-10) You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit He caused to live in us envies intensely? But He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.

What does it mean to choose sides?

· No longer being passive, complacent or non-committal.

· Devoting myself and my resources to supporting only one side.

1. Redefine The Sides

A. God is on one side – and the world is on the other.

(4) You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

B. God determines who is on His side – and who is not.

(4) You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

C. God gives the grace that’s needed to return to His side.

(6) But He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

2. Return To God

A. Submit yourselves (7).

B. Come near to God (8).

C. Wash your hands (8).

D. Purify your hearts (8).

3. Resist The Devil

(7) Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

A. I will resist the devil, even when it’s difficult.

B. I will resist the devil – by standing my ground against him.

(1 Peter 5:8) Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.