What does he mean that he yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us?
James 4:5
ESV - 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"?
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Asked November 19 2013
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Valrie Holness
Supporter
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Albert Perkic
Supporter
To understand the text in James 4:5 which says "Or do you think that the scripture says in vain, The spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously?" You have to read the whole paragraph. In verse 4 James is saying that if we have friendship with the world we are adulterers and adulteresses and we make ourselves an enemy with God. How do we become adulterers? Verse 2 tells us: 'You lust and do not have. You murder (or hate) and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war... When we give in to these thoughts and entertain them we pollute our minds and hearts. You see the Holy Spirit is grieved when we have these thoughts and feelings. "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour (shouting) and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice (desire to injure)" Ephesians 4:29-31 The word yearns means 'to desire greatly' or 'to crave'. The Holy Spirit doesn't want to leave us, but craves our companionship. But He will only stay when He doesn't have to compete with the world. Doesn't that sound like a relationship or partnership?
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