Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. – James 4:8

The Christian walk does not offer the option of sitting on the fence. One either has a God-centered life or flits back and forth between the love for Him and the love of self and what the world offers – a double-mindedness that undermines a relationship with the Lord. The Word of God states, “Friendship with the world is enmity with God” (James 4:4).

The apostle James writes of the wisdom from above and urges his readers to purify their hearts from worldliness. He describes the conduct of wisdom as pure, full of mercy, peaceable, gentle, and sincere, contrasting it with the world’s unspiritual and demonic attitude, marked by jealousy and selfish ambition that lead to disorder and quarreling (James 3:14-4:3).

Sin is serious business, which James says to mourn and weep over. In a matter of four verses (James 4:7-10), the apostle gives ten imperatives to the believer for a life lived close to God. These include voluntary submission and obedience to the Lord, drawing near to Him in prayer and supplication, being conscious and mindful of your sin, and being humble before God and man.

Bible commentator Edgar Gibson said, “Scripture sets its face against compromise in matters of principle.” Pray that those in positions of authority in this nation recognize their need for the Lord and turn to Him. Seek to build that precious fellowship with God in your life each day. Set your face toward things above and love Him. He is ready and willing to provide all you will ever need.