The verse in question, James 4:4, states: “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” This is a profoundly important verse that cuts to the heart of what it means to follow Christ. In this article, we will explore the meaning of this verse in depth.
1. Defining “Friendship with the World”
First, we must understand what is meant by “friendship with the world.” The “world” in Scripture refers to the fallen, sinful system of values, priorities, and pursuits that stands in opposition to God’s kingdom. This would include things like:
- Greed and materialism
- Sexual immorality
- Idolatry and false religion
- Pride and self-centeredness
- Power, fame, pleasure seeking
To have “friendship” with the world means to embrace its values, priorities, and pursuits. It means allowing one’s thinking to be shaped by the world instead of by God’s Word. It means pursuing earthly pleasures, possessions, and prestige rather than pursuing a relationship with God. In short, friendship with the world means living as though this world is all there is instead of living for eternity.
2. Friendship with the World is Opposed to Friendship with God
James tells us very directly that friendship with the world equates to “enmity with God.” To be a friend of the world makes you “an enemy of God.” There is no middle ground here – you cannot be both a friend of the world and a friend of God at the same time. At best, you can have one foot in the world and one foot in God’s kingdom – but Scripture tells us this is an untenable position (Revelation 3:16).
Why is this the case? Because God is diametrically opposed to the sinful values and priorities of this fallen world system. He is seeking to establish His righteous kingdom in opposition to the corrupt kingdoms of this world. As James tells us earlier:
“Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” (James 4:4 ESV)
God calls us out of the world to follow Him (John 15:19). He calls us to live by His values, not the world’s values. His priorities – not the world’s priorities – are to govern our lives. We cannot serve two masters who stand in opposition to one another (Matthew 6:24). Either we will hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. There is no middle ground when it comes to friendship with God versus friendship with the world.
3. Examples of Dangerous Friendship with the World
What are some tangible examples of dangerous friendship with the world that can hurt our friendship with God?
- Materialism – Letting earthly possessions, wealth, and status dominate our thinking and priorities instead of pursuing the kingdom of God.
- Secular entertainment – Allowing sinful content in movies, music, video games, etc. to shape our minds and hearts.
- Seeking worldly status – Craving the praise and approval of worldly people instead of the praise of God.
- Sexual immorality – Embracing the world’s skewed perspectives on dating, marriage, gender, and sex instead of God’s perfect design.
- Unwholesome friendships – Having close relationships with people who pull us away from God instead of closer to Him.
- Success at any cost – Being willing to compromise godly principles in order to get ahead in our vocation.
- Worldly philosophies – Uncritically absorbing unbiblical worldviews from our education, culture, or peers.
When we dabble in these areas or embrace worldly perspectives, we open our hearts to being drawn away from close fellowship with God. We start lacking discernment between what honors God and what opposes Him. We become vulnerable to dangerous compromise and falling away from our faith.
4. Practical Steps to Avoid Friendship with the World
How then can Christians practically avoid slipping into dangerous friendship with the world? Here are some biblical tactics:
- Fill your mind with Scripture and godly teaching (Psalm 119:11, Philippians 4:8).
- Pursue close relationships with other believers who can encourage you in your walk with God (Hebrews 10:24-25).
- Stay away from entertainment, relationships, and influences that draw your heart away from Christ (Proverbs 4:14-15).
- Commit each day to seeking first God’s kingdom – not earthly priorities (Matthew 6:33).
- Make choices that align with biblical values, not worldly trends.
- Repent when you fail and seek victory over compromise through the power of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16-17).
- Discern the lies of the world by studying God’s truth and training your mind to think biblically.
Most importantly, cultivate your personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Spend time in prayer and God’s Word daily. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you (James 4:8). A close walk with Christ is the ultimate safeguard against slipping into friendship with the world.
5. Being a Friend of God
Rather than seeking dangerous friendship with the world, God calls us to pursue close friendship with Himself. What does true friendship with God look like? Consider these traits:
- Enjoying sweet fellowship with Christ through prayer, worship, and Bible study.
- Seeking to please and honor God with our thoughts, words, and actions.
- Desiring God’s presence more than anything this world offers.
- Trading earthly pursuits for eternal rewards in Christ.
- Fixing our thoughts on heavenly realities rather than fleshly desires (Colossians 3:2).
- Hungering to know God’s heart through His Word.
- Obeying God’s commands and trusting His ways over our own.
As we pursue intimate friendship with God, He promises to draw near to us as our faithful Friend. What could be better than enjoying close fellowship with the Lord of heaven and earth!
6. Choosing Between Friendship with God and the World
Every believer must make a daily choice whether to draw closer to the world or closer to God. James confronts us with the raw reality: friendship with the world makes us enemies of God. But when we pursue wholehearted friendship with God, we experience the supernatural blessing of His presence and enjoy sweet fellowship with Him.
By the power of His Spirit, God enables His people to resist worldly influences and walk faithfully with Him. Though it is challenging, obeying James 4:4 protects us from slipping into dangerous compromise and losing out on God’s greatest blessings. Following Christ means leaving the world behind – but what we gain is worth far more than anything this world can offer.
The choice is ours. Will we settle for fleeting pleasures and pursuits that lead to death? Or will we embrace friendship with God and find life to the full (John 10:10)? When weighed in light of eternity, the answer is clear. May God give us wisdom and courage to pursue close friendship with Him, forsaking worldly distractions. As we draw near to God, He promises to draw near to us.