James 4:3 Meaning
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
Context Explained
1From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
2Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
3Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
4Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
5Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
Key Themes
Related Cross References
Matthew 7:7
Both verses emphasize the importance of asking in prayer, but James warns against selfish motives.
1 John 5:14
This verse explains that confidence in prayer comes from asking according to God's will.
Philippians 4:6
Both encourage believers to bring their requests to God, highlighting the right attitude in prayer.
Source: James 4:3