James Chapter 4

This seems like a fairly straight forward chapter in terms of the theology, but one that is ultimately hard to put into practice because of its abstractness. For instance, verses 7 and 8 simply say, "Submit yourself to God. Resist the Devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." That's some of the simplest stuff I've read in the Bible. Like duh. The question then arises of how does one "submit to God/draw near to God" or "resist the Devil". See? These things that seem easy and straightforward on the surface are ultimately complicated. Thankfully, James offers us a good first step on how to accomplish this: avoid worldliness. Do not get caught up in the trappings of the material world or the things that do not matter in light of eternity. To do so means to be constantly reflecting on your surroundings and constantly considering how what you are looking at or doing matters. If it doesn't, then stop or turn away from it. For our temptation by the Devil springs from our desire to be of the world. To be the best or the strongest or the richest, things that don't matter after life but things we think matter in our life. Mastering these desires surmounts to shutting the door in the Devil's face. Is this something easy to do? You tell me.