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7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. ---James 4:7-10 NLT “ How can you come close to God? James gives five ways: (1) “Humble yourselves before God” (4:7). Yield to his authority and will, commit your life to him and his control, and be willing to follow him. (2)”Resist the devil” (4:7). Don’t allow Satan to entice and tempt you. (3) “Wash your hands...and purify your hearts” (that is, lead a pure life). Be cleansed from sin, replacing your desire to sin with your desire to experience God’s purity. (4) “Let there be sorrow and deep grief” for your sins (4:9). Don’t be afraid to express deep heartfelt sorrow for what you have done. (5) “Humble yourselves before the Lord,” and he will lift you up in honor (4:10; 1 Peter 5:6). Bowing in humility before the Lord means recognizing that our worth comes from God alone. To be humble involves leaning on his power and his guidance, and not going our own independent way. Although we do not deserve God’s favor, he wants to lift us up and give us worth and dignity, despite our human shortcomings. --- Life Application Study Bible notes