Draw Near To God!

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (James 4:8, ESV). This promise from the Book of James stands as a beacon of hope and an invitation to intimacy with the Creator. It’s a call that echoes through the ages, offering believers a pathway to experience God’s presence, grace, and transformative power. But what does it mean to draw near to God? How do we live out this command in a world filled with distractions, pride, and temptation? In this blog post, we’ll explore James 4:6-10 from an evangelical perspective, exegeting the passage, unpacking key words and phrases from the original Greek, and applying its timeless truths to our lives today. All Scripture quotations will be from the English Standard Version (ESV) unless otherwise noted.

James 4:6-10 reads:

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

This passage is a roadmap for spiritual renewal, a call to humility, and a promise of God’s nearness. Let’s break it down verse by verse, exploring its meaning and application.

Context: Strife, Pride, and the Need for Humility

James, the brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem church, wrote this letter to Jewish Christians scattered abroad. His audience was wrestling with internal conflicts—strife, quarrels, and worldly desires (James 4:1-4). They had drifted from God, embracing pride and self-sufficiency instead of dependence on Him. In James 4:6-10, he offers a solution: get right with God through humility and repentance. This isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a series of commands that lead to restoration and intimacy with the Lord.

Verse 6: The Gift of Grace and the Call to Humility

“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’”

Exegesis

The passage opens with a stunning declaration: “But he gives more grace.” The Greek word for “grace” here is charis, meaning unmerited favor or kindness bestowed without regard to merit. This isn’t a one-time gift; the phrase “gives more grace” (meizona charin didōsin) suggests an ongoing, abundant supply. No matter how deep our sin or how far we’ve strayed, God’s grace is greater still. This stands in contrast to the preceding verses, where James rebukes his readers for their friendship with the world (James 4:4). Sin seeks to dominate, but grace overcomes.

James then quotes Proverbs 3:34 from the Septuagint: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” The word “opposes” is antitassetai, from antitassomai, a military term meaning “to set oneself against” or “to array in battle.” God doesn’t merely dislike pride; He actively resists it. Pride—huperephanois in Greek—refers to arrogance, an inflated sense of self that exalts oneself above God. In contrast, “humble” (tapeinois, from tapeinos) denotes lowliness, a posture of dependence on God rather than self-reliance.

Application

Pride is the root of our separation from God. It says, “I can do it on my own; I don’t need You.” But grace flows to the humble—those who recognize their spiritual poverty and cry out to God. Are you struggling with self-sufficiency? Acknowledge your need for Him today. His grace is ready to meet you where you are.

Verse 7: Submission and Resistance

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Exegesis

Because God gives grace to the humble, James issues two imperatives. First, “Submit yourselves” (hupotagēte), from hupotassō, another military term meaning “to rank under” or “to subordinate.” It’s a voluntary act of placing oneself under God’s authority, like a soldier yielding to a commanding officer. Second, “Resist the devil” (antistēte tō diabolō), from anthistēmi, means “to stand against” or “oppose.” Notice the symmetry: God opposes (antitassomai) the proud, and we are to oppose (anthistēmi) the devil.

The promise is striking: “and he will flee from you” (pheuxetai apo hymōn). The devil, though a formidable foe, is not invincible. When we resist him—standing firm in faith and wielding the authority of Christ—he must retreat.

Application

Submission to God is the foundation for victory over Satan. You can’t resist the devil while rebelling against God; the two are inseparable. How do we submit? Through obedience to His Word, prayer, and surrender of our will. And when temptation comes, resist it with Scripture, as Jesus did (Matthew 4:1-11). The devil flees not because of our strength, but because of Christ’s victory on the cross. Are you submitting to God daily? Are you standing against the enemy’s lies?

Verse 8: The Heart of the Promise

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

Exegesis

Here’s the centerpiece: “Draw near to God” (engisate tō theō), from eggizō, means “to approach” or “come close.” In the Septuagint, it’s often used for drawing near to God in worship or sacrifice (e.g., Leviticus 9:5). This is an invitation to intimacy, a call to seek God’s presence intentionally. The promise—“and he will draw near to you” (eggiei hymin)—assures us that God reciprocates. He’s not distant; He longs to be near us.

James follows with practical steps: “Cleanse your hands” (katharisate cheiras) and “purify your hearts” (hagnisate kardias). “Cleanse” refers to outward actions—stop sinning and do what’s right. “Purify” targets the inner life—align your thoughts and motives with God’s will. He addresses “sinners” (hamartōloi), those whose sin is habitual and evident, and “double-minded” (dipsychoi), from dipsuchos, meaning “two-souled.” This describes someone wavering between God and the world, lacking single-minded devotion.

Application

Drawing near to God isn’t passive; it requires action. Worship, prayer, and Scripture reading bring us close to Him, but so does repentance. Examine your hands—your deeds. Are they stained with sin? Confess and turn away. Check your heart—are you divided, chasing both God and worldly pleasures? Pursue Him alone. God meets us as we move toward Him. Have you taken that step today?

Verse 9: Godly Sorrow

“Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.”

Exegesis

This verse sounds severe, but it’s about the seriousness of sin. “Be wretched” (talaipōrēsate), from talaipōreō, means “to be miserable” or “afflicted,” reflecting deep distress over sin. “Mourn” (penthesate) and “weep” (klausate) call for emotional repentance, echoing the prophets’ laments (e.g., Joel 2:12-13). “Let your laughter be turned to mourning” suggests a shift from flippancy to sobriety, recognizing sin’s weight.

This isn’t perpetual misery; it’s godly sorrow that leads to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10). James urges his readers to feel the gravity of their compromise rather than laughing it off.

Application

When was the last time you grieved over your sin? Not out of guilt, but out of love for God? This isn’t about despair; it’s about a heart broken over what breaks His. If conviction stirs you, don’t suppress it—mourn, weep, and let it drive you to the cross. There, sorrow turns to joy.

Verse 10: The Promise of Exaltation

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”

Exegesis

The passage culminates in a command and a promise. “Humble yourselves” (tapeinōthēte), from tapeinoō, means “to make low” or “to lower oneself.” It’s an active choice to bow before God, acknowledging His lordship. “Before the Lord” (enōpion kyriou) emphasizes His presence and authority. The promise—“he will exalt you” (hypsōsei hymas), from hypsoō—means “to lift up” or “elevate.” God honors those who honor Him (1 Samuel 2:30).

This echoes verse 6: humility unlocks grace, and now, exaltation. It’s not self-promotion; it’s God lifting us up in His timing and way.

Application

Humility isn’t weakness; it’s strength under God’s control. Lower yourself before Him—confess pride, surrender ambition, trust His plan. He may exalt you with peace, purpose, or eternal reward. Are you willing to let go and let God lift you?

Applying James 4:6-10 Today

So, how do we live this out? Here are seven practical steps drawn from the text:

Recognize Your Need for Grace
Admit you can’t do it alone. God’s “more grace” is available when you humble yourself (v. 6).

Submit to God
Surrender your will daily. Obey His Word and trust His plan, ranking yourself under His authority (v. 7).

Resist the Devil
Stand firm against temptation with Scripture and prayer. Satan flees when you wield Christ’s victory (v. 7).

Draw Near to God
Pursue intimacy through worship, prayer, and Bible study. God meets you as you approach (v. 8).

Cleanse and Purify
Repent of sinful actions and divided motives. Be wholehearted in your devotion (v. 8).

Embrace Godly Sorrow
Let conviction lead to repentance. Mourn sin, and let it draw you closer to God (v. 9).

Humble Yourself
Bow before the Lord, and trust Him to lift you up—now or in eternity (v. 10)..

The Beauty of the Promise

This passage reveals God’s heart: He wants to be near us. Under the old covenant, sinners were kept at a distance (Exodus 3:5); under the new, the blood of Jesus bridges the gap (Hebrews 10:19-22). When we draw near, God doesn’t just save or forgive—though He does—He draws close in relationship. Charles Spurgeon captures it beautifully: “The nearer we come to God, the more graciously will He reveal Himself to us… When the wandering dove returns to the ark, Noah puts out his hand to pull her in unto him.”

Take the Step

James 4:6-10 is a call to action and a promise of hope. Don’t let pride, sin, or the devil keep you from God. Humble yourself, submit, resist, and draw near. He’s waiting—eager to meet you with grace, lift you up, and draw you into His presence. Will you take that step today? The promise is sure: “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” There’s nothing better than being close to Him.