Answer
James 4:3 states, “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” The Greek word translated as “pleasures” can also be translated as “passions” (ESV). Our motivation in prayer is as important as what we are asking for.
James’ primary theme is being a hearer and doer of the Word (James 1:22). In James 4, the apostle confronts the cause of conflict among believers. James explains that conflicts arise from “desires that battle” within individuals (verse 1). Selfish desires lead to covetousness, disputes, and fights (verse 2).
When James speaks of wrong motives when we ask God for things, he is addressing a heart condition that prioritizes self-gratification above the glory of God. The term pleasures in James 4:3 refers to hedonistic desires, i.e., worldly and selfish lusts. Pleasure is not inherently sinful, but it becomes so when the glory of God is not the goal. “So, whether you eat or drink,” says Paul, “or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31, ESV).
James teaches that we should examine our motives in prayer (James 4:3). When we pray with selfish intentions, seeking to gratify our pleasures and passions rather than fulfill God’s will, our prayers will be hindered. Jesus also taught the need for the right heart posture in prayer: “Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9–10, ESV). We should always pray for the will of God to be accomplished on earth rather than asking God to satisfy our hunger for self-gratification.
The Bible issues numerous warnings against indulging in passions and pleasures. In 1 John 2:15–17, the apostle writes, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (ESV). Indulging in sensual passions and pleasures is shortsighted and temporary; pursuing the will of God is forever.
Paul also warns against living according to passions and pleasures in Galatians 5:16–17: “I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do” (ESV). Here, Paul contrasts the desires of the flesh, including sinful passions and pleasures, with the desires of the Holy Spirit.
Believers must learn to resist sinful passions and pleasures. In Titus 2:11–12, Paul writes, “The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age” (ESV). The grace of God enables us to denounce self-centered passions and pleasures and live in a way that pleases God.
