Spiritual Warfare: 'What Causes Our Fights and Quarrels?'

God's Power for Our Battles — Monday, August 24, 2026

What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.
— James 4:1-2 NLT

Today's Prayer

Lord, deliver me from all jealousy and evil desires. Free me from the slavery I feel to my own passions and yearnings. Help me to overcome the feelings that deceive me into thinking that I would finally be happy if I got what I wanted. Help me turn my life and my hope and dreams over to Your plans, Lord, because I know You truly know what’s in my best interest. Use me to Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

7 Related Resources by Heartlight

ASK!
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Child of God, James, my half brother, hit the nail on the head when he taught about why My people lack so many of the simplest and yet most..."
SpiritFire: Ask!
Article by Phil Ware
Why do we not ask for something God longs to give? Phil Ware begins a four week challenge that coordinates with the SpiritFire daily devotional challenging us to invite the Holy Spirit into our daily lives.
Humbly Yield Control
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Disciple, Yesterday I talked to you about letting the Spirit lead the dance of your life. Today, I want you to notice what happens when a person..."
Teach Us to Pray 09: Recalibrating Need
Article by Phil Ware
Our prayers often treat God as if he is the free Amazon delivery service for our every whim and want. Phil Ware with Andy Johnson remind us that our prayer is for the bread we need today, not the extravagance we want for ourselves.
See All 7 Related Resources about James 4:1-2

Illustration

Illustration of James 4:1-2 NLT — What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, August 24, 2026

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Treasure in Fragile Clay Pots'
"Dear Precious Follower, In Paul's day, the Greek language had two words for two different types of pots. One was called an amphiphora. An amphiphora...."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Charles H. Spurgeon:
"For nourishment, comfort, exhilaration, and refreshment, no wine can rival the love of Jesus. Drink deeply."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
John 20:29
"Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.""
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Instilled with Truth' (2 Ti. 2:8-13)
"Dear Father, Let my remembrance and my devotions be set upon Jesus Christ, a descendant of David according to the flesh but an heir of your riches..."

About This Devotional

Spiritual Warfare is a daily devotional about God's power for our battles.

The Prayer for Spiritual Warfare is written by Steve Hemphill.

More Spiritual Warfare