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

God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Not Simply with Words' (1 Th. 1:5)
"[O]ur gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 28:27
"He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Philippians 4:12
"There are many who know "how to be abased" who have not learned "how to abound." When they are set upon the top of a pinnacle their heads grow dizzy,...."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Will Durant:
"The love we have in our youth is superficial compared to the love that an old man has for his old wife."

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