-James says this: choosing friendship with the world is cheating. We commit adultery.
-The closer we move toward “the world,” the further we move away from God.

Two critical questions we must ask in response to this text:
1. What does it mean to be a friend of the world?
2. What do I do in response?

What does it mean to be a friend of the world?
-It means our loyalty is ultimately to the things of this world. They are the priority. They are the focus, They are the foundation upon which our life is built.
-The root of sin is ultimately a desire for 'self' above all. Sin comes down to a desire for 'self' over God's best.
-So a friend of the world is one who is loyal to the desires of 'self' above anything else.

What do I do in response? What do I do if my loyalty is divided?
-James provides good news in the midst of difficult words: "Be He gives more grace" (James 4:6).
-Grace is available even when we have been disloyal and unfaithful.
-And this grace from God is offered to those who are willing to humble themselves. This is why James references Proverbs 3:34.
-If friendship with the world is a loyalty to 'self', then perhaps the closer we are to true humility, the further we are from the world.

The bottom line:
Choose your friends wisely.

Other verses for further study/reflection:

Other verses:
Exodus 34:14
1 John 2:15-18
John 15:18
Romans 12:2
John 18:36