Bad vs. Good Hedonism

August 17th, 2026
by Lance Waldie

James 4:1-2a What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel.

Back in 3:16 James addressed the problem that exists in our churches when jealousy and selfish ambition are present: “there is disorder and every evil thing.” He contrasts that in 3:17 with the heavenly fruits that accompany those whose focus is on Christ. Then in 3:18, he commends peacemakers since they sow peace and not discord in the church. There is thus no real transition from 3:18 to 4:1. James merely identifies the source of the problem in 4:1-5.

What is the source of “quarrels and conflicts” among you—literally of “wars and fighting”? Answer: your “pleasures” (Gr. hēdonē), from which hedonism derives—the belief that pleasure is the goal of life (cf. Luke 8:14; Titus 3:3; 2 Pet. 2:13). James says these “pleasures” work to “wage war” in our “members,” like the tongue (3:1-12; 4:11; 5:9), causing “quarrels and conflicts” within the church. Anyone who has ever been involved with a local church can attest to some of the toxic people James is referring to, for their jealousy of certain teachers, singers, and servants within the church eventually stirs up their sinful tongues to action, unleashing gossip, harsh words, criticism, and insults. Yes, even in the church, even among Christians. How can this be? Because Christians, saved from the penalty of sin, are not yet free from its presence.

In v. 2, James calls his audience murderers! Why? They were lusting for things they could not obtain, quarreling, and perhaps blaming one another for their own problems. But were they truly murderers? Likely not, although anything is possible. Since James often relied on Jesus’ teachings from the Sermon on the Mount, he likely had murder of the heart in mind. After all, Jesus’ Sermon accuses all who are angry at a fellow human being of murder (Matt. 5:21-26), for murder begins with anger against another. Thus, “you murder” is perhaps a condemnation of those in the church who were bitterly jealous and selfishly ambitious (3:14). In a word, they were envious. Examples of this in Scripture are the chief priests’ decision to deliver Jesus to Pilate—done out of “envy” (Mark 15:10). Likewise, Luke and Paul attribute the persecution suffered by the early Church to “jealousy” (Acts 5:17; 13:45) and misplaced “zeal” (Phil 3:6).

James does not state what his audience lusted for and what they were envious of. It might be that some were jockeying for positions of power or teaching responsibilities. This fits with his previous warnings, for in 3:1 he addressed the issue of how Christians should be careful about desiring to teach. Perhaps some who desired to teach but were unable were envious of those who did? Likewise, James chided his audience about who was wise and understanding among them (3:13). It is possible that many wanted to lead and be thought wise by the rest, yet since many were not succeeding in this, they lashed out at those who were effective leaders. It is no wonder, therefore, that James previously exhorted his people to ask for wisdom if they lacked it (1:5).

Food For Thought
Pleasures, in and of themselves are not bad. After all, God is the author of pleasure, and it is our pleasure to exalt and glorify Him. The Westminster Confession of faith says that the Christian’s first priority is to glorify God Almighty and enjoy Him forever. We note that the Psalms are replete with the language of pleasure and joy: “Taste and see that Yahweh is good” (Ps. 34:8). “Delight yourself in Yahweh, and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Ps. 37:4). “In Your presence is fulness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever” (Ps. 16:11, LSB). It is to God’s glory that we enjoy His gifts and grace—from the air we breathe to the people we love to the food we eat. May all our pleasures, however, be only to His glory.