Draw Near: James 4:8

Out of Context, Part 3

Okay. So listen.

The plan was to write this post about the good ole “no weapon formed against you will prosper” passage, but… well… change of plans!

Yesterday, I was standing in line at a coffee shop, totally eavesdropping on a very intense small group. One guy, voice low and serious, leaned across the table and said, “Man, I’ve just been feeling really distant from God lately.” Someone nodded. Another sipped his drink and, full of confidence, said, “Well… you know what the book of James says. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”

Everyone nodded again—and that was it. Case closed, I guess. Like spiritual cause and effect. You move toward God, and he moves toward you.

Now, hear me, it’s not a bad encouragement, but it can get really confusing really fast. Simply put, if you don’t “feel” God, does that mean you didn’t draw near hard enough? Is it on you to make the first move?

And what if… you’ve actually already drawn near, but God still feels distant? It sounds sweet and simple. But the context is anything but cozy. Uh oh.

The Book of James

Let’s start with the text itself. James is writing a letter to scattered Christians—people trying to follow Jesus while living in a culture full of competing values. He isn’t pulling any punches, that’s for sure. The book reads like a punchy sermon. It is direct, fast, in-your-face wisdom for messy lives.

By the time we get to chapter 4, James is on fire. He’s confronting a group of believers who’ve allowed pride, conflict, and even spiritual compromise to take root in the community—especially among teachers and leaders (see James 3:1–you’ll see what I mean).

Here’s how James leads into the verse at hand in James 4:4 (ESV)—“You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

Yikes.

James talks about God’s jealousy for his people and how he gives more grace. Then he hits them with the… “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:7–8, ESV)

So, notice with me, this is not an invitation. It’s a call to repentance.

[[ For what it’s worth, this isn’t a verse you crochet on a pillow. It’s a verse you shout in the mirror when you realize you’ve been chasing control instead of surrendering to grace. You know what I mean?! ]]

What the Verse Means

James is calling out people who are trying to live in both worlds—chasing God with their mouths, but loving the world with their hearts. He’s not just saying, “God feels distant.” He’s saying, “You’ve distanced yourselves from him through pride and double-mindedness.”

And “draw near” doesn’t mean try harder. It means return in humility.

James is echoing the language of the prophets—like Hosea or Joel—where “return to the Lord” is a way of describing repentance and surrender. It’s relational—but it’s also raw. This isn’t about earning closeness with God. It’s about dropping the act and falling on your face.

But! It isn’t bad news! This is good news. Why? When you do that—he’s there. Not eventually. Immediately. NICE.

Why a Shallow Reading Can Be a Problem

If you read this verse like a spiritual vending machine—“insert nearness, get God”—you might end up with some toxic assumptions. For example, you may convince yourself that if God feels distant, it’s automatically my fault. Or that I have to make the first move to get God’s attention. Or, perhaps most dangerously, God only shows up when I’m performing well.

That’s not how grace works. That’s not how Jesus works. And that’s definitely not what James is saying.

James isn’t describing how to earn God’s nearness. He’s calling people to repent of the very things that have gotten in the way of what was already theirs in Christ.

[[ For what it’s worth, “draw near” only makes sense when you realize how near God already is. The movement isn’t about changing God’s mind—it’s about changing your posture. ]]

So… Can We Still Use It?

Well, yeah. It is important, however, to ensure that its use is rooted in repentance, not effort.

James is not prescribing a step-by-step formula to feel God again. He’s describing what happens when we drop the mask, stop pretending, and honestly submit ourselves to God.

God is not reluctant. He’s not sitting back waiting to be convinced. He’s waiting for surrender. That’s what draws him close. He was already there the whole time.

In other words, this verse doesn’t mean you have to go find God. It means he’s already been looking for you.

A Better Verse to Land the Plane

If you’re trying to encourage someone who feels far from God—someone who’s hurting, confused, or numb—maybe don’t lead with James 4:8. That might feel more like a guilt trip than a gift. OOF.

Instead, try this one… “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18, ESV). This verse doesn’t require any movement on your part. It just tells the truth. God is near to the broken.

Or maybe this one… “You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?” (Psalm 139:5,7, ESV). David isn’t drawing near. He’s realizing God’s already there.

If you want to remind someone that God hasn’t gone anywhere, point them to these verses. You know, verses that don’t make nearness a reward—but a reality.

[[ For what it’s worth, God’s nearness isn’t something you unlock. It’s something you notice. And James is just trying to wake you up to it. ]]

Hopefully, That Made Sense

James 4:8 isn’t a sweet sentiment—it’s a sharp call to come back. To stop running. To stop pretending. To surrender.

It doesn’t mean you have to climb your way back to God. It just means you finally admit you can’t—and let him meet you in the dust.

So yeah—draw near. But not to earn anything. Do it because he’s already near. Do it because grace is real. Do it because surrender is the only way to freedom. And if someone you love needs a reminder that God hasn’t left them, skip the spiritual transaction.

Tell them the truth that God is near to the brokenhearted.

… also, I am sorry for eavesdropping.

Until next time,
Petey