Comment: Satan the devil, the arch-enemy of God and man, is constantly bent on setting man adrift with his corrupting influences.  One can become an enemy of God when he allows himself to be seduced by the devil, “the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience” to constantly follow unrighteous courses.

To be a friend of the world means to live a lifestyle that conforms to the ways and fashion of this world; to do things people of the world do even though such things are contrary to the will of God. These are sometimes brought about through friends, peer groups or age-mates to which the simple or gullible person is associating with – 1 Corinthians 15:33; Exodus 23:2.

While friendship with God and Christ will give us life and other attendant blessings, the opposite, though may appear attractive in the beginning, is completely unfruitful, leading to sorrow, pain and death in the end.  It is for this reason James the Apostle exhorted Christians as is the text for today. So let us keep away from friends, companions and things that could make us friends of the world.  Let us draw close to God by knowing Him through the study of His word and the practice of His righteousness.  It is by so doing that we would be His friends, like Abraham the father of the faithful by His grace. – James 2:23; 4:7,8.