Course Correction: Identifying the Signs and Making the Change

Written By View Church

Pastor Reed Sowell

When navigating life as a follower of Jesus, there are times when we unintentionally drift off course. The world’s influences can slowly pull us away from the life God calls us to, often without us realizing it. James 4 gives a strong and direct warning about what it looks like when a Christian becomes polluted by the world. He paints a picture of someone who no longer reflects Christ in their words, actions, and desires. They may have one foot in the church but still be deeply influenced by worldly values.

The good news? Recognizing when we are off course is the first step to change. Click the link above for the full message.

Let’s explore the warning signs that indicate a course correction is needed and what steps we can take to realign our lives with God’s truth.

Warning Signs That a Course Correction Is Needed

1. Fights and Quarrels Among Believers

James 4:1-3 highlights that internal desires often lead to external conflicts:

"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." (James 4:1-3, NIV)

When selfish ambitions take priority, disagreements escalate into fights. While healthy discussions and differences of opinion are normal, persistent fighting and quarreling reveal a deeper issue—hearts that are not fully submitted to Christ.

2. Jealousy and Greed Take Root

James warns that desires left unchecked can lead to destructive behaviors. While this may not mean literal killing, it can manifest in other harmful ways, such as gossip, resentment, or undermining others to get ahead.

  • Jealousy can lead to bitterness.

  • Greed can distort our prayers, causing us to seek personal gain rather than God’s will.

  • Envy can break relationships and divide the body of Christ.

3. Impure Motives in Prayer

James 4:3 highlights another warning sign—selfish prayers:

"When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."

God desires to bless His people, but when requests stem from self-centered desires rather than a heart aligned with His will, He may withhold what we ask for. If prayers feel ineffective, it’s worth examining the motives behind them.

4. Alignment with the World Instead of God

James 4:4-6 issues a sobering reminder:

"You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God."

Being a "friend of the world" doesn’t mean avoiding non-Christians. Jesus Himself was known for dining with sinners. Rather, it speaks to adopting the world’s values, prioritizing status, wealth, or comfort over obedience to God.

  • Are your goals shaped by culture more than Scripture?

  • Do you find yourself compromising biblical truth to fit in?

  • Is your heart drawn more to worldly success than to God’s presence?

If so, a course correction is necessary.

How to Correct Your Course and Get Back on Track

James 4:7-10 lays out a clear roadmap for realigning with God:

"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."

1. Submit to God

Submission isn’t about losing freedom—it’s about surrendering control to the One who truly knows what is best. When we submit to God:

  • We acknowledge His authority in our lives.

  • We prioritize His will over our own.

  • We let go of pride and embrace humility.

2. Resist the Devil

Spiritual warfare is real. The enemy thrives when believers become complacent or distracted. James assures that resisting the devil will cause him to flee, but resistance requires action:

  • Guard your heart and mind against temptation.

  • Be vigilant in prayer and Scripture.

  • Seek accountability from fellow believers.

3. Draw Near to God

God promises to draw near to those who seek Him. Building intimacy with Him requires:

  • Daily time in His Word.

  • Consistent prayer and worship.

  • Genuine repentance and surrender.

4. Walk in Humility

James 4:10 reminds us that true exaltation comes from humbling ourselves before God. Pride keeps us stuck; humility frees us to grow. A contrite heart is one God will never turn away.

Living a Life That Stays on Course

Following Jesus isn’t about perfection—it’s about persistence. Every believer will veer off course at some point, but the key is recognizing the drift and responding. A life submitted to God is one of continual course correction, seeking Him daily and making necessary adjustments to stay on track.

If any of these warning signs resonate with you, don’t ignore them. God’s grace is abundant, and He invites you back into alignment with Him. Make today the day you correct your course and pursue a life fully committed to Christ.

Further Reading

Other Links

View Church https://viewchurch.co
Next

The Power of Our Words: A Call to Tame the Tongue