James 4:3

The Passion Translation

And if you ask, you won’t receive it for you’re asking with corrupt motives, seeking only to fulfill your own selfish desires.

Cross References

Psalm 18:41

They shouted for help, but no one dared to rescue them. They cried out to Yahweh, but he refused to answer them.

Proverbs 1:28

you will cry out to me, but I won’t answer. Then it will be too late to expect my help. When desperation drives you to search for me, I will be nowhere to be found.

Proverbs 15:8

It is despicable to the Lord when people use the worship of the Almighty as a cloak for their sin, but every prayer of the righteous is pleasing to his heart.

Proverbs 21:13

If you close your heart to the cries of the poor, then I’ll close my ears when you cry out to me!

Proverbs 21:27

To bring an offering to God with an ulterior motive is detestable, for it amounts to nothing but hypocrisy.

Jeremiah 11:11

“Therefore, I, Yahweh, say: Behold! I am bringing calamity upon them from which they will not be able to escape. And they will cry to me, but I will pay no attention.

Jeremiah 11:14

“Jeremiah, do not pray for these people nor cry out nor intercede on their behalf, for when trouble strikes and they cry out to me, I will pay no attention.

Jeremiah 14:12

They can fast and pray all they want, but I still won’t listen to their cry. Neither will I accept their burnt offerings and meal offerings that they present to me. I will destroy them by war, food shortages, and plague.”

Matthew 20:22

Jesus replied, “You don’t know what you are asking.” Then, looking in the eyes of Jacob and John, Jesus said, “Are you prepared to drink from the cup of suffering that I am about to drink? And are you able to endure the baptism into death that I am about to endure?” They answered him, “Yes, we are able.”

Mark 10:38

Jesus replied, “You don’t have a clue what you’re asking for! Are you prepared to drink from the cup of suffering that I am about to drink? And are you able to endure the baptism into death that I am about to experience?”

Luke 15:13

Shortly afterward, the younger son packed up all his belongings and traveled off to see the world. He journeyed to a far-off land where he soon wasted all he was given in a binge of extravagant and reckless living.

Luke 15:30

Look at him! He comes back after wasting your wealth on prostitutes and reckless living, and here you are throwing a great feast to celebrate—for him!’

James 4:1

What is the cause of your conflicts and quarrels with each other? Doesn’t the battle begin inside of you as you fight to have your own way and fulfill your own desires?

1 John 3:22

And whatever we ask of him we receive, because we keep his commands. And by our beautiful intentions we continue to do what brings pleasure to him.

1 John 5:14

Since we have this confidence, we can also have great boldness before him, for if we ask anything agreeable to his will, he will hear us.