James 4:5

 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain,

 "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"?

     In effect, the question being asked is this .... Surely you don't think the Scripture is wrong when it says: the spirit which He sent to live in us wants us for himself alone?  Folks, this simple verse is asking us whether we have made idols and put them before God.  He has made it very plain, in a number of verses, that we should have no other gods (idols) before Him.  And He has told us that He is a jealous God.  That means He is fiercely protective of who He is in our lives, both spiritually and physically.  

     Because, you see, we can make idols of anything and anyone; our spouses, our children, our jobs, our titles, our "things", our tithes, our reputations .... even our "religiosity".  God gave us the Holy Spirit, and it is the very breath of God in us.  Think about that for a moment!  Without breath we have no life.  So if God has given us His breath, then we must ask ourselves what kind of life do we owe Him?  That should help us to understand His position.  He has a right to demand that we be faithful to Him alone and to worship Him exclusively.  

     Worship.  What does that mean exactly?  It is a feeling of reverence and adoration; to honor someone or something in recognition of their importance to you.  You can honor your husband, and adore your children.  You can even recognize how important your pastor, your project at work, or the charitable work on behalf of the homeless is to you.  But when any of these take precedence over your reverence or adoration of God, then His Holy Spirit is contending for a place in your heart, mind and soul.  What can possibly be more worthy than the very breath of God, which dwells in us?  So what kind of life are you living for Him?  And are you putting anything before Him?

     So I have to ask you one more question.  Do you take God seriously?  You should.  By giving us His Holy Spirit, God has imparted to us the very essence of Himself.  It is not to be wasted or diminished, or to play second-fiddle to anything else on Heaven or Earth.  It is a disservice to such a great gift to idolize any other god of our making.  God offers us mercy and grace, but He has also made it very plain that He will not be mocked.  He is a jealous God because He loves us so.  We disrespect His Spirit at our own peril.