As if James hadn’t beat us up enough in the previous chapters with how we should act as a Christian, he really lets us have it in chapter 4.  In the beginning of the chapter he talks about pride, followed by worldliness, then judging a brother, followed up with boasting.  Man, can James sock it to us or what?  But what I really find interesting is verses 7 & 8.  7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. In verse 7, James is telling us to forsake rebellion.  Submit yourself to your Lord.  Forsake the Devil & refuse all his temptations.  Then in verse 8 James tells us to quickly confess our sins.  Nothing more effectively humbles a person than to admit that they are a sinner. 

These two verses show that faith is humbling and that humility is the total opposite of being proud.  Selfishness and self-centered goals show us the present evil age.  When we are self-centered we are being full of worldliness.  So to be self-centered is to be hostile with God.