Resolving Conflict By Fearing God

James wants us to see how our conflicts come from our hearts, how our conflicts are spiritual adultery and spiritual treason, and how these wicked sins are done right in the presence of God. That's his focus. In the difficult-to-interpret Verse 5, James is likely summarizing a theme that is prominent in the Old Testament, that is, the jealousy of God for his people, and he has in mind Exodus 19 to 34, particularly Exodus 20:5, the second commandment.