When I was little, my mom told me not to play with matches.  For a young boy, it is not as easy as you might think to obey.  Matches were easy to come by and play with.  I ignored mom's warning till a neighborhood kid caught his house on fire.  The damage was extensive and I was shocked.

 

James is more than the scolding mother in this text.  He has seen what playing with the world can do to people.  Judas is still fresh on his mind.  Judas tried to play both sides of the fence.  He bartered with the ruling authorities and compromised Jesus.  Maybe he thought he could force God's hand.  Maybe he was just a thief like John said.  Either way, it ended in suicide.

 

Don't trust this world.  Don't play with matches.  Hold to your faith and your convictions and be wary of the world being too friendly.  You can get burned!