James also blames conflict on our tendency toward selfishness. Selfish desires also lead to asking God for things that aren’t good. It’s a way Christians end up looking just like non-Christians. People further demonstrate their self-centeredness by assuming God will go along with their plans. People should always recognize that God has the right to intervene.
Being self-centered leads to many negative behaviors. When we submit to God, the desires that lead to the behaviors James mentions are overcome.