The Sin of Self-Sufficiency Text: James 4:11-17
Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He, who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. 12 There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?
13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; 14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” 16 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
The law of kindness, as well as truth and justice must govern our lips. Christians are brethren, and to break God’s commands, is to speak evil of them, and to judge them. Those who judge others in the sense of condemning them are guilty of assuming the privilege of God. We cannot have an affair with worldliness by making plans without consulting God. Plans without God are presumption and those actions show whose is control of that life. When ‘one’ knows right but actively commits evil deeds it’s sin.
A doctor called one of his patients into his office to deliver some very important news. "I have received the results of your tests and I have some bad news and some good news", said the doctor. The patient was quiet for a moment, sensing the severity of the announcement. "Let me have the good news first, doc", said the patient. The doctor took a deep breath and said, "You only have 24 hours to live." "Oh my goodness", shouted the patient, "If that’s the good news what could the bad news possibly be?" The doctor replied, "I was supposed to tell you yesterday.”
It’s important to keep the right Spirit because we truly don’t know what tomorrow brings! We cannot afford to become self-sufficient!
This message can be divided into two sections; therefore, we will go back to the first verse on condemning!
James 4: 11 Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He, who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law.
God hates all sin, but there are a few sins that are constantly and strongly condemned by scripture. Condemning, backbiting, gossip, speaking evil and talking about others.
I Peter 2:1-3 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
I once heard a pastor tell a story of another person who told him of a fellow minister who cheated on his wife. Latter, the pastor found out that this story wasn’t true, but he said, “ every time I see that pastor and his wife I think about that story.” Because of that lie it’s what I remember about this man of God. ( Even though it was all a lie) How sad!
When we speak against another brother we are actually showing hate toward the law of love!
Lev. 19:18 is called the royal law of love! 18). You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.
James 4: 12 There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?
Judging others usurps God’s right and authority. Key point: We should never criticize another person!
Proverbs 6: 16-19 These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.
James 4:13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”;
James is saying here that if you belong unto Christ you can’t possibly make decisions without Him! In other words, don’t make a long distance plan without Him!
James 4:14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
Self-sufficiency is failure to recognize the uncertainty of life! An accident, some disease, a broken relationship, bad news, a plane crash, a serious fire.
Life can vanish away! Some causes- a thief, a faulty bolt or tire, old age, a drowning or a heart attack!
We seldom know when death comes and how it will come!
James 4:15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”
Mankind is dependent upon God for life! We should discuss wealth, protection, security, housing, fulfillment, joy, welfare, provision, food, clothing, love and peace with Him!
Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
Matthew 6:34 Jesus Said, 34.Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
James 4:16 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
A person who boast is a person who thinks he has, but he does not really have it. He lives in an unreal world. He lives, plans and thinks without God.
The word boast (alazoniais) means, an empty boaster.
James 4:17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
This is a good definition of ‘sin’ to know and refuse to do what is right!
A person who knows that he or she should walk in fellowship with God but refuses is sinning!
Romans 6:23 or the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ezekiel 18:4 Behold, all souls are Mine; The soul of the father As well as the soul of the son is Mine; The soul who sins shall die.
Prayer.
