Instead...

The last of James 4:

Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin

If you didn’t read yesterday’s devo, go back and read it so you’ll know what comes before “Instead…” here in these verses.

Why is it important to actually say the words, “if the Lord wills…” before we make our plans? 

I think it’s because when we say aloud and agree with God regarding our lives and all that we have planned, we are laying down our own desires in favor of His.  When we can’t say that our plans are only operable if it be His will, we are being arrogant, self-sufficient…and that’s “evil.”

Wow. 

Boasting about what all we have planned for our future and how we’re going to turn a profit by doing it is not right. 

And here at the end of James comes a verse I’ve heard all of my life, but never realized the context in which it sits.

When we know the “right” thing to do and choose to not do it, it’s sin.

Here in these last few verses the “right” thing is to acknowledge the sovereignty and rule of God in our lives, to submit every plan, every thought, every word, and every deed to His will for our futures.

Anything less than that is sin.

I think I need to pray and repent, and acknowledge God and his ways once again. In fact, it’s good to do this daily.

And it sure brings a lot of peace when all of our plans are submitted to him.