The Ride Ends - Eternity Doesn’t

James 4:11–17 ESV

11 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against 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 only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? 13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— 14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

Main Idea

A Christian doesn't have to tear others down, control tomorrow, or boast about his plans because he knows who is really in charge—God.

Introduction — We’re Not the Boss of Everything

Most cowboys learn pretty quickly that you can't control everything.

You can make plans for the ranch, the rodeo, the family, or the business—and then the weather changes, the horse acts up, or life throws you a curve.

James 4:11–17 deals with three areas where we tend to take God's place:

How we talk about other people.

How we think about tomorrow.

How we respond to what God wants us to do today.

James reminds us: God is God, and we're not.

1. Watch Your Mouth When You Talk About Others

James 4:11–12

“Do not speak evil against one another, brothers.” — James 4:11 ESV

The Greek word translated “speak evil” is katalaleō—to speak against, slander, or talk someone down.

James isn't saying we should ignore sin.

Jesus said:

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.” — Matthew 18:15

There is a difference between biblical correction and malicious criticism.

Galatians 6:1 says:

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.”

*The goal isn't to destroy somebody.

The goal is restoration.

James says:

“Whoever speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law.” — James 4:11

Why?

Because when we put ourselves in the judge's seat, we're acting like we know everything about somebody's heart.

But 1 Samuel 16:7 reminds us:

“The LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”

And James says:

“There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?” — James 4:12

Cowboy application:

Before you run somebody down at the coffee shop, feed store, ranch, or church, ask:

“Am I helping this person, or am I just making myself feel better?”

Proverbs 16:28 says:

“A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.”

If there's a problem, handle it biblically.

If there's nothing you can do about it, pray about it instead of talking about it.

2. Make Your Plans, But Leave Room for God

James 4:13–14

James describes people saying:

“Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit.” — James 4:13

There's nothing wrong with making plans.

Proverbs 21:5 says:

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance.”

Planning is good.

Presumption is the problem.

James says:

“Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring.” — James 4:14

The Greek word for “know” is epistamai, meaning to know or understand with certainty.

We simply don't know what tomorrow holds.

Proverbs 27:1 says:

“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”

James then says our life is:

“a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” — James 4:14

The Greek word is atmis—a vapor, breath, or mist.

You see your breath on a cold Montana morning.

There it is.

Then the sun comes up—and it's gone.

That's how quickly life passes.

Psalm 90:12 says:

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”

Cowboy application:

You can plan next year's calving season.

You can plan the next rodeo.

You can plan your retirement.

But don't leave God out of the plan.

Planning says, “Here's what I'd like to do.”

Presumption says, “This is what I'm going to do, regardless of God.”

3. Say “If the Lord Wills” With Your Life, Not Just Your Mouth

James 4:15

James says:

“Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’” — James 4:15

The Greek word for “wills” is thelō—to desire, intend, or will.

James isn't giving us a religious phrase to tack onto every sentence.

He's teaching us a posture of humility.

Proverbs 16:9 says:

“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.”

Proverbs 19:21 says:

“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.”

And Jesus taught us to pray:

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” — Matthew 6:10

That's the heart James is talking about.

A good cowboy can know where he's headed while still recognizing who holds the reins.

Application:

Instead of:

“God, here's what I'm going to do.”

Say:

“Lord, here's what I'm planning. If it's Your will, help me do it.”

4. Don't Boast About Tomorrow—Be Faithful Today

James 4:16–17

James gets pretty direct:

“As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.” — James 4:16

The Greek word for “arrogance” is alazoneia—boastful confidence, pretension, or pride.

It's the attitude that says:

“I've got this.”

But Scripture says:

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” — James 4:6

Then James gives us a powerful truth:

“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” — James 4:17

That's the sin of omission.

Sometimes sin isn't something we do.

Sometimes it's something we fail to do.

Jesus said:

“If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” — John 13:17

You know you need to forgive—but you don't.

Jesus said:

“Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” — Luke 6:37

You know you need to make something right—but you keep putting it off.

Jesus said:

“So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you... First be reconciled to your brother.” — Matthew 5:23–24

You know somebody needs Jesus—but you never tell them.

Jesus commanded:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” — Matthew 28:19

You know you should help somebody—but you walk away.

Galatians 6:10 says:

“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone.”

Cowboy application:

Don't wait for tomorrow to obey what God has told you to do today.

Tomorrow isn't promised.

Today is sitting right in front of you.

Conclusion — Hold the Reins Loosely

James gives us a simple way to live:

Watch your mouth.

Don't tear people down. Ephesians 4:29

Watch your plans.

Don't presume upon tomorrow. Proverbs 27:1

Watch your heart.

Don't think you're the one in charge. James 4:6

Watch your obedience.

Don't put off what God has told you to do. James 4:17

At the end of the day, the question isn't:

“Did I get everything I wanted done?”

The better question is:

“Was I faithful with what God put in front of me today?”

You may not know what tomorrow holds.

But you know who holds tomorrow.

Psalm 37:5 says:

“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.”

Final Challenge

If you've got something to make right—make it right.

If you've got somebody to forgive—start forgiving.

If you've got somebody who needs Jesus—tell them about Jesus.

If you've been living like you're the boss—surrender the reins.

Because James reminds us:

Our life is a mist. Our plans are temporary. But God's will stands forever.

“If the Lord wills…”

That's not weakness.

That's faith.