Bad For Business

we saw three aspects of the sinful attitude of judgmentalism. First, we are responsible to not be judgmental (v11a). Returning to the subject of abusive speech (recall chap 3), James commands us to avoid critical speech (READ v11a). As Christians, we should restrain ourselves from speaking evil of fellow believers. Remember v10 (READ)-–true humility cannot be achieved by one who slanders his brothers! To judge someone’s motives unfairly is to evidence pride! And remember, there’s a difference between judgmentalism & discernment: Judgmentalism asks Why? and subjectively makes a decision about heart motives. Discernment asks What? & objectively deals with actual facts. We must avoid being judgmental but we’re commanded to be discerning. The second aspect we looked at were the two reasons we’re not to be judgmental (v11b). First, judging other Christians is to judge the law. Secondly, judging the law is to set ourselves over the law (v11c). We judge God’s law because it says we’re to love our neighbor as ourselves, yet we’re defaming our neighbor with our words. Thus we set ourselves above God’s law because we fail to keep it ourselves! We set it aside because we don’t like it. The final aspect of judgmentalism is the reality that God is the solitary judge (v12 READ). The One & only Lawgiver and Judge is Jesus Christ the Lord! He is the only One who is able to save & to completely destroy. In His hands alone reside the ultimate powers of life and death. Since this is true, then James asks, “but who are you who judge your neighbor?” If God alone holds all the functions of giving, interpreting, and executing the Law, then who are we to judge the hearts of other people? The point is simply this: James is prohibiting a judgmental spirit that usurps the authority that belongs to God.

In verses 13-17 We will see 2 business models.

I. Prideful Business Model (13-14, 16)

A. Prideful Plans

Planned Travel
Planned Business Location
Planned Duration
Planned Strategy
Planned Result

B. Powerful Reality

Your Not That Smart
Proverbs 27:1—“Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”
Your Not That Important
“My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle” (Job 7:6). “The cloud is consumed and vanisheth away” (Job 7:9). “Our days upon earth are a shadow” (Job 8:9). “Now my days are swifter than a post” (Job 9:25), referring to the royal couriers that hastened in their missions. “They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey” (Job 9:26). “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not” (Job 14:1–2). Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1989). The Bible exposition commentary.
You're Being Arrogant
You're Acting Evil

II. Godly Business Model (15, 17)

A. Humble Submission

We count our years at each birthday, but God tells us to number our days (Ps. 90:12). Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1989). The Bible exposition commentary.

Proverbs 19:21, Many are the plans in a man's heart, But the counsel of the LORD, it will stand. And Proverbs 15:22, Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed.

!!!. B. Prepared Stewardship

!!!. C. Informed Conscience

Are you depending on the Lord for your plans? Will you humbly commit your future into His hands today?