I. Introduction

II. Vs. 11–12 – Who’s the Boss?

James 4:11–12
Do not speak against one another, brothers and sisters. The one who speaks against a brother or sister, or judges his brother or sister, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you judging your neighbor?

• “Brothers and sisters” – This address is clearly to Christ followers.

• “Do not speak against” – Greek meaning: slander

• When we judge our brother in Christ, we are in essence setting ourselves up as the standard bearer.

• In our hearts we are saying: “My opinion is superior to God’s command.”

• This is a profound act of spiritual pride, placing ourselves in God’s seat.

III. Vs. 13–16 – Who’s in Control?

James 4:13–16
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. For you are just a vapor that appears for a little while, and then vanishes away. 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.

• This is not about business or money.

• This is about my will vs. God’s will.

IV. Pride

• An expression of pride

• Reflection: How have you expressed pride?

V. Vs. 17 – Who’s Will?

James 4:17
Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.

• There are only two wills on this earth:

  1. Self-will

  2. God’s will

“But it seems there is no way we can overcome self-will without God’s help. This principle is very simple: if we realize that there are only two wills on earth, human will and God’s will, then self-will can only be overcome by God’s will. Self-will cannot overcome self-will.”
We have to have God’s help. We have to quit playing God because it hasn’t worked. We have to make a decision that hereafter God is going to direct our lives.”
— Joe McQ

Takeaways

1. Who’s the Boss?
   God’s will won’t enter where self-will dominates.

2. Who’s in Control?
   If I believe God is sovereign, why do I try to manipulate the outcomes?
   Why don’t I just submit and obey?
   Because I don’t believe He is good—really, I don’t believe He is good enough… for me.

3. Whose Will?
   A. Sensitivity to God’s Truth
   B. Sensitivity to God’s Conviction
   C. Sensitivity to God’s Spirit

4. Your Call