(#1064, Imperial, 1964)
Read James 4:11-17.
James is a book of practice, emphasizing practical
living. James speaks of a living faith
that is compatible with the Word of God.
There is little more important than what is suggested by two words of
caution before us: our speech, and including God in all of our life program and
purpose.
Evil speaking.
ƒ Speak
not one against another. Often
Christians are overly critical and fault finding. It is possible to find fault
with anyone if we are looking for faults.
Men are fallible!
ƒ Forms
of evil speaking:
w False
accusations.
w Exaggeration.
Taking a brother's fault and making it worse.
One sin becomes a habit.
w Broadcasting
real faults. Love covers a multitude of
sins.
w Mock
sympathy.
ƒ Reasons
for not speaking evil.
w It
grieves the Spirit (Eph. 4:30).
w We
are brothers (v11).
w In
doing so we speak evil of the Law (v11).
w We
set ourselves above God (v11-12).
Leaving God out of our plans and purposes, v13-17.
ƒ The
fool, v13. This is illustrated in Luke
12:16-20. This man made his plans
without God. He was counted a fool.
ƒ Why
we should not leave God out of our plans:
w We
do not know what the future holds. It is
hidden to us; only God knows, v14.
w Our
life is a vapor, v14. Only what is done
for Christ will last.
w the
Lord has a will, v15. God has a very
definite plan and purpose for every redeemed life. God has a will for every individual. It is good, perfect, and acceptable
(Rom. 12:1-2).
The bottom line is that it is a sin to plan without God,
v17.
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