We live in a culture obsessed with planning. We plan careers, vacations, retirements, and even the next five minutes of our day. And planning is wise—it keeps us focused and prepared. But James points out a danger: the arrogance of planning as if we control tomorrow.
He reminds us that our lives are fragile, like a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. The problem isn’t planning—it’s presumption. It’s acting as if we are sovereign, when in fact, only God is. The real question James asks is: Will you plan with God or without Him?
“What’s your five-year plan? We love to answer that question. But here’s one James would ask: What’s God’s five-year plan for you? You see, the difference between wise planning and arrogant boasting isn’t in the calendar—it’s in the posture of your heart. Today, James shows us how faith doesn’t stop planning, but it does stop presuming.”
Series Title: Faith That Works
Week 7: Faith That Plans with God
Text: James 4:13–17 Big Idea:Faith that works plans boldly but submits fully to God’s will.
I. The Arrogance of Self-Sufficient Planning
James 4:13–14 (NIV)
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
Cross References:
- Proverbs 27:1 – Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
- Luke 12:19–20 – And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you.”
Why We Struggle: We love to control the future, believing our plans are secure. But life’s brevity and uncertainty are constant reminders of our limits.
Theological Summary: Planning is not wrong, but presumption is. We are not sovereign over time, life, or outcomes—God is.
Know This: Your calendar may be full, but your life is still in God’s hands.
II. The Call to Submit Plans to God
James 4:15 (NIV)
Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
Cross References:
- Acts 18:21 – But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.”
- Proverbs 16:9 – In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.
Why We Struggle: We often tack God onto our plans after the fact, instead of inviting Him into them from the start.
Theological Summary: Humility means acknowledging God’s sovereignty not just in salvation but in the everyday affairs of life.
Know This: Submitting your plans to God’s will isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom.
III. The Sin of Knowing but Not Doing
James 4:16–17 (NIV)
As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
Cross References:
- Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
- Luke 12:47 – The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows.
Why We Struggle: We excuse inaction with busyness. We prefer to define sin only by wrong actions, but James calls us out for the good we leave undone.
Theological Summary: Boasting is not just prideful speech—it’s claiming control over life apart from God. True faith is expressed not only in avoiding wrong but in doing right.
Know This: Sin is not only what you commit—it’s also what you omit.
APPLICATION
HEAD (What to Believe):
God is sovereign over tomorrow. Our plans succeed only under His will.
HEART (What to Feel):
A deep humility about life’s brevity and a desire to align with God’s will in every decision.
HAND (What to Do):
- Begin every plan with prayer, asking, “Lord, if it is Your will…”
- Hold your calendar and ambitions loosely before God.
- Obey the good you already know God is calling you to do.
Key Takeaways:
- Life is short and uncertain—only God controls tomorrow.
- Planning is wise, but presumption is sinful.
- Submission to God’s will brings peace and perspective.
- Sin is not just doing wrong—it’s failing to do right.