Am I seeking God’s will?
Yesterday
Our focus was on verses 13-15, examining those who make their plans without seeking God’s will.
Today
We want to LOOK at verses 16-17, seeing how arrogant this is.
And Wrap Up this Paragraph and Summarize Chapter 4.
Open GODcha to the Book of James.
NOTE:
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Or, you can use your hardbound Bibles and follow along.
You can print off this post and put in a Notebook!
Take Time to Prepare Your Heart in Prayer
LORD, we would ask that if there is anything we have done that is displeasing to You, that would hinder us from hearing Your voice today, please show us, and help us to deal with it. As we come to Your Word today, may You shut out all the noise and help us to focus on all that You have taught and revealed to us. May we grasp and understand everything, and may we live in the light of what You are teaching us. Thank You!
LOOK at What God Says
Go to GODcha.
Where will you start?
READ God’s Word
Read James 4:13-17 again, asking the 5W’s and H.
Let’s focus on verses 16-17.
But in contrast to wanting God’s will,
In verse 16, What are those who make plans apart from God guilty of?
But as it is, you boast in your arrogance;
What does James call such boasting?
all such boasting is evil.
Do you remember seeing back in James 3:14 that arrogance is a trait of worldly wisdom?
See > James 3:14 Wisdom Not of God: Is Arrogant Part 3
And what about James 4:6? Do you remember what all we learned as we reasoned through God being opposed to the proud?
See > James 4:6 Humble Yourself: God Is Opposed to the Proud – Part 2
Do you remember the 
meaning arrogance, proud?
You might check out the meaning of ‘boast’ and ‘evil’ that are 
key words.
Let’s check out some other
Truths.
1. What do you learn about boasting in arrogance?
a.1Sa 2:3
We are NOT to boast in arrogance. (1Sa 2:3)
b. Jer 9:23-24; Psa 20:7; 1Co 1:29, 31; 3:21
We are NOT to boast in wisdom, might, or riches.
We are to boast that we understand and know the Lord. (Jer 9:23-24); (Psa 20:7); (1Co 1:29, 31; 3:21)
LISTEN: It is arrogant to believe you are wise, mighty, rich apart from God! It is evil!
Understand: It is arrogant to believe you are on this earth for you, and that you are in control of your life and plans, and goals.
Understand: We were created for God and God alone! For His will and glory!
LISTEN…
Am I living my life in arrogance saying I will do what I want, when I want, where I want?
Am I giving lip service to God, but go along my way in arrogance making plans without seeking God?
Am I willing to recognize this is evil? What will I do?
Respond to God. . .LIVE it out!
In verse 17, How does James conclude?
Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.
1. What is the therefore there for?
What is the right thing to do, then?
You have just seen what that is in v15.
2. What do you learn about ‘knowing the right thing to do… not do it … it is sin’?
a. Joh 13:17
If you do what is right you will be blessed. (Joh 13:17)
Understand: The right thing to do is put God 1st and seek His will when making plans!
Understand: If we live our lives the way God intended, then we will put Him 1st.
b. 2Pe 2:21
This is in the Context of:
– escaping the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
– but then again entangled in and overcome by those defilements,
– the last state becomes worse for them than the first.
21 It would be better they not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them.
They are like “A DOG RETURNS TO ITS OWN VOMIT,”
LISTEN…
Is God the 1st thing I think of when making plans?
Do I seek God’s will even in the simple, little things?
If I didn’t know before, I know now the right thing to do — will I do it?
What changes will I make to put God 1st in my dreams, plans goals and stuff?
Can I pass this test?
Are there are times of disobedience, when I disregard God’s will, but down deep in my heart I long to do what He desires?
Do I desire to do God’s will?
“Our lives are not ruled by chance, unfortunate circumstances, by death or disease, nor by our enemies. Our lives are not ruled by others. Our lives are not ruled by trials or troubles. Our lives are not even ruled by Satan or sickness. Our lives are ultimately, foundationally, triumphantly, ruled by Him.”
“God is not a butler to just kind of serve to our needs when we need help;
He’s not a life guard that just kind of jumps into the pool when we have life threatening situations;
He’s not like a piece of jewelry that fits on our person to accent the outfit of life.” Adam Sinnett
What Have We LEARNED
We LEARN:
It is arrogant to say — to make plans apart from God.
Because we do not know what tomorrow will bring, our future is uncertain.
We are NOT in control of our lives.
We LEARN:
God is in control, and His will is Supreme which shapes everything in our lives.
It is right to put God and His will 1st when making plans.
To know this and not do it is a sin.
Oh, you did fantastic!
Once again, do you realize –
Nobody told you what the text says or means;
Nobody told you what to believe or think;
You didn’t guess or come up with speculations to answer the questions.
You LOOKED at what God said, and discovered what He means.
You Discovered Truth for Yourself!
Oh, are you hungry for more? I am and hope you are too!
Let’s View GODcha’s
#15 LIVE Questions
Engage With God
DO NOT SKIP THIS!
It will all have been a waste of time if you don’t hear and respond to God.
LISTEN…
15. Am I living my life by doing the Lord’s will?
a. What do I say regarding my plans?
b. Why do I make plans apart from the Lord?
c. Do I boast? Why? What do I boast about?
d. Do I know the right thing to do, yet do not do it?
e. How can I/or do I seek the Lord’s will? How does He reveal it to me? Do I do it?
Respond to God . . .LIVE it out!
Oh my goodness,
Have you had eyes to see?
Ears to hear?
Has the Spirit convicted you in any way?
Understand: If we live our lives the way God intended, then we will put Him 1st.
Okay, One Last Thing to Do
SUMMARIZE
To Wrap Up Chapter 4, GODcha directs us to 
Summarize the Chapter.
Come on, you know how to do this.
When you go through this process, thinking and reasoning God’s Truths, then God is able to seal Truth into your memory!
Try it on your own before you go any further. I will help you after you give it a shot! You can do this! I know you can!
Okay, let’s see how you did.
We determined the main points are:
v1-10 Pride is behind Conflicts and Worldliness.
Conflicts with others, within, and with God.
Love of the world causes conflicts.
Such ones are Adulteresses – enemies of God.
God is opposed to the proud
Humble yourself before God
v11-12 Pride is behind Slandering Others.
The command is Do NOT Speak Against another
God is The Only Lawgiver and Judge who Will Judge
v13-17 Pride Boasts About Tomorrow
Do NOT Make Plans Apart From God
To know the right thing to do and not do it is sin.
Now, THINK to Summarize.
What is the heart issue in all the paragraphs?
What is the solution to the heart issue?
Can you whittle the solution down to 4-6 words?
DO NOT Paraphrase! Use the Words God uses.
How Would You Summarize Chapter 4?
What about:
Pride=Worldliness, Conflicts, Slander, Boasting Bout Tomorrow
Or
Humble Yourself Before God
Humility is the cure for conflicts, worldliness, slander and making plans apart from God.
Awesome, you all!
I am so proud of you, and
I sincerely thank you for staying with us on this journey!
We took it slow purposely to show you how much you can discover if you are willing. I thank God you have been willing!
Are you amazed at how READING and re-reading helped bury God’s Word into your heads and hearts?
Are you amazed at what you have LEARNED and the intimate encounters you have had with your Lord?
Do you see more and more the importance of knowing God’s Word?
Do you realize, you have been disciplined to show yourselves approved unto God, (2Ti 2:15)?
I pray you will urge others to join in this discovery and do the same!
Chapter 4 is a Wrap!
Meditate on everything God is teaching you. “For the one who meditates on God’s Word is blessed,” (Psalm 1:1-2).
What have you learned about yourself?
Is there some action God is requiring of you?
Do you need to confess and repent?
Put this Review and Summary in Your Notes
If you will take the time to put this Review in your Notes you can return to it anytime and anywhere.
You will be so glad you did.
If short on time, copy and paste into your Notes.
Video Tutorial> Notes Tutorial >
Turn What We Have Learned Into Prayer
Perhaps. . .
GRACIOUS FATHER IN HEAVEN, we praise You and thank You that You are indeed Sovereign over our lives, over every circumstance that comes our way. We thank you for this portion of Scripture that is gently rebuking every single one of us. Father we come humbly before You, for we have sinned against You, as we see the outward signs of pride, and know we stand guilty before You! May your Word to us in this Chapter purify our minds so we will seek to obey all that You are commanding us. Oh, cleanse our hearts, to love You 1st and foremost. Do everything You need to do to wipe away any and all pride that is within us. Forgive us for any discord we have caused within the church family! Forgive us for any careless, critical accusations we have made against others! And forgive us for the many times we have made plans that left You out! Wrench us away from our plans, goals, and stuff that do not include You! We submit to You, the One True God, desiring to seek Your will, obey Your commands and follow Your leadership. May we live our lives for Your glory, to the praise of Christ, in whose name we pray! Amen!
Rest tomorrow and worship God!
Meet you in a couple of days to begin LOOKING @ James Chapter 5.
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