James: Hands-On Christianity…. James 4:11-17

James introduces us to the most widely played game among Christians then and now…

To have our desires met, we basically have 2 choices:

“Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.” [TNIV] “Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.” [TNIV] James 4:11….

Imagine yourself as superior to other Christians, and put them down in various ways.

If you want to “Play God” with others, you need to “speak against” your brother or sister.

“Speak against” in Greek, “katalalei” … the idea of talking about one person to another with the goal of lowering your listener’s estimate of that third person.

… talk about those who are not around to defend themselves. …little concern about ACCURACY.

“You must judge others.” “Judge” Greek, “krineis” means….

“To judge” someone rightly, we must know all there is to know about that other person.

It requires the kind of complete understanding about a person’s thoughts and motives that only God possesses.

Jesus condemns a judgmental attitude!

Jesus and James are not saying that discernment isn’t necessary. They are only condemning the kind of critical attitude that seeks to condemn.

Another reason for not judging is that…. When we criticize others, we speak against the law and judge it. When we criticize others, we speak against the law and judge it.

The “law” James was probably referring to in James 4:11 is the “royal law” he quoted in James 2:8 that says…. “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right.” [TNIV] “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right.” [TNIV] James 2:8….

Commentator Curtis Vaughan explains... “The meaning is this: The man who deliberately breaks the law thereby disparages that law. …. “The meaning is this: The man who deliberately breaks the law thereby disparages that law. ….

… In effect he sets himself above it and declares that it is a bad law, not worthy to be obeyed. Such a person removes himself from the category of a doer of the law and becomes a judge of the law.” … In effect he sets himself above it and declares that it is a bad law, not worthy to be obeyed. Such a person removes himself from the category of a doer of the law and becomes a judge of the law.”

“There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy….” [TNIV] “There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy….” [TNIV] James 4:12a….

Two reasons why believers should avoid It places us in a position of authority reserved for God alone. It ignores or excuses our own failure.

“… But you – who are you to judge your neighbor?” [TNIV] “… But you – who are you to judge your neighbor?” [TNIV] James 4:12b….

That is, turning the spotlight away from others and putting its full force on ourselves.

“With shattering bluntness, James crushes any right his readers may have claimed to sit in judgment over their neighbors. ….

…. This is not to rule out civil courts and judges. Instead, it roots out the harsh, unkind, critical spirit that continually finds fault with others.”

Imagine yourself as the final authority over your life, then live like it.

“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.’ ” [TNIV] “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.’ ” [TNIV] James 4:13….

5 RULES we can infer from what James describes. Selfishly choose your own time and schedule – “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow….’ ”

Select the location that pleases you – “…. we will go to this or that city ….”

Limit your stay to please yourself – “…. spend a year there ….”

Arrange your activities so that they work primarily for your own benefit and pleasure – “…. carry on business ….”

Predict your success and boast about it – “…. and make money (a profit).”

The kind of horizontal thinking that presumptuously plans as though God did not even exit!

James lays down several reasons why we can never win at in our lives.

“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow….” [TNIV] “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow….” [TNIV] James 4:14a….

“Tomorrow’s circumstances are totally uncertain.”

“We have no assurance of a long life.” “We have no assurance of a long life.”

“What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes….” [TNIV] “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes….” [TNIV] James 4:14b….

“We have no right to ignore God’s will.” “We have no right to ignore God’s will.”

“Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that ….’ ” [TNIV] “Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that ….’ ” [TNIV] James 4:15….

“As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.” [TNIV] “As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.” [TNIV] James 4:16….

“So then, if you know the good you ought to do and don't do it, you sin.” [TNIV] “So then, if you know the good you ought to do and don't do it, you sin.” [TNIV] James 4:17….

What must we do to stop Simple rules….

Say this with me…. “I will let God be God, and I will to be whom I am – human, a believer, His child, and I am not God. So, I don’t want to play God. Amen!”