13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. 16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. 17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. (James 4:13-17 KJV)
Do Not Boast About Tomorrow
Here, we are warned against presumptuously assuming we control the future: “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’” (James 4:13). The phrase “Come now” is used to draw attention. The apostle urges people to reflect on their words and attitudes.
People often make plans without any thought of God. When we are consumed by worldly goals, they take over our thoughts. Much of people’s imagined happiness lies in their expectations of future success. But no one can be sure of tomorrow or any of the advantages they hope for.
They may plan to go to a city like Antioch or Alexandria to trade, but who can guarantee they’ll even arrive? Many have set out on trips only to meet death along the way. Even if they arrive, they may not be able to stay. Even if they stay, they may not be able to buy and sell. Even if they do, they may not profit—success is always uncertain. Life’s fragility should humble our plans: “What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (James 4:14). We don’t know what tomorrow holds. Life is short and uncertain, like a vapor—briefly seen, then gone. While we can predict the sun’s rising, we cannot predict the course of our own life. This fleeting nature of life should push us to prepare for the next one.
Instead, we ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that” (James 4:15). The apostle doesn’t just correct, but offers a better way. We should say this sincerely—in our hearts always, and with our lips when appropriate, especially in prayer. We must mean it, not say it out of habit. The Greeks often began endeavors with the phrase “with God’s permission.”
If the Lord wills, we shall live. Our lives are in God’s hands—He appoints both our lifespan and our circumstances. We must be submissive even concerning life itself.
If the Lord wills, we shall do this or that. All our plans are under God’s control. We may have ideas for our families or work, but God may overturn them. So we must submit our actions and intentions to Him.
We must also avoid boastful confidence in our plans: “As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil” (James 4:16). People often boast of plans and successes without acknowledging God. Some even boast about their intentions before any success is certain. This is not only foolish, but sinful. Boasting of worldly plans when we should be humbled before God (James 4:8–10) is evil. Such boasting invites God’s judgment, brings disappointment, and leads to ruin.
If we rejoice in God—knowing He controls time and events—that is good. But if we boast in ourselves, that is evil. Wise and godly people avoid such boasting.
Lastly, we are taught to act according to what we know is right: “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” (James 4:17). This follows from the teaching to say, “If the Lord wills.” Someone might say, “Of course we depend on God for everything.” But if they live in a way that denies this, their knowledge becomes a witness against them.
Omissions—failing to do the good we know—are sins, just as much as wrong actions are. Therefore, we must ensure our conscience is rightly informed and faithfully obeyed. “If our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God” (1 John 3:21). But if we say, “We see,” and don’t live accordingly, “your guilt remains” (John 9:41).