Boasting

“So it is a sin for the person who knows to do what is good and doesn’t do it.”James‬ ‭4‬:‭17‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

Looking at the whole chapter we find James addressing judging others and boasting in arrogance. In light of these what does this scripture mean? James plainly explained that judging is God’s job, we know that yet we judge and therefore sin. Having studied law to an extent, judging actions to determine intent is one thing as opposed to merely assessing actions. We’re the actions sinful? We cannot judge intent as we do not see inside like God does. This is His domain. With regard the actions : did they harm us or Simone else? If yes then the actions need to be addressed. If not, what is all the fuss about?

With regard arrogant boasting: the very mention of it  supplies the answer. We do not have the domain of certainty outside of God. I can boast of God in my life but as to what I will do next year or even tomorrow, I cannot boast.

In light of both of these topics, if I go to the wrong place in what I say, I sin and need to repent. Last night I became angry with my old friend. She had abused the friendship, I told her so. Scripture tells me to be angry but do not sin. If I had gone to abuse I would have sinned. When she arrived late to have cream applied to her back my dog escaped because he had wanted to go out to play with the children on the road earlier and I would not allow it. When he returned he received a spanking.  I know I had the enemy after my mind all day, he was causing trouble between me and my friend. Did I rebuke him, no! That would have been clever. I was not being clever trying to deal with him on his turf, the mind. Today I must be prepared. He needs to be defeated. Who knows what God is trying to grow in my life and the life of my friend? I have been praying for more kindness to be developed in my life, perhaps this is the very lesson I am learning. If so, I failed yesterday. May I learn it today.