Humble Dependance | James 4

Written By Curtis Crow

We live in a world that loves to plan. We plan our careers, our vacations, our retirements, and even our meals down to the last detail. And let’s be honest—there’s nothing inherently wrong with being organized and forward-thinking. But James challenges us with a deeper question:

What happens when we make plans and forget God in the process?

This passage isn't an attack on preparation—it’s a warning against presumption. James confronts the arrogance of assuming we’re in control, reminding us that our lives are but a mist, here today and gone tomorrow. It’s a sobering reality, but one meant to wake us up—not scare us.

Verse-by-verse, here’s what James walks us through in chapter 4:

  • The arrogance of assumption (v.13) – when we create our plans and don’t consult God

  • The frailty of life (v.14) – how quickly things can change, life is fleeting

  • The wisdom of submission (v.15) – choosing to say “If the Lord wills” and truly mean it

  • The sin of self-confidence (v.16) – relying on our own strength instead of His

  • The sin of knowing and not doing (v.17) – when obedience is delayed, it becomes disobedience

We’ve all made plans and asked God to bless them after the fact. But James calls us to flip that pattern. What if we started with surrender instead of ending with it?

And maybe the most challenging part of this passage is verse 17. James reminds us that sin isn’t just doing wrong—it’s also knowing the right thing to do and refusing to do it. This can look a lot of different ways: putting off a hard conversation, ignoring a nudge from the Holy Spirit, or waiting for the “perfect time” to take a step of faith.

The point isn’t guilt—it’s grace. God isn’t after our perfect plan; He’s after our humble obedience. And Jesus models this perfectly. He gave up control, surrendered to the Father’s will, and walked to the cross—not for His sins, but for ours. And what looked like a failure became the greatest victory.

Maybe your plans didn’t turn out the way you hoped. Maybe you're holding onto a decision you know God is calling you to make. Let this passage—and this message—remind you: God’s will is better than anything we could script on our own.

Curtis Crow