The Importance of Spiritual Health A study in the book of James

Is this what we are supposed to do? We like to plan Is this what we are supposed to do?

James 4:13-14 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.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 

3 Things that we do not know We don’t know the future We don’t know the length of our life We don’t know God’s will

James 4:15-16 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. 

The danger of being evil Boasting & bragging

Luke 12:16-21 Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17 He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ 18 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room

Luke 12:16-21 enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything

Luke 12:16-21 you worked for?’ 21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

The danger of being evil Boasting & bragging We are evil in our actions when we place our thoughts and actions above God’s That’s why it’s evil to put our will and planning over His

The right view of the future Trust God We have to seek His direction and will

James 4:17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

What do we need to learn for our spiritual health? We must keep God as the central point of every plan that we make. If He’s not the central point of our decision making process then we are only listening to what pleases ourselves. That when we know His plan, we have to do it.