Jesus said, “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.” (Matthew 6:7). What did Jesus mean when He instructed us to “use not vain repetitions”?
My initial thought was that vain repetitions meant we shouldn’t say the same things over and over in prayer, or pray about the same things each time we come to God, but upon further research I realized that the phrase “use not vain repetitions” means so much more.
Praise before petitions
Charles Spurgeon wrote, “God does not need us to pray for his information”, as Matthew 6 continues on to say that God “knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” (v.8). Our prayers should bring praise to God before petitions.
Look more closely at that word vain: According to the Oxford Dictionary, vain is defined as “having or showing an excessively high opinion of one’s appearance, abilities, or worth”.
A secondary definition of the word Vain is “producing no result; useless”.
Pride has no place in prayer
Our prayers should not be about anything that we’re bringing to God, and if they are, then we’re doing it wrong. God doesn’t hear our prayers based on anything that we have or do. He is not impressed by how eloquent we speak or how well-articulated our words may be.
God hears our prayers because of His goodness to us.
With this in mind, I’d suggest that Jesus was saying we should beware lest our prayers are all talk and no heart.
Pride has no place in prayer.
Humility is a requirement for effective prayer
In My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers wrote that “We have become so self-centered that we go to God only for something from Him, and not for God Himself.”
If we were going to God for His will rather than our own, how much more effectively would our prayers be answered? After praise, our petitions are to be just that – our pleas, appeals, and requests to God.
Peter, in his eponymous epistle, implored believers to “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7).
If we want our prayers to be heard, we must approach God in humility.
Speaking a lot but saying nothing
According to Strong’s Concordance, “vain repetitions” is translated from the Greek word “battalogeó”, meaning to stammer, chatter, or to be long-winded.
“According to Strong’s Concordance, “vain repetitions” is translated from the Greek word “battalogeó”, meaning to stammer, chatter, or to be long-winded.”Hope Reflected
Repetitions in prayer are often vain, rendering them useless.
Spurgeon put it like this: “Christians’ prayers are measured by weight, and not by length. Many of the most prevailing prayers have been as short as they were strong.”
The “casting all your care upon him” that Peter wrote about comes from the Greek word “epiripsantes”, which literally means “to throw” or “to cast”. Throwing and casting are not activities that take a long time; these actions are completed almost instantly.
We should take care that our prayers are not needlessly long but rather to the point.
God is not interested in hearing us stammer on, speaking a lot but saying nothing.
Originally published as “Vain repetitions.” Independent Plus. July 28, 2022: 5. Print. Web.
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Please turn in your Bibles once again to 1 Peter 5. We are nearing the end of the chapter and our study of this powerful epistle. My plan after that is to get to a study of the book of Revelation, but unless you understand the major prophecies in the Hebrew Scriptures regarding the end times, you cannot understand Revelation. For that reason, we will begin a study of Daniel in a few weeks. I was going to just cover the prophecies in the book, however, Daniel also includes several great chapters of examples of standing firm on truth and doing what is right before God despite opposition and persecution, so I will be including them as well as a good follow-up to our study in 1 Peter.
The first four chapters of 1 Peter cover the reason for his letter to the believers in Asia Minor, modern day Turkey, in explaining their current suffering and enable them to respond in a godly manner to persecution that was to come. They needed to understand clearly their identity in Christ and God’s sovereignty in order to trust Him in the present and live full lives in the hope of Christ’s return despite current trials. God will keep all of His promises for the future. (See: 1 Peter Sermon Series)
1 Peter 5 is a change to themes that are more general but still vital to responding properly to suffering and persecution. Two weeks ago we covered verses 1-4 and Peter’s instructions to fellow elders on their calling and responsibility to shepherd those God had placed under their care. Elders must pursue ministry out of proper desire and motivation and in the proper manner. An elder’s own example of living in godliness is a very important aspect of teaching others. (See: Shepherding the Flock). In fact, from Paul’s descriptions of Elder qualifications in Titus 1 and 1 Timothy 3, unless an elder is a living example of godliness, he is not qualified for that position no matter how great his intelligence and oratory skills. I will add here my own strongly held opinion that those who are in para-church and inter-church ministries that lead and teach also need to meet these qualifications and standards of ministry set for elders. The character qualifications are those of being a mature Christian. The standards of proper desire, motivation and manner of ministry are necessary in being an example of godliness which is critical to leading and teaching God’s people regardless of the organizational structure in which it is done. Frankly, there are a lot of pastors out there and leaders in ministry organizations that do not meet these standards and it shows up in their pride and pettiness as they strive to build their own kingdoms instead of Christ’s. Don’t allow such people to influence you lest you become like them.
Last week we studied verses 5-7 and the necessity of humility in both salvation and in living the Christian life. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble, therefore humility is to be a major character trait of the Christian. He is to be clothed in it. Humility enables you to recognize and yield to God’s sovereign hand over the future. That, combined with His love proven in Jesus Christ, enables you to cast all of your worries on Him and experience peace that only He can give. You do not need to either know or control your future because the God who created and saved you from sin knows what is best for you and He will surely bring it to pass. You can humbly and joyfully yield to His will regardless of whatever circumstances may come upon you in this life. (See: The Necessity of Humility)
Today we will be examining verses 8-9 and Peter’s warning of and instructions concerning our adversary, the devil, who is behind the suffering and persecution Christians experience. Peter gives three commands in verses 8 & 9 which will be our focus this morning. I will be reading through verse 11 which completes Peter’s thought in this section.
8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. 10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. 11 To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Peter’s first command is to “be sober.” The meaning of the Greek term here, nhvfw / nāphō arises as a negative of intoxication with wine. It is the opposite of being drunk. From that arose the figurative senses of self control, restraint, awake and sober-minded. It is to be in control of how you think as opposed to losing control and being irrational (Louw-Nida), and how you think will control how you act, so to be sober also includes being calm and collected in spirit, temperate, dispassionate, circumspect (GELNT). Philo’s discussion of this word includes it being the antithesis to all kinds of mental fuzziness . . . which rests ultimately on the fact that in some form it sets the creaturely, the human ego, in the place which belongs to God alone (TDNT). The sober man will also recognize the evil wrought by intoxication.
Peter gave this same command earlier in 1 Peter 4:7, “The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.” He also uses it in a similar context of looking toward the end times in 1 Peter 1:13, “Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Paul also uses this same word in a similar context in 1 Thessalonians 5:6, 8 of being awake and sober in view of the coming return of Jesus and the events that surround that. Paul includes it in 2 Timothy 4:5 as part of his charge to Timothy to faithfully minister God’s word to people who may turn away from the truth and cause him hardship.
In the context here in 1 Peter 5:8 the command to be sober is part of what is needed to be able to endure suffering in a godly manner and be able to withstand the dangers that come from our adversary, the devil, as we will see in a few moments. Those who do not think clearly according to God’s word will be led astray by the temptations of their own desires (James 1:14) and the pressures of the world (1 John 2:15-17). This is an obvious problem in secular and liberal Christian circles who traded the truth of God for the musings of men a long time ago, but it is also a grave danger even in conservative Christian circles as the winds of aberrant and false doctrine blow through. Unless you are thinking clearly with self-control it is easy for both emotion and persuasive argument to lead you astray from truth. That is why so many things we have seen in our study of 1 Peter that should be obvious in living the Christian life seem to be foreign to a lot of self-professing Christians including the instructions given to elders and the necessity of humility we have seen in the last couple of weeks. If the Christian life really is about the glory of Christ and walking in trust of Him, why are so many Christian leaders motivated by material gain and positions of power along with seeking glory for themselves? Why are manifestations of pride more prevalent than lives of humility in seeking righteousness and what is best for the kingdom of Christ and the good of other believers? Being sober in spirit and mind is a major step toward correcting those problems and being prepared for spiritual warfare.
Peter’s second command is to be alert. The Greek word here, grhgorevw / grāgoreō , is to be in continuous readiness and alertness, to be awake, watchful, vigilant. Jesus used this word in Matthew 24:42 and 25:13 in conjunction with His parables concerning being continuously ready for His return since you do not know when He will return. You cannot risk being complacent or you could be caught unaware and suffer the consequences. Paul includes it in 1 Corinthians 16:13 as part of his general commands in concluding his letter, 13 “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love.” This is to be a general character trait of all Christians. In Matthew 26:41 Jesus ties this to the manner in which prayer is to be pursued since the spirit may be willing, but the flesh is weak. Paul does the same thing in Colossians 4:2 giving the command, “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.”
The command to be alert complements the command to be sober. Paul also combines the two in 1 Thessalonians 5:6. The command to be alert reveals the effort that will need to be made and gives a sense of urgency and application of the reason to be sober which is linked here immediately to the warning about our dangerous adversary, the devil. Paul links the need to be alert with prayer and spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6:18.
With so many commands to be spiritually alert, why then are so many professing Christians complacent or just plan lazy? In Revelation 3:2-3 Jesus even warns the church in Sardis,2 “Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. 3 So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you.” Certainly part of the reason for the complacency is that the imminent danger is not recognized even when ample warning is given over and over again, and that seems to be just part of human nature.
Growing up in California there were constant warnings to have emergency kits ready because it is only a matter of when, not if there will be an earthquake. Living on the East coast, there are similar consistent warnings given concerning hurricanes and nor’easters. Yet, few people heed the warnings. To me this moves from being just complacent or lazy into complete irresponsibility when it comes to hurricanes and blizzards because warnings are typically given days in advance of such a storm hitting an area. Yet, there are always many people that are caught completely unprepared and suffer severe consequences. Hurricanes Sandy and Katrina are classic examples of this with people even doing the opposite of what they needed to do to protect themselves and their property. While it is good to help people who suffer tragedy, I find it personally irritating to have my tax dollars paid out to compensate people when their loss is due to their own irresponsibility and foolishness.
The warning Peter gives here in 1 Peter 5:8 is much more serious than public service announcements to be prepared for a natural disaster. You must be sober and you must be on the alert for “Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
I have spoken many times about spiritual warfare with whole sermon series devoted to it, so I will not be going into any great depth about Satan in this sermon other than the particular warnings Peter gives here. Please check the links on the webpage for extensive teachings on this subject (Spiritual Warfare). What Peter states here is enough to warn of the great need to be prepared, for Satan is very dangerous.
Satan is the personal name given to this evil being Peter is taking about here. That name occurs 54 times in the Scriptures from Job to Revelation. According to Ezekiel 28:11-19, Satan was created full of wisdom and was perfect in beauty at creation (vs 12). He was in the garden of Eden adorned by precious stones (vs. 13). He was the “anointed Cherub who covers” and was on the holy mountain of God (vs. 14). Satan was blameless until unrighteousness was found in him (vs.16). He was internally filled with violence, and so was cast from the mountain of God. The corruption of Satan’s wisdom was caused by pride over his beauty, and so he was cast down (vs 17). Isaiah 14:3-15 reveals the boasting of his pride in five “I will” declarations. 1) I will ascend to heaven; 2) I will raise my throne above the stars of God, 3) I will sit on the mount of assembly in the recesses of the north. 4) I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; 5) I will make myself like the most High. This evil being wants to usurp God and thinks that somehow he will be able to accomplish it.
Satan is known by many names with each one giving another facet of who he is, his character and the danger he poses. The first name Peter uses for him is adversary, ajntivdikoV / antidikos, meaning an “opponent at law.” It is used in that literal sense in the LXX in Proverbs 18:17, “The first to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and examines him.” This legal sense is used in Revelation 12:10 which calls Satan “the accuser of the brethren.” That describes him as an opponent at law in the role of a prosecuting attorney. In contrast to him is 1 John 2:1 in which Jesus is called “an Advocate with the Father.” These terms set a scene of a court room in which God the Father is the judge, Satan is the prosecuting attorney, you are the defendant, and Jesus is your defense attorney. (Christians are blessed to have a good Jewish lawyer at their side!).
The second name Peter uses is the devil, diavboloV / diabolos, which means slanderer and refers to someone who makes false charges or misrepresentations which defame and damage another’s reputation. In John 8:44 Jesus said the devil is a liar and the father of lies and slander is just a specific type of lying. While the devil is certainly a slanderer of people for Jesus warned that the righteous will be slandered, the devil’s main target is God Himself for that is critical in his efforts to influence people to disobey God.
The devil’s slander of God to Eve in Genesis 3 is a pattern he continues to use on people. He begins by misquoting God’s command. Next he directly contradicts God’s command. Finally, he accuses God of not wanting what is best for Eve and enticing her with her natural desires for food, beauty and wisdom. People do not believe and trust God because they believe the devil’s slanders against Him which then fit within their own corrupt desires. Not only Peter’s letter here, but a large part of all the epistles are designed to counteract the devil’s slander against God by declaring the truth for truth is the antidote for lies. People who were already suffering could easily be persuaded that God did not love or care about them unless they were told and reminded about the truth of what God had done in bringing about their salvation, why following His commands was better for them, and His promises concerning the future. If you are having a hard time believing and trusting God, then make a diligent search for truth for that will expose and counteract the slander against Him you have been led to believe. The better you know the truth and God, the more you will trust and obey Him.
Other names given to this evil being include the following: The “prince of this World” (John 12:31), “the prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2), and “the god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4). All of these titles tell us that his domain is this world. Satan is also “Beelzebul,” the lord of the flies or the prince of demons (Luke 11:15). He has an army to do his bidding as described in Ephesians 6:12. In Isaiah 14:12 he is called Lucifer which means “the shining one” and is a reference to his original state as the anointed cherub who covers (Ezekiel 28:14). His name “Satan” is from the Hebrew (Zechariah 3:1) and means “adversary” or “opposer” for he opposes God and God’s people (Zechariah 3:1-2, Luke 22:31,32). He is called the “Old Serpent” in Revelation 12:9 which refers to Genesis 3 and his role in the downfall of man. Revelation 12 also calls him the “Great Dragon” & “Great Red Dragon” as he seeks to destroy Christ and devastate God’s people. The name, “Appollyon,” is used for him in Revelation 9:11 which signifies him as the destroyer, for he is the one who seeks to destroy both spiritual and physical life. Most fitting of his character is the name used in 1 John 5:18 which simply calls him the “Evil One.” Other names indicate his activity: Tempter (Matthew 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:5), Accuser (Revelation 12:10), Deceiver (Revelation 20:3), and the Spirit that now works in the Sons of Disobedience (Ephesians 2:2). Satan is also described as a murderer (John 8:44), a liar (John 8:44), a confirmed and practicing sinner (1 John 3:8), and the opposer of the righteous (1 Peter 5:8).
How dangerous is Satan? His various names and descriptions already indicate he is very dangerous. Peter’s graphic description here makes the danger easily understandable to those to whom he was writing. He “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Even those who had never seen a lion would understand what was being described because lions and lion like creatures were so common in the stories, fables and mythology that were eventually recorded in ancient Greek and middle-eastern literature. Lions are animals of strength and violence with their roaring a cause of terror. Amos 3:8 puts it plainly, “A lion has roared, who will not fear?” The roaring of a lion is often associated with being hungry such as in Psalm 104:21, “The young lions roar after their prey And seek their food from God.” They will prowl around in the search for food. Peter uses that imagery here of Satan prowling around like a lion. Job 1:7 describes Satan roaming about on the earth and walking around on it. This is not aimless wandering. Satan is like a lion searching for food, prowling to find a victim to devour, swallow up, destroy.
In his book, The Screwtape Letters, C. S. Lewis suggested in the dialogue that one of the two major mistakes Christians make in dealing with Satan is to ignore him as if he was of no consequence. That is the origin of the jokes about him. Peter is shouting out here to wake up and pay attention! We are involved in a spiritual battle with a very dangerous adversary!
The other major mistake is to focus too much on Satan as if he were the cause of all calamity. Peter gives a very direct command on how to deal with him properly in the next verse. Satan is very dangerous, and especially so for the non-Christian, but God has equipped the Christian to deal with him simply and effectively.
“But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.” The command here is to resist, ajnqivsthmi / atnthistāmi, which is a word that encompasses both the idea of refusing to yield to pressure as in withstand and set against, and also an active pushing back as in oppose and even fight back against. In Acts 6 & 7 this word is used to describe those arguing with Stephen in the Synagogue as not able to resist in the sense of withstand his wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. They had to resort to making false accusations against him in order to eliminate him and the danger he posed to their system of false beliefs. In 2 Timothy 3:8 this word is used to describe the active opposition of Jannes and Jambres, the two Egyptian magicians that opposed Moses, as examples of those who have depraved minds and oppose the truth. Satan is an adversary that you must actively withstand and oppose. The devil is seeking to devour and he will eat those who are passive.
How do you resist the devil? Peter ties the command to resist with a firm faith. Firm here, stereovV / stereos, is used for objects and materials that are stiff, hard, rigid, and of inner dispositions of belief and attitude that are firm, true, stubborn and even obstinate. It is something that is very resistant to being changed. Since the word faith here has the article, The LSB & NKJV better translate this as “firm in the faith,” which makes this a reference to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. That faith remains firm even if your own is weak. Your part is to be firm in the faith by aligning what you believe about God, what He has done and His will with truth which include Peter’s instructions in this letter. Hold fast to them and do not be swayed by the devil’s slanders such as the suffering you are experiencing is proof that God does not love or care about you. The proof of God’s love was demonstrated by Christ at Calvary and that would be enough even He did nothing more than that, but He does much more causing you to be born again, giving you purpose in life that transcends the temporal, and His many promises related to Jesus’ return.
It should be noted that James 4:7 gives the exact same command to resist the devil with it also following a reminder that “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble,” and instructions therefore to submit to God. Resisting the devil begins with being humble to submit to God. That is also the proper balance in understanding what is important in spiritual warfare. The devil is recognized as a real and dangerous adversary, but God is the proper focus in being able to live a life of righteousness. The ability of a plowman to plow a straight furrow is keeping his eyes fixed on his ending point and refusing to be distracted by whatever is to his sides or behind him (Luke 9:62). Keep your focus on Christ.
James 4:7 also reveals the devil’s response as you submit to God and resist him. He will flee from you. The devil can roar like a lion all he wants, but if you are in submission to God and resist him, he is a scared cat. If you are not in submission to God and resisting him, then he is a dangerous lion and you should be scared.
In Ephesians 6:10-18 Paul gives additional instructions on resisting the devil. Let me briefly point these out to you as I quickly work my way through that passage. Check the link in the posting of this sermon on the website for a sermon series on this passage. (See: The Armor of God – Ephesians Sermon Series)
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Note first that spiritual warfare is fought in the strength of the Lord and not your own. That is why submission to God must come before resisting the devil. Second, God has provided you the armament to be able to stand firm against the devil’s schemes, his various methods of deception, but you must put it on for it to do you any good.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. This is an important reminder that our real enemy is Satan and the demonic hoard that follows him. People, even those who are pawns in Satan’s hands, are the mission field. This verse also reveals Satan’s forces are organized to influence even the highest levels of human governments.
13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. When something is repeated, it is important, and when it is presented as the reason for action, it is very important. In this verse Paul repeats both his instructions to put on the full armor of God and to resist in the evil day and stand firm as the reason for it. In the next verse for the third time Paul speaks of standing firm, but this time it is as a command. This will be followed by descriptions of six pieces of equipment which make up the full armor of God followed by a related action. I will quickly comment on each.
14 “Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth.” The belt holds the breastplate in place and provides a place to carry the sword. The belt of truth is essential in the Christian life and spiritual warfare. The Father is the God of truth (Psalm 31:5), Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6), the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth (John 15:26), and God’s word is truth (John 17:17). Truth counteracts all of Satan’s lies and slander.
“and having put on the breastplate of righteousness.” The breastplate protected all the vital organs of the abdomen. The will was equated with the heart and the gut with emotions. Righteousness is the means to protect both. The will decides what is and what is not important and sets the direction of life. Uncontrolled emotions can destroy you, but when righteousness controls and guides your emotions, they are great blessings, both the positive and negative ones.
15 “. . . and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” A Roman soldier’s shoes had hobnobs that helped his feet grip the ground so that he would not slip and therefore were essential pieces of equipment. The gospel of peace enables us to keep from slipping when the tribulations of life could cause uncertainty and therefore fear and turmoil. Paul begins his discussion in Romans 5 with the statement that “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” and then explains how we can exult in our tribulations knowing they bring about perseverance, proven character, hope and a sure grounding in the love of God proven by Jesus Christ at Calvary.
16“. . . in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” The devil will certainly be shooting his fiery darts of lies and slander toward you, but having a solid faith in God protects you from all of them. The greater your faith, the more effective your shield will be. That is why it is so important that you learn God’s word for yourself so that growing in knowledge of Him will increase your faith.
17 “And take the helmet of salvation.” The helmet protected the head and all within and on it which would be your brain and your sensory organs of eyes, ears, nose and mouth. Salvation by God’s grace through faith in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ converts you into a new creation in Him. You are transformed as your mind is renewed (Rom. 12:2) and every thought is taken captive to obedience to Christ (1 Cor. 10:5) resulting in you both thinking differently and perceiving the world differently.
“. . . and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” The Bible is both an offensive and defensive weapon. The Psalmist hid God’s word in his heart so that he would keep his way pure and not sin against God. Hebrews 4:12 describes the word of God as “living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Verse 18 is the manner in which the armor of God is to be put on.18 “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.” A fitting and concluding reminder that spiritual warfare is fought in the strength of the Lord and not your own, so you had better be in prayer for yourself and other believers.
Peter concludes his command to resist the devil, firm in faith, with a reminder that what they were experiencing and his exhortations to them were nothing new and nothing unique to them. “. . . knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.” In hearing the gospel they would have heard about the suffering of Christ which Peter pointed out in 2:21 and 4:13. They were also aware of the suffering already being experience by some among them (1:6). They would also have known, or should have known, about the suffering of the early church that caused the gospel to spread from whoever preached the gospel to them. The strong reaction of the pagans against Christians that had occurred in Ephesus (Acts 19) perhaps a decade earlier was in the area of those to whom Peter was writing.
There is no comfort knowing that other people are suffering since basic Christian compassion would create sympathy for such people (Romans 12:15). However, there is a comfort in knowing others have successfully gone through similar experiences as what you are going through. That is one of the reasons Jesus pointed out in Matthew 5:10-12 that there can be a blessing in suffering for the sake righteousness since the prophets were persecuted in the same way before you. They are an inspiration to you. That is the comfort Peter is giving here.
Conclusions
All people need to be clear thinking and alert because Satan is a very dangerous adversary to all of humanity. He is called the devil because of his slander against God which is a major influence on people to reject God and pursue sin. As the father of lies, he also slanders people, and especially those who strive to walk in righteousness as a means of destroying them. Christians who are in submission to God need not fear the devil because all they need to do is resist him and he will flee, yet they also need to be clear thinking and alert lest they fall for one of Satan’s many schemes. They can ensure that they will stand firm by putting on the whole armor of God.
Those who are not in submission to God are subject to Satan’s trickery and being devoured by him for he will lead them farther astray from truth and righteousness on a downward path to sin. Repentance from sin and faith in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ is the only solution and protection from Satan.
Sermon Notes – April 30, 2023 Resisting the Devil – 1 Peter 5:8-9
Introduction
1 Peter 1-4 explains their current suffering & enables them to respond in a _______manner to coming persecution
1 Peter 5:1-4 are instructions to _________concerning proper desire, motivation and manner of ministry
Those who do not meet the qualifications for an elder should not be pastors or ________of para-church ministries
1 Peter 5:5-7 explains the necessity of ___________for salvation and living the Christian life
1 Peter 5:8-9 are Peter’s warnings and instructions concerning our very ____________adversary, the devil
They would have been aware of the __________ of other believers in the present and the past
Examples of other successfully going through something similar is an encouragement to _____________
Conclusions
Be sober minded & alert for the devil is __________ unless you are in ___________ to God to resist him
KIDS KORNER Parents, you are responsible to apply God’s Word to your children’s lives. Here is some help. Young Children – draw a picture about something you hear during the sermon. Explain your picture(s) to your parents at lunch. Older Children – Do one or more of the following: 1) Write down all the verses mentioned in the sermon and look them up later. 2) Count how many times the devil is referred to. 2) Discuss with your parents the reasons the devil is dangerous and how submission to God removes that danger.
THINK ABOUT IT! Questions to consider in discussing the sermon with others. The scriptures are clear on the qualifications for an elder – 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4. What should the qualifications be for those that oversee a para-church or “inter-church” ministry that includes Bible teaching? Explain. What is the importance of humility in church leadership? What does it mean to “be sober” in 1 Peter 5:8? Explain. What does it mean to “be alert” in 1 Peter 5:8? Explain. How does being sober and alert prepare you handling spiritual warfare? What are the dangers if you are not sober and alert? Why then are so many Christians complacent about the dangers of the devil? What specifically to the names “adversary” and “devil” as applied to Satan mean? Why is God the major target of Satan’s slander? There are many additional names given to Satan as listed above. What do these names reveal about Satan and the danger he poses? What is the danger of a roaring lion? In what ways would the devil “devour” a human? According to C. S. Lewis, What are the two major mistakes made by humans in dealing with the devil? What is the firmness of the faith? What is the relationship of that with resisting the devil? What is the key component of resisting the devil (James 4:7)? What are some practical ways in which the devil can be resisted? What is the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) and why is it important? If our battle is not against flesh & blood, who is it against and how do we deal with the flesh & blood manifestations of spiritual war? List out each piece of spiritual armor God provides and explain its importance? Do you have your spiritual armor on? If not, what dangers do you face? How does having an example of someone who has gone through something similar to your own experience help you?
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1 Peter 5:8, often cited as a key verse in seminary lectures on spiritual warfare, emphasizes the need for believers to be alert and sober-minded, as their adversary, the devil, seeks to devour them. The passage highlights the devil’s role as a prowling lion, constantly looking for opportunities to attack and destroy. Seminary lectures often delve into the context of suffering and persecution, emphasizing that this warning is not just for church leaders, but for all Christians. [1, 2]
Key points often discussed in seminary lectures on 1 Peter 5:8: [1, 2, 3]
Spiritual Warfare: The verse is a foundational text for understanding the reality of spiritual warfare and the ongoing conflict between believers and the forces of evil. [1, 1, 2, 2]
The Devil’s Tactics: Lectures often explore the devil’s tactics, likening him to a roaring lion who uses stealth, deception, and intimidation to attack and devour. [1, 1, 2, 2]
The Importance of Alertness and Sobriety: Seminary students learn that believers must be vigilant and clear-minded to resist the devil’s schemes. This includes resisting temptation and remaining steadfast in their faith. [1, 1, 3, 3]
The Context of Suffering: The verse is often presented within the context of persecution and suffering, highlighting that believers are not exempt from trials and that spiritual alertness is crucial in such times. [1, 1, 4, 4]
Resisting the Devil: Lectures emphasize that resisting the devil is not a passive endeavor but requires active engagement, including submitting to God and resisting temptation. [5, 5]
God’s Provision: While emphasizing the dangers of the devil, lectures also highlight God’s provision and power to protect and strengthen believers, as seen in the following verses. [2, 2, 4, 4]
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into this or that town and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.” You do not know about tomorrow. What is your life like? For you are a puff of smoke that appears for a short time and then vanishes. You ought to say instead, “If the Lord is willing, then we will live and do this or that.” But as it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows what is good to do and does not do it is guilty of sin.
Unfortunately, planning is at times looked down upon in some Christian circles as though believers should simply live by faith or be led by the Spirit—meaning that we should simply trust God without giving much thought to planning or preparation. Sometimes this is emphasized in the preaching of sermons, the planning of church services, or even in considering retirement. However, this view does not fully embrace what Scripture teaches about planning and preparation and also what it means to depend on God. Because believers trust God and realize they are stewards of his many gifts, they should plan. We plan, so we can best use the gifts he has given us for his glory. Proverbs 21:5 says this, “The plans of the diligent lead only to plenty, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” If we are hasty, meaning we don’t take time to plan for the day or the future, we won’t be very profitable, and we’ll spoil the gifts and opportunities that God gives us.
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In this text, James challenges these Jewish Christian businessmen about how they were planning for the future. In James 4:13, he says, “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into this or that town and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.’” By using the term, “Come now,” he was essentially saying, “Listen up!” or “Pay attention!” It was common Old Testament prophetic language.1 In Isaiah 1:18, Isaiah said, “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”
These Jewish Christian businessmen, who had been scattered throughout the ancient world because of persecution, were making intricate plans. In their planning, they tackled the when (tomorrow), the who (we), the where (this or that town), how long (a year), the what (business), and the why (for profit). However, their planning was amiss, so he corrects them, so they can honor God in their business and bring greater glory to him.
Secular versus Spiritual
As we consider planning, we must first note that, for James, there was no separation between the secular and the spiritual. Often, Christians focus on their “spiritual life” to the neglect of their work life, school life, and family life. Or, they focus on their “secular life” to the neglect of their “spiritual life.” However, in Scripture, there is no separation between the two. By addressing this issue, James says that how these merchants planned and conducted their business ventures was important to God, and this is true for all our endeavors as well, which is why we must plan. We plan, so we can be profitable in our labors and bring glory to God. Colossians 3:23-24 says, “Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people, because you know that you will receive your inheritance from the Lord as the reward. Serve the Lord Christ.” In all our labors, we are serving the Lord and will ultimately be rewarded or judged by him. There should be no difference between the “secular” and the “spiritual” for Christians.
Therefore, in this study of James 4:13-17, we will consider how to plan God’s way, as to bring the optimum profitability and honor to God from our endeavors.
Big Question: In considering James 4:13-17, what principles can we learn about planning God’s way—in order to bring glory to God?
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To Plan God’s Way, We Must Avoid Neglecting God in Our Planning
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into this or that town and spend a year there and do business and make a profit… But as it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
When the merchants discussed their plans, they didn’t say anything wrong as they considered the who, where, what, why, and how of their next steps. The problem was with what they did not say, as God and his will were left out of their plans. He was never mentioned. In fact, in verse 16, James says, “But as it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.” It is clear that these Christians were not only planning but boasting in their previous and future successes. They planned apart from God and thought they could accomplish their plans without him. However, Psalm 127:1-2 says, “If the Lord does not build a house, then those who build it work in vain. If the Lord does not guard a city, then the watchman stands guard in vain.” If our plans neglect God, they are in vain, even if they seem to produce a profit. In John 15:5, Christ said that apart from him, we can do nothing—meaning nothing spiritually good or acceptable to God.
No doubt, when these Jewish Christian businessmen were first persecuted and forced to move to new cities, they relied on God, quite a bit (cf. Jam 1:1). But, after life had settled down and they started to have some successes, they probably started to neglect him and focus on worldly pursuits. This is why in the context James rebuked them for their worldliness, as he called them spiritual adulterers and said their friendship with the world was enmity with God (Jam 4:4). Life had turned into, “What can I achieve and get for myself?” instead of, “How can I serve God and others?” Surely, they occasionally prayed, but instead of seeking God’s will, it was probably simply to ask his blessings over their plans. James 4:3 says, “you ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, so you can spend it on your passions.” Even their prayers were selfish and all about their profit!
Sadly, we are often the same way, as we focus on achieving our desires and dreams, without truly considering God’s plans and kingdom. Kent Hughes’ comments on this are penetrating. He said:
They were so like us. We are such children of our times that we cannot conceive it would ever be God’s will that we not become rich and prosperous. Sadly, we have often advised our children the same way: “Be sure you get into a profession where you will make a good living, son, so you won’t have to struggle like I did.” Some have even objected to their children going into Christian work because it is not lucrative. Despite Christian trappings and evangelical nods, we often live without serious reference to God’s will. This is practical atheism.2
Hughes’ comment about practical atheism is a very apt description of how many Christians live. Intellectual atheism means professing to not believe in God. However, when talking to atheists, one will often find that they live like theists. They will say things like, “Well, I just believe everything happens for a purpose!” When hearing something like that, the natural question is, “Why? Why do you believe everything happens for a purpose, especially if you don’t believe in God?” See, though many profess atheism, they live as practical theists—living as though some higher power or energy is ordering things for their good. Likewise, many Christians who profess to believe in God live as practical atheists. They profess Christ, go to church, and even read their Bibles but on a daily, practical level, including their work, family, and planning for the future, their professed belief really doesn’t guide them. They live a contradiction. They profess Christ but depend solely on themselves and their hearts as their guide, apart from God, which is what these Jewish Christian businessmen were doing.
This has been James’ major theme throughout the whole book. True faith must affect how we live (cf. Jam 1:22, 26-27, 2:14-26). If our faith doesn’t produce works, including how we plan, then it is not real. For this reason, we must avoid planning like the world—considering only things such as the number of “likes” we will get on social media, how much money we will make, and how to move up the corporate ladder. If we build a house, a business, or a future, and God doesn’t build with us, we build in vain (Ps 127:1). When we plan, we must not neglect God.
Application Question: What is “practical atheism” as Kent Hughes mentioned, and why is it so common in the church, especially in planning for the future? In what ways do you commonly neglect God in your daily or future planning, and how is he challenging you to seek him more?
To Plan God’s Way, We Must Recognize the Foolishness of Relying Solely on Human Wisdom and Strength
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into this or that town and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.” You do not know about tomorrow. What is your life like? For you are a puff of smoke that appears for a short time and then vanishes.
Observation Question: What human limitations to our planning does James refer to in James 4:13-14?
In James 4:13-14, James teaches these Jewish Christian businessmen why it was unwise to neglect God in their planning. (1) Though they could make projections, these businessmen could not predict the future because of the complexity and uncertainty of life. In verse 14, James says, “You do not know about tomorrow.” They couldn’t accurately predict what would happen the next day and certainly not what would happen in a year. There are so many complexities in life: People might experience a major sickness which limits them physically, like broken bones, cancer, or multiple sclerosis. They could lose their job. The stock market could crash. There could be a major war or natural disaster, like a pandemic, that drastically changes life as we know it. It is foolish to neglect God in our planning, since there are so many unforeseen complexities and uncertainties in life.
(2) In addition, it is foolish to neglect God in planning because of the brevity of life. In 4:14, James says, “What is your life like? For you are a puff of smoke that appears for a short time and then vanishes.” He compared life to smoke or a vapor that goes up into the air and quickly dissipates. In Psalm 90:10, Moses said, “The days of our lives add up to seventy years, or eighty, if one is especially strong. But even one’s best years are marred by trouble and oppression. Yes, they pass quickly and we fly away.” He said most will live to their seventies and only eighties and beyond if they are especially strong. The years of life pass quickly. Some have even joked that when you get old, life is like a roll of toilet paper, it goes even faster the closer you get to the end.
Since life is so short, it is even more important for our plans to involve God and be guided by him. Some won’t live past high school, others college. Some will only make it to their thirties or forties. Whatever time frame God gives us, we must plan wisely, so we can maximize it for the kingdom. Christ only lived into his early thirties, but during that time, he laid the foundation for turning the world upside down. Moses didn’t really get on fire for God until his eighties, but he maximized that last part of his life for the kingdom. To neglect God in our planning is to waste our lives. Many of us can look back at earlier years we regrettably wasted as far as profitability for the kingdom.
One of Solomon’s conclusions in the book of Ecclesiastes as he considered all of life was to remember God in one’s youth. In Ecclesiastes 12:1, he said, “So remember your Creator in the days of your youth—before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you will say, ‘I have no pleasure in them.’” Again, this was one of his primary conclusions after considering the vanity of life. He said, “Don’t waste your younger years! Dedicate them to the Lord and plan to use them to the best of your ability, by God’s grace!”
Likewise, Moses, in considering the complexity and brevity of life, in Psalm 90:12 (NIV), prayed this: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” He prayed for the ability to understand the brevity of life, so he could be wise with his time—redeeming it for the glory of God. When one realizes how scarce something is, it becomes more valuable and we become more particular about how we handle it. Rocks aren’t valuable because we have an abundance of them, but gold, diamonds, and jewels are valuable because they are rare. Because of how rare they are, we just don’t walk around with them in our pocket or play with them outside. They are too valuable. Likewise, when we understand how valuable and rare our time is, then we’ll be more prone to prayerfully plan to use it instead of wasting it. Our lives are like the vapor, quickly dissipating in the air.
James points out our human limitations to show us how foolish it is to trust in human wisdom and strength alone. Proverbs 28:26 says, “The one who trusts in his own heart is a fool.” Jeremiah 17:5 says, “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.”
Are we trusting in ourselves, the counsel of parents, or society alone? If so, it is foolish. God created us, loves us, and wants to guide us. We should seek him and seek to be guided by him, which leads to our next point.
Application Question: Why is it so important to recognize our human limitations, especially our limited wisdom and the brevity of life, so we can plan better? If you could redeem a specific period of your past, what would it be, why would you change it, and how would you change it?
To Plan God’s Way, We Must Seek, Trust, and Obey God’s Will
You ought to say instead, “If the Lord is willing, then we will live and do this or that.” … So whoever knows what is good to do and does not do it is guilty of sin.
James says to these businessmen that instead of boasting of what they will and will not do (v. 13, 16), they should say, “If the Lord is willing, then we will live and do this or that” (v. 15). This was common language that Paul used when planning. In Acts 18:21, he said, “I will come back to you again if God wills.” Likewise, in 1 Corinthians 4:19, he said, “But I will come to you soon, if the Lord is willing.” With that said, James was not referring to a formula that we should constantly use in our planning or speech, though it is good practice. He ultimately referred to our manner of heart in everything we do. As believers, everything we do should be centered on God’s will.
Application Question: What does James’ challenge to say, “If the Lord is willing,” mean for our planning?
1. The statement, “If the Lord is willing,” challenges us to discern God’s will as we plan.
Interpretation Question: How do we discern God’s will?
We discern God’s will by studying and obeying his Word.
David said that God’s Word was a lamp unto his feet and a light unto his path (Ps 119:105). When meditating on God’s Word (Ps 1:2), it was like the lights were on, and he could better discern direction. (1) In Scripture, God tells us directly what to do or not to do when it comes to moral issues. We should not lie by exaggerating the truth on our resume. We shouldn’t cheat on our taxes. We should not seek vengeance on those who hurt us. Whatever we do, we must work heartily at it because we’re ultimately serving God and he will reward us (Col 3:23). (2) In addition to telling us directly what to do or not to do, God’s Word gives us many principles to guide us in decision making, such as avoiding things that might not be sinful, but that might cause a weaker believer to stumble. Romans 14:21 says, “It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything that causes your brother to stumble.” (3) Also, another biblical principle for decision making is that as we obey God’s general will as taught in God’s Word, he will often clearly reveal his specific will—such as who to marry, what job to take, etc. Consider the following verses: Psalm 25:14 says, “The Lord’s loyal followers receive his guidance, and he reveals his covenantal demands to them.” When we are loyal, by obeying God’s Word, we receive his guidance. Mark 4:24-25 says,
And he said to them, “Take care about what you hear. The measure you use will be the measure you receive, and more will be added to you. For whoever has will be given more, but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.”
If we faithfully obey what God teaches us, he will give us more knowledge. So, we discern God’s will by knowing and obeying Scripture.
We discern God’s will by prayer.
In James 1:5, James said, “But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him.” In planning for our career, family, and even daily endeavors, believers should pray for God’s guidance. When Christ chose his twelve apostles, he spent the whole night in prayer (Lk 6:12-13). As we pray, God will guide us in a variety of ways; however, even when he does not give us clear direction, which will be most times, we can trust that he is guiding us, as we make our decisions. First John 5:14-15 says,
And this is the confidence that we have before him: that whenever we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in regard to whatever we ask, then we know that we have the requests that we have asked from him.
Is it God’s “will” to guide his children? Certainly! Romans 8:14 says, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God.” God wants to guide his children and does so through a myriad of ways. Therefore, in decision making, we shouldn’t become paralyzed when God’s will is not clear. Most times, it won’t be. We should pray, study God’s Word, seek godly counsel, wait, then make a decision, as we trust and rely on God.
We discern God’s will by what God is doing in our hearts.
Philippians 2:12-13 says, “… continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence, for the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort—for the sake of his good pleasure—is God.” God works in us by giving us “desires”—for a certain job, ministry, activity, or even person. He also gives us the “effort” or ability to accomplish these things. Therefore, though our heart is deceitful (Jer 17:9), it is a medium which God often uses to guide us. This is why it is so important for us to be in God’s Word and prayer, so God can guide our hearts instead of Satan, the world, or our flesh. God often will specifically guide our hearts through peace or lack of it. Colossians 3:15 says, “Let the peace of Christ be in control in your heart.” “Control” can also be translated “rule” or “decide.” It was used of an umpire in an athletic game deciding on the winner. Likewise, God may guide us to or away from certain paths based on peace or lack of peace.
We discern God’s will by getting godly counsel.
Proverbs 11:14 says, “there is success in the abundance of counselors.” Often God will guide us through the counsel of other godly saints. In fact, we’re encouraged to talk to many people. There is success in the “abundance of counselors.”
We discern God’s will by God’s sovereign control over events.
Scripture clearly teaches that God is in control of everything and using everything for our ultimate good (Rom 8:28). Ephesians 1:11 says, he “accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will.” Often God will guide us through circumstances, including open or closed doors. A closed door will often be God saying, “No” or “Not yet.” An open door, if not a clear “Yes,” is at least an indication to investigate further.
In our planning, we must first discern God’s will, which he reveals through many ways, including studying and obeying Scripture, prayer, his work in our hearts, godly counsel, and his sovereignty over events.
What else does James’ challenge to say, “If the Lord is willing,” say about how we should plan?
2. The statement, “If the Lord is willing,” challenges us to not only discern God’s will, but also to trust God’s will, as we plan.
As mentioned, because of human limitations, we don’t know what will happen in the future, but that doesn’t deliver us from our need to prayerfully forecast and plan. However, when we plan, we must realize that God is ultimately in control and his plans are best. Often his plans won’t be fully revealed until the event is done. He will open doors, close doors, change our hearts, or change other people’s hearts. This can be difficult in planning, especially as we’ve prayed, sought wise counsel, and possibly thought we had discerned God’s will. Sometimes, people are tempted to get mad at God or complain when their plans fall apart or God closes doors. This is why it is so important to not only seek God’s will in planning but trust God. Proverbs 3:5 says: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.” God’s ways are not our ways, and our ways are not God’s ways (Is 55:8-9). God’s ways are greater than ours because he is all-knowing, all-wise, all-powerful, and perfectly righteous. We must trust God when his revealed will doesn’t seem to make sense, is undesirable, and/or is painful. Christ models this in Luke 22:42 when he prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Yet not my will but yours be done.” He was declaring his ultimate trust in God, though it meant his going to the cross. We must do the same. We must resolve to not only seek to discern God’s will but to trust it, even when it hurts or is undesirable.
One of the ways we demonstrate our trust is by worshiping God and giving him thanks instead of complaining or getting angry. When Job suffered, he said, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust him” (Job 13:15 KJV). He also said, “The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. May the name of the Lord be blessed!” (Job 1:21). Likewise, in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul said, “in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Certainly, there is an appropriate time for mourning and lament when evil events happen in our life or the world. However, even lament should be done in faith because we trust that God is sovereignly in control of evil and that he will eventually bring justice.
As we plan, are we willing to trust God, especially when his will doesn’t make sense, is undesirable, and/or causes pain?
3. The statement, “If the Lord is willing,” challenges us ultimately to obey God’s will, as we plan.
James’ statement, “So whoever knows what is good to do and does not do it is guilty of sin” (4:17), could refer generally to everything James has taught in the epistle up to this point. In accordance with our faith, we should not only be hearers of God’s Word but doers (1:22). We should care for those who have needs (1:27). We should not honor the rich over the poor (2:1-7). We should turn away from the worldliness and draw near God (4:1-10). However, in the immediate context, it specifically refers to our need to not neglect God in our planning. We should seek his will, trust and obey it, as we declare with our hearts and mouths, “If the Lord is willing…” (v. 15). To independently plan and pursue our own will like the world does, instead of God’s will, is sin and therefore will be disciplined by God.
In considering all this, we must ask ourselves, “Are we seeking God’s will for today, tomorrow, and the future in general?” “Are we trusting him as he reveals his will?” “Are we willing to obey God, even if it’s difficult—like persevering through a challenging marriage, staying in a tough work environment, or being faithful in other undesirable situations?” In our planning, we must seek, trust, and obey God, whether on the enjoyable hilltops of life or in the difficult valleys. Anything else is sin.
Application Question: Share a time when God clearly guided you on a major decision and how he did so. Why is it so difficult to trust God when he allows difficult circumstances or guides us to a difficult path? How can we trust and obey God in spite of those difficulties?
Further Principles for Planning
Here are two more principles to consider in planning God’s way:
1. To plan God’s way, we must discern the gifts God has given us and seek to maximize the use of them, whether they be natural talents or spiritual gifts.
Second Timothy 1:6 (NIV) says, “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” To fan his gift into flame, Timothy had to develop it and maximize its use—no doubt by making his gift a skill and using it often. It’s the same for us. Are we gifted in administration? If so, we should plan to develop and use our gift to glorify God. Are we gifted in leadership, teaching, or service? If so, we should continually develop our gift and plan to use it for the glory of God.
How do we find our gifts? We find them by both discerning what we enjoy—what builds us up—and what blesses others. First Corinthians 14:4 says, “The one who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.” Tongues is probably the only gift, without interpretation, that only builds up the user. Other gifts will typically edify both us and others. If we love to sing but nobody else enjoys it, that’s probably not our gift. Therefore, we discern our gifts by how it builds us and others up.
When planning God’s way, we must discern how God has gifted us, how we can develop the gift, and maximize its use for God’s glory and the edification of others.
2. To plan God’s way, we must prayerfully make short and long-term plans.
We should make daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly plans. If we don’t plan our days, weeks, months, and years, we will find that we wasted a lot of time and missed many opportunities, both to build ourselves up and others.
To begin this type of planning, consider prayerfully making a weekly plan by mapping out every hour of the day. In those hours, plan in work, sleep, spiritual disciplines, exercise, social activities, and recreation. Get rid of time killers, like too much time on social media or TV. Then, begin to prayerfully plan out a month, a year, five years, and ten years. As mentioned, because of human limitations, we can’t foresee the future, including personal or global trials; however, planning often will make us better prepared to respond to various trials that come our way, especially as we trust that God is in control and guiding those unexpected events for our good. As we prayerfully plan days, months, and years, we’ll be able to better maximize our life for the kingdom and not waste it.
Application Question: What are some other principles that are helpful with planning God’s way? How is God calling you to prayerfully plan to maximize your present and future for God’s kingdom and glory?
Conclusion
How should believers rely on God as they plan for the future?
To Plan God’s Way, We Must Avoid Neglecting God in Our Planning
To Plan God’s Way, We Must Recognize the Foolishness of Relying Solely on Human Wisdom and Strength
To Plan God’s Way, We Must Seek, Trust, and Obey God’s Will
Prayer Prompts
Pray for forgiveness for living independently of God by not pursuing his will and kingdom in every aspect of our lives.
Pray for God to grant us wisdom to plan, lead, and serve according to his will.
Pray for God to increase our faith, so we may trust him in difficult situations.
Pray for God to maximize the impact of our lives, families, churches, and nations for his kingdom.
Greg Brown has served twenty-plus years in pastoral ministry, including fourteen in his current position as a chaplain and professor at Handong Global University and the teaching pastor at Handong International Congregation. He also served as a U.S. Navy Reserve chaplain until his retirement in 2022… MoreMore from this authorPublished
James 4:13-14 addresses the arrogance of assuming control over the future and emphasizes the brevity and uncertainty of life. The passage highlights that humans cannot predict what tomorrow holds and should acknowledge God’s sovereignty in their plans. Seminary resources suggest that James is cautioning against a worldly mindset that prioritizes personal gain and self-sufficiency over God’s will. [1, 1, 2, 2]
Key points from James 4:13-14:
Arrogant Planning: The passage begins by critiquing those who boast about their plans for the future without acknowledging God’s will, specifically mentioning plans to travel, conduct business, and profit. [1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3]
Uncertainty of Life: James reminds his audience that they cannot know what tomorrow holds, emphasizing the fleeting nature of life. [1, 1, 2, 2, 4, 4]
Life as a Vapor: The verse uses the analogy of a vapor or mist to illustrate the brevity and fragility of human life. [2, 2, 4, 4, 5, 5]
Humility and Submission: Instead of self-assured planning, James encourages humility and dependence on God, suggesting the phrase, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that”. [3, 3, 6, 6]
In a seminary lecture setting, this passage might be discussed in the context of:
Theology of Providence: Examining how God’s sovereignty interacts with human free will and planning. [7, 7]
Worldly vs. Kingdom Mindset: Contrasting the self-centered focus of those who plan without God with the humility of those who seek God’s will. [3, 3, 8, 8]
Eschatology: Discussing the significance of the brevity of life in light of eternity. [1, 9, 9]
Practical Application: Encouraging students to evaluate their own plans and decisions in light of James’s teaching. [7, 7, 10, 10]
Further points for discussion in a seminary setting:
The Role of Wisdom: How does James’s teaching relate to seeking wisdom in decision-making, and how does wisdom differ from worldly cleverness? [4, 4]
The Nature of Boasting: What are the different forms of boasting that James is addressing, and how can believers avoid them? [6, 6]
The Danger of Presumption: What are some modern-day examples of presumptuous planning that disregard God’s will? [11, 11]
These are my notes from a sermon series I did through the book of James. It has not been proofed for spelling or grammatical errors. I present it to you as-is.
Do you ever make plans? What kind of plans do you make?
Daily plans: Some people make daily plans. They map out their day the night before or in the morning. They have a strategy for their day.
Weekly plans: They map out their week. On Sunday they go to church, on Monday they go shopping, on Tuesday they mow the yard, on Wednesday they take the kids to practice and so on.
This type of planning can carry on into monthly plans, yearly plans and even life-long plans. You may make plans about your career, education, health, retirement, finances and so on.
The question I want you to think about today is, “What or who drives your plans?” Are you the driving force behind your plans, here is where you do whatever you want to do. Instead of that approach, I want to encourage you to seek God’s wisdom and direction on the plans you make. One of the reasons why people get so dissatisfied is because their plans aren’t really what God wants them to do.
This is what James 4:13-17 addresses. He wants us to think about the plans we make in life with God and His purposes in mind. Look at what verse 13 says, Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog – it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil. Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it (NLT). From that there are five things we need to think about.
Your life should have plans
Number one, your life should have plans. God wants you to make plans regarding your life. He wants you to make plans about your career, your education, your marriage, and your finances to name a few. Look carefully at James 4:13, Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit” (NLT). People make plans everyday. This guy is probably an entrepreneur, a go-getter. Really driven, type A personality, organized and goal oriented. This appears to be a great business mind at work because he has planned for all the basic questions of who, what, and where. He knows exactly what he wants to do.
What does he want to do? He wants to “make a profit.”
When does he want to start? He wants to start “today or tomorrow.” He’s not a procrastinator. He wants to get this thing going soon.
Where will he do this? He has a “certain town” in mind. He has done his research and has narrowed it down to a particular town.
How long will this job take? He says he “will stay there a year.” He’s planning on moving or least living there for a year. He is dedicated. This is not a weekend adventure. He is planning on spending at least one year of his life on this project.
On the surface, there is nothing wrong with these plans. He has thought this through. However, there is one problem. There is no mention of God in this. Is this what God wants him to do?
Before we go any further, you need to understand that God wants you to make plans. Short-term, mid-range, and long-term plans. God is all for you looking forward in your life. Let me give you some examples.
Psalm 20:4 says, “May he [God] give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed” (NIV). Make sure this desire you have is from God before you launch into it. God wants the plans He has given to you to succeed.
Proverbs 20:18 says, “Make plans by seeking advice…” (NIV). Go get some wise advise from others on whether you should marry this person or not, start a church or not, go to that college or not, pursue that career or not. God wants you to plan for the future, but He wants you to seek out advice to help you.
Proverbs 22:3 says, “A sensible man watches for problems ahead and prepares to meet them. The simpleton never looks and suffers the consequences” (TLB). You know that you are going to get old, do you have a plan when you cannot take care of yourself? You know that you have this bill coming, do you have a plan to pay it. You know that you want to get married, do you have a plan on preparing yourself to be the kind of spouse God wants you to be?
Proverbs 16:9 says, “We should make plans – counting on God to direct us” (TLB). Go ahead and make plans, but God will direct and redirect you as you go through your plans.
Proverbs 16:1 says, “We may make our plans, but God has the last word” (GN).
Your life should consist of plans, but those plans should be given and endorsed by God. Include God in the plans. Ask the question, “God what do you want me to do?”
Your life is uncertain
Number two, your life is uncertain. You can make plans. Have God-given plans. Seek godly advice and have it mapped out. Those plans you made can be disrupted or completely destroyed. James 4:14 puts it this way, How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? (NLT). You can make your plans, but always remember those plans are not in concrete.
Just ask that person who saved themselves for the right person, then got married, had a couple of kids, a dog and nice house but now they are divorced because their spouse left them for someone else. Life is uncertain.
Just ask that young person who had a bright future ahead of them but because of some poor decisions their life has been tragically altered. Life is uncertain.
Just ask the young family whose dad just lost his job or the kids who just lost their mom or the family who lost their home. Life is uncertain.
How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? You don’t know and that’s why God needs to be a significant part of your life and plans. When your life gets derailed you don’t want to find that you are standing on quicksand, rather than the rock of God. One of the reasons why so many people feel dissatisfied in life is because they feel like their life was derailed and taken away from them and they were not ready for it. Life is uncertain, but God wants you to be as ready as you can be if that were to happen to you.
Your life is short
Number three, your life is short. James 4:14 goes on to say, Your life is like the morning fog – it’s here a little while, then it’s gone (NLT). Some translations say that your life is like a “vapor” (CSB) or a “mist” (ESV). Have you ever seen steam coming up out of your coffee cup or off of some hot food? There it is and then its gone. Life is like that.
Moses wrote Psalm 90 and he says in verse 10, “Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away” (NLT). Whether your life has been filled with a lot of joy or a lot of pain or mixture of both those years go by quickly. When I was younger I would hear old timers says things like, “Enjoy life while you can, before you know it your life is over” or “Enjoy your kids while you can, before you know it they are all grown up.” Now that I’m halfway to 100, I get it. When you are living life it can seem to move slowly, but when you look back on life you realize how much your life is like a vapor, a mist, or a fog that is there briefly and then gone.
Back to Moses in Psalm 90. He then says this in verse 12, “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom” (NLT). Some translations word this by saying, “Teach us to number our days.” The point and the reason for understanding how short life is, is to help you grow in wisdom and to make the most of the time God gives you. When you think about how short life is and you get depressed or discouraged about it then you are not thinking about it from God’s perspective. If you see it as an opportunity, even though it may be a brief opportunity, you want to make your life count and be a blessing to others.
Your life belongs to God
So what do we have so far? Your life should have plans. You live your life with intentionality. Your life is uncertain, so don’t be surprised when your plans get derailed. Your life is short, let that motivate you to make the most of your life for God. Number four, your life belongs to God. James 4:15-16 says, What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil (NLT). A couple of things from this.
First, this “Lord willing” mindset says, “My life belongs to God and I want to do His will.” This is not making plans and then asking God to bless those plans. This is seeking God’s will before we make plans and act when we have assurance that we are doing so according to His will. You are always filtering your future through the mindset, “If the Lord wants me to….”
This statement is not something you need to say after every sentence. That’s not the point. I do think it is good to say out loud from time to time to remind you and others who is actually in charge. For example, “Lord willing, I plan on going to that university after I graduate from high school” or “Lord willing, I plan on retiring when I’m 65” or “Lord willing, I plan on getting a new job by the end of the year.” I do think its spiritually healthy to say that out loud from time to time.
Sometimes Paul used the phrase, “If the Lord wills,” when speaking about the future and sometimes He didn’t. Let me give you some examples.
In Acts 18:21 Paul was asked to stay longer in Ephesus to teach God’s Word a little longer but as he left he said, “I will come back later, God willing” (NLT).
In Romans 1:10 he is writing to some believers in Rome and he wants to come to them and visit with them and he writes, “One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you” (NLT).
He’s hoping to visit some Christians in Corinth and says to them in 1 Corinthians 4:19, “I will come – and soon – if the Lord lets me…” (NLT).
At the end of 1 Corinthians he tells the believers one more time in 1 Corinthians 16:7, “This time I don’t want to make just a short visit and then go right on. I want to come and stay awhile, if the Lord will let me” (NLT).
Again you see something similar in Philippians 2:19 when Paul writes, “If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send timothy to you soon for a visit” (NLT).
Your life and plans belong to God. Remind yourself and others of that. The Bible doesn’t say that we are to say this a certain many times a day. I want to give some spiritual homework to do. This week, if you don’t already do this, try finding at least one time a day to say, “If the Lord wills.” Hey mamma, what is for supper tonight? If the Lord wills, we are going to have meatloaf. Will you be able to make that meeting tonight? Lord willing, I will be there.
This “Lord willing” mindset says, “My life belongs to God and He is in control of my life.” God is in control. He is sovereign. Look at this carefully, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live….” I don’t know how many minutes, days, or years I have left but God knows and He is in charge of that. The length of my life is in His hands.
But look at it again, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Even if God allows me to live what I plan to do in the future may not happen. I may not be able to “do this or that” because God has allowed my health to change, my finances to change, or my relationships to change. The bottom line is God is in charge of my future and I need to seek His plan for my life.
THE BOTTOM LINE is God is central to all their plans and life. We are to acknowledge God in everything we do.
Now watch this, James then says, Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans. A “pretentious plan” is a plan that you have decided is significant and important apart from God. A “plan” becomes pretentious when you decide that no matter what God thinks this is the plan I am doing whether God likes it or not.
There two types of “pretentious plans.”
Practical-atheistsplans: This is ignoring God’s will, living as though God and His will do not exist.
Self-atheists plans: This person acknowledges that God exists and has a will, nevertheless arrogantly rejects it. This group refuses to submit the uncertainties of life to God, they set themselves, their own goals, and their own wills above God. God’s will, though acknowledged, simply is not as important to them as their plans. Christians are often guilty of setting aside God’s will in favor of their own plans.
When you make plans without God or ignore God’s plans for your life that is considered that is considered boasting. In other words, you are bragging about how you don’t need God and what God says is not important to your life. So James says, “All such boasting is evil.” It is selfish and self-centered.
Your life is to be a blessing
Number five, your life is to be a blessing. James 4:17 says, Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it (NLT). He says, “Remember” that even though your life is short and it may get derailed make plans regarding your life with God and throughout your life – no matter what happens – do what you ought to do. If you find out that you have a year left, don’t let the shortness of your life stop you from being a blessing to others. If your life is not where or what you thought it would be, don’t let that stop you from caring and loving and forgiving and motivating others.
Conclusion
What I’m asking you to do today is make plans with God. Let God guide your decisions about who you date, who you marry, what job or career you choose, or how you plan your day or week or year. And if the plans change you will still know that God is in control and all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.
One of my favorite stories tells of an owner of a small diner who wanted to increase his business. He placed a large sign in the window announcing “Free Lunch Tomorrow”. As folks saw the sign they made note of it and returned the next day only to find the sign was still in the window. One of the problems with ‘tomorrow’ is that it never comes!
Procrastination is my sin; it brings me naught but sorrow. I know that I should stop it…in fact I will, tomorrow.
James 4:13-14 – 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: 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.
I. The Problem with ‘Tomorrow’
II. The ‘Tomorrow’ Mentality’
III. The Emphasis On “Today”
In a moment we will have our invitation. You know that means this service is nearly over. The time to accept Jesus Christ as Savior is right now. The time to recommit and surrender your life to Christ is right now. The choice is ours. What will we do today?
The Lite Version of The Behavioral to Traits Dynamics will provide a comprehensive assessment of four main personality traits that influence behavioral functioning
Positivity-Building Emotional Traits
Reflects an individual’s capacity to experience joy, optimism, and satisfaction from life experiences.
90
You are exceptionally positive and optimistic, radiating enthusiasm and joy in nearly every aspect of life. Your energy is contagious, and you naturally inspire and uplift those around you. You thrive in social environments, forming strong connections and actively seeking meaningful relationships. Potential Challenges: Your intense focus on positivity may sometimes lead you to overlook potential risks or challenges that require careful attention. You may also overcommit to activities, spreading yourself too thin. Recommendations: Balance your optimism with practical risk assessment to avoid unforeseen obstacles. Practice mindfulness to stay grounded and maintain a healthy balance between personal and social obligations.
Negativity-Building Emotional Factors
Reflects an individual’s tendency to experience distressing emotions such as anxiety, anger, and sadness in response to challenges.
23
You are emotionally stable and tend to remain calm in the face of stress or adversity. Negative events rarely overwhelm you, and you have a strong ability to maintain perspective even in challenging circumstances. Potential Challenges: While emotional stability is a strength, you may occasionally underestimate the significance of negative feedback or risks, which could impact decision-making or preparedness. Recommendations: Stay open to constructive criticism and use it as an opportunity for growth. Balance your calm demeanor with an awareness of potential risks to ensure well-rounded decision-making.
Constraint Adjustments
Measures an individual’s ability to regulate impulses, conform to social norms, and avoid unnecessary risks.
60
You demonstrate strong self-discipline and a responsible approach to life. You are methodical in your decision-making, often prioritizing careful planning and avoiding unnecessary risks. Potential Challenges: While your cautious nature is a strength, it may sometimes prevent you from seizing opportunities that require calculated risks. You might also experience stress when faced with unpredictable situations. Recommendations: Practice stepping outside your comfort zone by taking small, manageable risks. Focus on building resilience in the face of uncertainty to enhance your adaptability.
Absorption Flexibility Traits
Absorption reflects an individual’s capacity to become fully immersed in imaginative or sensory experiences. It enhances creativity and influences one’s connection with internal and external stimuli in meaningful ways.
77
You are highly responsive to emotional and sensory experiences, finding immense joy in creative and imaginative activities. You often notice subtleties that others may overlook. Potential Challenges: While you thrive in creative environments, disengaging from immersive experiences when necessary can be difficult, impacting task completion or routine responsibilities. Recommendations: Set specific times for deep engagement and balance this with structured activities. Use your heightened perception to enhance creativity while managing practical priorities.
![False friends or counterfeit kindness; whatever you want to call it, the world is filled with people who will say one thing to your face and then another behind your back; people who will woo you in order to get something from you.
It’s sad, but it’s true.
The Bible provides us with examples from Joab to Judas, and yet, we’re surprised when we find ourselves deceived and hurt by someone else.
So what are some of the hallmarks of a true friend?
You can read more about this on hopereflected.com [Link in profile]
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#friends #friendship #kindness #counterfeitkindness #hurt #proverbs #truefriends #hopereflected #blog #blogpost](https://www.hopereflected.com/wp-content/uploads/sb-instagram-feed-images/449706348_821856496555359_1005859112988535385_n.heicfull.jpg)
![💞 When you’re playing a board game, a good turn is not just good for you; it helps all the players in the game to move forward.
💞 And while in life there are certainly times when showing others a good turn is the very last thing that we are inclined to do—especially during the moment after their turn where they’ve just stirred up frustration and strife—forbearing with others is essential to help us move forward.
💞 On his interpretation of “forbearing one another,” (Colossians 3:13), Matthew Henry wrote that “We have all of us something which needs to be borne with, and this is a good reason why we should bear with others in what is disagreeable to us. We need the same good turn from others which we are bound to show them.”
💞 Read more of "An unlikely source" on hopereflected.com [Link in profile]](https://www.hopereflected.com/wp-content/uploads/sb-instagram-feed-images/442169665_444889921455267_2676883320014521441_n.heicfull.jpg)
![In his letter to the Church at Colossae, Paul provided admonition to believers because they were falling into error due to false teaching and wrong living. In this verse, Paul provides practical instruction for anyone dealing with present and past wrongs—we are to forbear and to forgive.
“Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another; if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye” (Colossians 3:13).
You can read more of my column, "An unlikely source" on hopereflected.com [link's in profile]
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#forgive #forgiveness #forgiving #forbearance #colossians #Biblequotes #blog #hopereflected](https://www.hopereflected.com/wp-content/uploads/sb-instagram-feed-images/441041322_469468412087116_7164956502939499772_n.heicfull.jpg)
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