James 4:16,17

The Sin of Boasting of Self-Sufficiency

James said some lived as though their plans in no way depended upon God and they were proud of it. Woods says the word translated "boasting" here is not used in any form in any other verse in the New Testament except for 1 John 2:16. There, John describes one aspect of the love of the world as the "pride of life," which is the same word. Some types of glorying are good. For instance, it is good to glory in the second coming of our Lord. It is good to be proud of our brethren. It is especially good to glory in the cross of our crucified Lord (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20; 2 Thessalonians 1:4; Galatians 6:14). But glorying in self-sufficiency is sinful (James 4:16).

Clearly, anyone who knows God sustains us should live his life for the Creator. Thus, James describes the intentional sin of omission. Those who knew God existed but acted as if they did not need him and left him out of their plans committed this sin. Jesus said: And that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more" (Luke 12:47-48).

After teaching his disciples about service, Jesus also said, "If you know these things, happy are you if you do them" (John 13:17). James 4:17, combined with these other verses ought to move anyone to action who knows what the Lord asks of him.