James 4:17

Memory Verse

Therefore, to him who knows to do proper and does not do it, to him it is sin (James 4:17). 

As children of God, we are to consider His desirous will in every aspect of our lives. When we decide to do something for the sake of personal profit, we are not considering God’s desirous will for our lives (James 4:13). Boasting about such things—e.g. encouraging others to do something so large that if it is not from God, it will fail—is malignantly evil, for it encourages other saints to ignore God’s desirous will and seek after their own desires to consume for their own pleasure. Therefore, the one who knows to do what is proper—God’s desirous will—and chooses not to do it, this is sin for him. 

Our lives are but a vapor in this world. Although we may plan, the reality is we do not know what tomorrow brings. Therefore, let us lay aside every weight and sin that so easily ensnares us, running the race set before us with patience while living the remaining time we are in the flesh to the desirous will of God (1 Peter 4:2).