You are a puff of smoke that appears briefly and then disappears.
The point is not that we should be afraid or anxious. What James is saying is that we need to stop boasting in our arrogance. We need to stop this pretense of self-confidence. We are not nearly as in control as we often imagine. Circumstances lull us into trusting in ourselves but at any time circumstances can change. Instead of self-confidence we need God-confidence, called faith. With self-confidence we need to be in control. This tends to make us controlling.
Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,
and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us."
Those with God-confidence don't get upset when things don't go exactly their way or when they aren't done exactly to their specifications.
Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him.
There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name
who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us."
Our trust should be in God. Our goal should be the good he sets immediately before us.
So for one who knows the right thing to do
and does not do it, it is a sin.
There are no contingencies here. No prideful plans can distract us for the urgency of conscience here in the moment. So this is always where we begin. We can't do it apart from Jesus. Apart from him we can do nothing. But he gives us grace for every trial.
Why should I fear in evil days
when my wicked ensnarers ring me round?
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