These verses leave us in no doubt that our lives need to be God-guided and God-controlled (Proverbs 3:5-6 ). The reckless person of the world leaves God out of his calculations. The godly person calculates on divine assistance in his speaking, planning, choosing, going, thinking, doing. This is the secret of spiritual maturity.

James 4:11 "Do not speak evil of one another, ..."

Once again, faultfinding, speaking against members of the family of God - the common attitude of censoriousness is condemned. James is commanding - in line with the Master's teaching in Matthew 7:1-5) where the disciples are told not to be judgmental, that is, censorious - take care not to usurp the place of God. James argues that to speak evil of a brother is at the same time speaking evil of the law.

James 4:11 "... and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. ..."

In speaking evil against a fellow believer the royal law of loving your neighbour as yourself, is not only broken (James 2:8 ), you have also declared in effect that the law of love does not apply to you, and you have made yourself judge over the law.

James 4:11 "... But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge."

In speaking evil you judge the law of love not to be applicable, nor necessary, nor valid, and that it has to be set aside in your case. What dangerous arrogance! Setting yourself up as the law decider, and not a doer. This is an outrage that comes from leaving out God the lawgiver.

James 4:12 "There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?"

It is God who commands. He alone can decide whether or not His command is implemented. God enforces the law - as the only Sovereign His authority over life and death is absolute.

	He is able to save (1 Timothy 2:5-6 ): 1 Timothy 4:10 "For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe."
	He is able to destroy: Matthew 10:28 "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
	Who are you? (Romans 14:4 ) Romans 2:1 "Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things."

Right speaking assisted. Speaking lovingly is possible with the Helper, the Holy Spirit. We can love others as ourselves because the Holy Spirit in us is love, and produces His love in us (Galatians 5:22 ). Under the control of Holy Spirit, love and kindness issue from us (2 Corinthians 6:6 ). Union with the loving Holy Spirit reveals itself in a loving attitude towards others (1 Peter 1:22 ). What a delight it is, when, like Epaphras, we can report that a local church is known for love towards others, love that has its source in the Holy Spirit.

Colossians 1:8 "Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit."

Let God the Spirit be in your speaking.

James 4:13 "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit';"

We should never plan independently of God. James, to make his point, draws a pertinent picture of business persons - fitting not only those of his day, but descriptive of business people today.

	They schedule a time to commence operations "today or tomorrow"
	They select a place needing their product "such and such a city"
	They set a time required for completion "spend a year"
	They seize with diligence every trading opportunity " buy and sell"
	They shrewdly maintain the bottom-line objective " make a profit"

All this would appear to be commendable were it not for the selfish assumption that their tomorrow was in their own control - that there could be no intervention in their plans. The Lord Jesus gave a parable concerning this very thing (Luke 12:16-21 ). The rich man's plans came to an abrupt end.

Luke 12:20 "But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?'"

James would have us take into account our vulnerability, and dependability on God, so that He is not left out of our plans.

James 4:14 "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. ..."

We should not fail to take God into our planning. Without Him our future is uncertain - our past is history - the present is ours - tomorrow belongs to God. How can you receive assistance from God in your planning?

	Through the fellowship of prayer: Romans 8:27 "And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."
	Through Holy Spirit teaching in the Word: John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."
	Through the direction of your paths: Proverbs 3:5,6 "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Would you describe speaking evil of a brother as the same as speaking evil of God's law? (James 4:11-12 ).
2. Do you find that you normally make your plans independently of God? (James 4:13 ). Is this foolish in view of the Lords warning? (Luke 12:16-21 ).