James 4:16
[16] “But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.”
James is thinking about those who trust their ability alone to plan their future. The sin in this verse is rejoicing in our own abilities or accomplishments. We often hear and see this in our society today. To place confidence in ourselves is both deceptive and destructive. It reminds me of what the songwriter said when he wrote these words, “The arm of flesh will surely fail you, ye dare not trust your own”.
We are to rejoice in what the Lord is able to do, not what we think we can do. We are to glorify God for every good thing that He has allowed us to accomplish in our lives. We are to boast in Him and not ourselves. I think you will agree that no one likes to listen to boasting. An individual who constantly brags about what he has done and what he plans to do is adored only by himself.
If this kind of rejoicing offends us, then think about how it must offend the Lord. He gives man the ability, talent, skill, and strength to do all things. All the Lord wants us to do is give Him the glory due to His name. He wants us to rejoice in Him and not ourselves.
Remember, the wrong kind of rejoicing grieves the Spirit of God in our lives. The wrong kind of rejoicing lifts up the flesh and gives place to the Devil. The wrong kind of rejoicing turns others away and hinders our testimony as a child of God. May we guard our tongues and our spirits by always giving Him praise. May we lift Him up by never making plans without seeking His will and by acknowledging His will in everything we do. Our rejoicing needs to point others to Christ and not to ourselves.