Thank you for the application question on James 4:8–10, “What does it mean if we can’t mourn over our sins like in James 4:8-10?”
For one’s consideration, if a person doesn’t mourn or grieve over one’s sin(s), s/he has forgotten the serious offense of sin against God and the spiritual compromise of living for/of this world.
To understand the cited verses, it is helpful to look at the context. James says this, “You adulterous people,[a] don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the Spirit he has caused to dwell in us[b]? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”[c]
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (NIV).
Here are some thoughts for one’s consideration:
A. The word, mourn or mourning is the expression of sorrow or regret for one’s attitude or action. There was an outward expression of their sorrow.
B. The expression of deep grief is generally reserved for “dramatic” loss as in a major accident, illness, and death of a family or closed friend.
C. The expression of sorrow or an apology are normally words without any contrition or restitution in making things right. The words, “I am sorry.” is nearly meaningless as it is used as a means to end a heated disagreement, but not an actual admission of any guilt at all. We say, “If you want an apology, here it is: I am sorry.” That person turns around and walks away without realizing the hurt of that person.
D. The lack of expression of sorrow is to fail to understand the offense is against God’s holiness and righteousness. The offense is not just against another person, but ultimately all offenses is against God. God is the Creator and humans are in his image and likeness. When one uses profanity, cursing or violating any person, that perpetrator fails to understand its not just cursing that person but is also cursing the Creator who made that person.
E. The diminishing of the offense is seen as trite or trivial. “It’s no big deal.” is one’s attitude. If s/he doesn’t like it, “That’s their problem.” People have become de-sensitize to the feelings of others and believe that their rights trumps over other people right. Thief, destruction of property or loss of life is a small matter. Society is moving toward the value system of every person doing what s/he thinks is right and has the right to do it. Culture and civil government are the definer of what is moral or immoral. Since there is no moral absolute, everything then is relative.
Sadly, more and more Christians are adopting the world’s beliefs and value system. The Bible is outdated or disproven. The belief in the existence of God is questioned and even rejected by more and more Christians. Christianity is a social custom, not a religious belief.
Perhaps the only time when a person may grieve is when one becomes a victim of a vicious crime otherwise crimes against other human beings are not a big issue at all. There is no longer the belief in sin, but just a careless mistake.
SUMMARY: The conscience and conscientiousness of humans are deaden in our modern society. Don’t expect to receive a genuine apology from anyone for only a few will ever care how hurt you are in life.
For more perspectives:
https://www.quora.com/What-does-it-mean-if-we-can-t-mourn-over-our-sins-like-in-James-4-8-10