Sunday, February 3, 2013

James 3:13-18


James 3:13 - Whoever is wise and understanding should show this by behaving in a good way all the time in such a way that he is meek.  This means you are not acting self-important or in an "I'm right" attitude as is so often common.  I know this can be hard as I am guilty of it myself.

James 3:14 - It can be hard to stay on your best behavior, much less with a meek attitude, no matter how wise you may or may not be.  You must be careful about bitter envy, as it is a self-seeking characteristic, and not let it lay in your hearts.  It can cause you to do two horrible things: boast or even to lie against the truth.

James 3:15 - When a person is envious of another, their "wisdom" is no longer from God but a very earthy, sensual, and demonic wisdom.  It can only lead to ruin.

James 3:16 - Wherever there is self-seeking or envy, there also is confusion and every evil thing in existence there.  I don't need to tell you who controls you if your heart is full of such.

James 3:17 - The wisdom that you should have, and seek if you do not, is from above.  It can be identified because it has many of the same characteristics of God's Love.  It is pure.  It is peaceful.  There will be no grudges or honor battles between people.  It is gentle.  It is willing to yield - please, repeat that one again to yourself - it is willing to yield.  The wisdom from above is full of mercy.  What comes out of it is good fruits.  There is no partiality... so it doesn't matter your socioeconomic status or education level.  It has no hypocrisy, which is definitely something you should avoid.

James 3:18 - "Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."

Someone with the wisdom from above will have good fruits such as the fruit of righteousness.  They will constantly be full of God's goodness.  This will be seen when the actions by someone is made peaceable for the outcome of peace. 

Think on this.  Someone whose wisdom you can trust is someone who works for peace gently so that the end result is a peaceful one without grudges.  Gentleness and sometimes yielding is needed for such wisdom to be just that - wisdom from God.

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