Who is wise and
understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the
humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish
ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such
"wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual,
of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find
disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is
first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy
and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a
harvest of righteousness. James 3:13-18
In honor of all the students that will be graduating from
High School and College this month we have been focusing on wisdom in our
devotionals this week. Today we will
focus on Godly wisdom
James tells us real wisdom
begins with a pure life. “But the
wisdom that is from above is first pure” v. 17.
The word pure from the Greek means without a flaw, pure
enough to stand before God, not having concealed motives. Even kids know how to
be on their best behavior when they have to.
Real wisdom, Godly wisdom, has to begin with God.
Godly wisdom is teachable. You don’t know everything.
Godly wisdom comes from
God. Godly wisdom is teachable. Godly wisdom is being a peace-maker.
Godly wisdom looks like this:
·
Godly wisdom comes from God
·
Godly wisdom is teachable.
·
Godly wisdom is being a peace-maker.
·
Godly wisdom allows mercy.
Consider…
1.
No God- no wisdom. Know God- know wisdom.
2.
Wisdom starts with a fear (reverence for God)
3.
It counts the cost and lives for the future.
4.
Focuses on right living.
5.
Relationship first with God and then others.
6.
It puts first things first.
7. It
gives God what belongs to God.
Marks of Godly Wisdom - Fruits You Want In Your Life!!
v Good conduct, lifestyle, good
works (v. 13)
v Humble (v. 13)
v Pure (v. 17) - holy, and clean.
v Peace-loving (v. 17)
v Gentle- considerate (v. 17)
v Submissive – accommodating (v. 17)
Not stubborn nor obstinate; of a yielding disposition in all indifferent things
v Merciful- (full of mercy) (v. 17)
ready to forgive
v Filled with good fruit (good
results) (v.
17)
v Impartial- no favorites, just (v. 17)
Without making a difference- rendering to every man his due; and being never
swayed by self-interest, worldly honor, or the fear of man
v
Sincere-
not hypocritical or pretentious (v. 17)
Verse 18 says that Seeds of Peace produce righteousness in our lives.
Anger, fighting, envy and selfishness are seeds that will also grow, but the
fruit will be disastrous!
The proper question is not simply how well your garden is
growing, but what are you growing? What has been planted there? Envy and selfishness will turn into plants of
disorder and evil practices. But those who love God’s peace will plant seeds of
grace and produce what is good and right, all to the glory of God!
Scripture to Claim:
…But
if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it,
but sin which dwells in me. I find then
the [a]principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do
good…Romans 7:20-21
