Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Real Wisdom


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

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