James 3:13-18 "If you are wise and understand God's ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don't cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness."
I repeat, If you are wise and understand God's ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with humility that comes from wisdom.
Am I wise in this context? Do I do honorable and good works with humility or do I expect thanks and confirmation for my efforts? Is there selfish ambition in my heart? Do I cover up my reasons for doing things with boasting and lying?
The answer is yes, I am sad to say. I am not wise, I pretend to be. My wisdom is not pure, peace loving nor gentle. It is judgmental and demanding. My works are not full of mercy and good deeds, I do show favoritism and am insincere. I am not a peacemaker and will not reap a harvest of righteousness. To say other words would be a lie.
So lets face it there is little hope for me. Unless I live and let God's wisdom live in me.
Others may disagree with me and say, I am too hard on myself, but if I agree I am still deluding myself.
As I bring up my family I expect certain behaviour, there are rules that I expect them to follow. My house can be a battle ground. Just as within my being there is a battle ground. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. Yer right, if I did this in my house I would be mushed to a pulp. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. I am constantly accused of favouritism by my children.
I am sorry to say that these verses in the Bible are a thorn in my side. But that is because I struggle with 'Live and let God's wisdom live in me.'
I want recognition, I want to know that I have done a good job, I want the upper hand. My human nature wants it all. For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.
I have fallen into the unchristian mold, into disorder and the Me factor. The world without God. I am earthly.
When we put ourselves first we live in the world. When we put on the Wisdom of God we allow the Kingdom to reside in our house.
Am I being too hard on myself. I don't think so, for knowledge of our sinfulness allows us to confess our weakness and to open the door to God's power. It is in acknowledgement that God can achieve His Healing in us and draw us to His Heavenly Realm. Only with God's help can I fully embrace God's Wisdom and receive His Breakthrough.
The power of the world to be selfish, self absorbed, judgmental and boastful of our achievements is very strong. That 'look at me and what I have achieved' momentum is high on the rostrum of life. 'I am a success' is running through the veins of life like there is no tomorrow. Our cups keep getting bigger so that they don't run over, so that others don't get what is ours. When we don't see these signs as victories for the devil, we are caught in the mud of blindness and don't see ourselves sinking.
We must take seriously the words of James, If you are wise and understand God's ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don't cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.
This is why the world is in the mess it is in. Not because of God as some would argue, but in our attitude and heart as we deny God's Wisdom in our lives.
One last thought. Is God as hard on me as I am? But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. The answer is No. He adores us so much that he sent His Only Son to die and set us free. However He does want us to follow Him and His Wisdom so that we can choose to be with him in the Eternal Glory. And therefore I must continue to try and constantly seek God's order to be my guide.
Father God, may we all acknowledge that we fall short of your Wisdom and understanding. Help us to be truthful about our intentions and if they are full of pride and self satisfaction, may we humbly confess this and seek your forgiveness so that we can be free to Live and let Your Wisdom live in us. Amen.
God bless.
