James 3:13-18
WISDOM AND PEACE
“If you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.”
Ok, so envy is wanting what someone else has (I wish I had her job), and jealousy is being fearful that someone else wants what you have, (I have to protect my job from her).
When we act envious, jealous or self-seeking, (dropping subtle hints and undermining others to get stuff or position we seek), “This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.”
FULL STOP
Why would we act in a way that seems temporally like it will benefit us but in reality is aligned with “demonic” outcomes.
“For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and EVERY evil thing are there.”
Did you catch it? When you sense confusion the cause is envy and self-seeking. The fruit of that type of life, leadership and relationships is eventually “EVERY evil thing exists. EVERY…EVIL…THING…EXISTS.
Selah (Pause and reflect).
GREAT NEWS!! There is a better way.
“Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the MEEKNESS of wisdom.”
Meekness is strength under control. It is masked in humility. So what is true wisdom? Here is a filter or prism that we can live every decision of our life through. It will keep you safe and holy and in great peace.
Here is the WISDOM FROM ABOVE. As you read this, consider a decision you are facing and ask if you personally or the decision you are facing measure up to this:
“But the wisdom that is from above (your name here and or the decision you are facing here, am I or my opportunity first pure), is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”
Take your heart and decisions, and overlay this passage on wisdom, and if at any point you don’t have a pure heart, stop. If the folks you are dealing with are not peaceable or they are hypocritical or not willing to yield, stop. Wait on the Lord, as He is protecting you.
Once your heart and opportunity pass this wisdom filter then here is what you will enjoy:
“Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
If you and I can wait, and let the Lord guide us . . . we will enjoy the RIGHT decision in a sea of PEACE.