James 3:13-18 (NLT)

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 the fruit of 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.

Explanation:

Christianity isn’t moralism. It is power and wisdom from on high.

Imagine what God wants for the world…peace. To have peace, we nourish wisdom through what influences us.

In Entertainment:How did anger, boasting, jealousy, chaos, disrespect, and divisiveness become the working ingredients of hit shows?

In Politics:When did “insults/saying it like it is” become valued over saying it truthfully with wisdom?

Recently I was behind a vehicle completely covered in bumper stickers of vile opinions combined with scripture. The occupant was essentially driving around letting his vehicle yell at everyone who read his bumper stickers and flags. As the light turned and I drove on, I silently wondered if he had any moments of peace. We can’t flow in wisdom from up above while spewing disorder. It made me sad to see someone so cocooned in confusion.

Are we all just getting pumped full of other’s conclusions, or can we slow down, use caution, and seek insight and a loving perspective from above?

Can we become people who “are prudent and see danger ahead?” (Proverbs 27:12).

James is calling for the church to show their wisdom by the WAY they act, think, and speak.

He’s definitely illustrating two polar opposite ways of conduct.

Wise people…Listen much more than they talk. They ponder.They are cautious with other people's hearts.They grow and learn from above.They aren’t defensive.Don't find being wrong humiliating; they appreciate the chance to change.Seek wise counsel and cultivate wise friendships.Are attractional.Do the right thing no matter the cost.

You will know when you are around one because when they speak, it is measured and kind. What they say is insightful and produces emotional safety. The hearers don’t feel cringy or verbally slapped.

James makes it clear that some things are demonic and some are pure, and we do ourselves a disservice by playing dumb.

James was the brother of Jesus. Jesus exemplified wisdom. James shared boyhood with Jesus. He had a brother wiser than Solomon that he did life with. But it would not be until Jesus' death and resurrection that James would come to know Jesus as Wisdom Incarnate.

This is why James is so direct and black and white in his presentation of what is disorder and what is peaceable from above. He makes a compelling case for wisdom.

James is clear and we should be too.

Action Step:

James asks us to plant seeds of peace.1. If a coworker or friend is being slandered to you, voice a few positive attributes about the victim to change the conversation. I’ve never seen it fail.

2. If someone is goading you into conflict, kindly go emotionally limp and pour water on that fire. I know this works because I watch my grandkids do it with each other, and it yields peace.

Prayer:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.Where there is hatred, let me sow love;where there is injury, pardon;where there is doubt, faith;where there is despair, hope;where there is darkness, light;and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seekto be consoled as to console;to be understood as to understand;to be loved as to love.For it is in giving that we receive;it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.

—St. Francis of Assisi