14 day plan

God’s Wisdom – you just have to ask!

Day 13 of 14

NIV

James 3:17

17But 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.

Reflection: The wisdom we seek is not necessarily the wisdom ascribed to King Solomon. It is humble. Here James tells us it is ‘first of all pure’. Peace loving. Considerate. Submissive. Impartial. Sincere. It comes from the Holy Spirit and most of all, the wisdom we have is the knowledge of Christ crucified and resurrected to save our sins and offer forgiveness and grace. For that is where our humility lies. We are broken. Imperfect. In need of forgiveness, but we are also seen and loved and known by the God of the Universe.

Does that wisdom sound attractive to you? Those attributes do not seem to be valued in our society. What does ‘purity’ look like when it comes from God? And while most of us appreciate others who are peace-loving, is that something we offer to others? Submissive? Really? As a female, I don’t want to be submissive. It conjures up all sorts of negative ideas.

Lord, may you give me wisdom to know when submitting to another is your will, for I so often want to exert my own views.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, that is a scary list. How can I be pure, submissive, full of mercy and peace-loving? Give me your wisdom so I know when submission or mercy are needed for each situation. Help me to understand what purity looks like from your eyes and to hunger for it. Amen.

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.

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James 3:1-18

Taming the Tongue

1Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Two Kinds of Wisdom

13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

17But 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. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.