Begin your time with prayer
Scripture
James 3:13-18 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfishness in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against the truth. Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical. And the fruit that consists of righteousness is planted in peace among those who make peace.
Reactions
How many times is “wisdom” mentioned here?
What do you think of when you hear that word?
Digging below the surface
What are the evidences of true wisdom? (comb through the whole passage and make a list)
What are the evidences of earthly wisdom?
Thinking back through the book of James, where does true wisdom come from?
Making it stick
What is wisdom? What do you need it for?
How often do you ask God for wisdom?
Notes
In this passage James points out the root of sin – bitter jealousy and selfishness. Jealousy is another word for discontentment. Selfishness describes a heart that worships anything but God. When I am either discontent or selfish, any number of other sins start to come out in my words and actions. I quit trusting. I quit giving. I quit loving.
But when I look at life through the wisdom God gives me – the truth that he loves me and his ways are best for me – I experience the opposite of those things. Trusting God always brings peace. And as I trust God, he purifies me, and grows good things in my heart, like gentleness, mercy, and impartiality.
So where do I practice discontent and selfishness more than purity and peace? Those are the areas I’m leaning on my own definition of wisdom rather than God’s.
Lord, I want to love peace more than I do. I want this harvest of righteous fruits. I know it will only come as I allow the Spirit to produce it in me. I know it will only come as you cut away the dead branches of selfishness and discontent in me. Please show me what I need to release and where I need to grow. Then help me to obey. I will obey you, Lord.