From Calvary Chapel of Roswell

Pastor Jim Suttle

Msg #527                                  Wednesday, October 08, 2008

To subscribe to these weekly devotions, send an email to: eedify@calvaryroswell.com

 if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. (Jas 3:14-17)

Are you making wise choices today?  Every day we are confronted with a myriad of choices, some of which greatly affect the course  of our lives.  My question is again: Are you making those choices wisely?  Wisdom can be defined as the skill of making good decisions.  

God lets us know here in the book of James that there is really two types of wisdom – good wisdom and bad wisdom.

Bad wisdom comes from one of three sources.

This wisdom … is earthly, sensual, demonic (v.15)

  earthly wisdom – the world’s wisdom that leaves God out.

  sensual wisdom – that which comes from lust and selfish desire, our flesh.

  demonic wisdom – ideas actively presented by demons to confuse and mislead

In a simple sense – these are the three battle fronts that every Christian fights against in this life – the world, the flesh and the devil.  Be very careful about receiving their wisdom! 

Good wisdom comes from God – from above.

God promises us that if we need His wisdom, all we have to do is ask.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (Jas 1:5)

God’s wisdom is available and accessible to you, today!

How can we tell what wisdom we are following?  Since there are two types of wisdom – good and bad.  How can we tell which wisdom we are making choices with?  God tells us – each produce their own specific response in our hearts.

Bad wisdom produces ugly responses in our heart.

For where envy and self-seeking exist,

confusion and every evil thing are there (v.16)

  Envy – jealousy, resentment and animosity against others

  Self-seeking - selfish ambition, only living for self…it is all about me….

  Confusion - instability, a state of disorder – internal agitation and instability

  Every evil thing – this wisdom opens the door in our heart to sin of all kinds

Good wisdom produces a beautiful response in our heart.

the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable,

gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits,

without partiality and without hypocrisy. (v17)

  Purity – this is the opposite of the evil things above.  Instead – our heart will

move toward that which is right, pure, and clean in God’s sight

  Peace – this is the opposite of confusion.  It is a freedom from worry, a trust

and an internal state of being at rest in the Lord.

  Gentle – this continues to be the opposite of confusion. It speaks of a calmness,

even a patience in our dealings.

  Willing to yield – this is the opposite of self seeking.  It speaks of a surrender

to God and not striving for our own lives.

  Full of mercy – this continues to be the opposite of self seeking. It shows that

we care for more than just about our own self and interests.

  Good fruits – this continues to be the opposite of self seeking.  It is where our

life is a blessing to others.

  Without partiality – this is the opposite of envy.  Instead of resenting others

and alienating some – we experience a part of God’s love for all

  Without hypocrisy – hypocrisy is to be phony, not real, faking it. God’s wisdom effects all that we are – internally – thus making us real.

Today, I call you to walk in God’s wisdom.  I plead with you to make those myriad of choices that are before you in His wisdom – therefore demonstrating to all the beauty and wonder of God’s wisdom

show by good conduct…works…done in the meekness of wisdom. (Jas 3:13)

Jim

Wanna Blog??? Have questions or want to comment on this edification?  You can do so at the E-edify Blog.  Go to http://eedify.wordpress.com/

Subscribe??? If you'd like to subscribe or unsubscribe to this list, e-mail us at eedify@calvaryroswell.com