Monday, July 20, 2009

James 3:13-18

Just some thoughts I've been meditating on today =)

"Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."

James 3:13-18

"Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom"
Show your wisdom by your good conduct --> not to attract attention to the things you're doing, but act meekly. Wisdom has power but meekness means using that power in a gracious way so as to not attraction attention or praise to oneself.


"But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth."
What is true about you? Do not act like you're more important than you are. It should be evident from your conduct that you love the truth.

"This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice."
Jealousy and selfishness destroy everything good.
Seeking your own good above others is demonic.
Seeking your own good will bring about "every vile practice."

"But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere."
God's wisdom is pure
The world's wisdom says, "whatever feels good must be right"
God's wisdom is peaceable
The world's wisdom is proud and selfish
God's wisdom is gentle
The world's wisdom is harsh to those unable to work the system
God's wisdom is open to reason
The world's wisdom is afraid to be wrong
God's wisdom is full of mercy
The world's wisdom does not understand true mercy
God's wisdom is full of good fruits
The world's wisdom brings about depraved societies
God's wisdom is impartial
The world's wisdom says to treat those who you can get something from better than those without anything to offer
God's wisdom is sincere
The world's wisdom is fickle and ever changing



"And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."

Righteousness is produced by peacemaking
making peace, sows seeds of righteousness that when nurtured will bring about even more righteous behavior

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