Wisdom Choice

Wisdom Choice

James 3: ¹³ Are there any of you who are wise and understanding? You are to prove it by your good life, by your good deeds performed with humility and wisdom. ¹⁴ But if in your heart you are jealous, bitter, and selfish, don't sin against the truth by boasting of your wisdom. ¹⁵ Such wisdom does not come down from heaven; it belongs to the world, it is unspiritual and demonic. ¹⁶ Where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is also disorder and every kind of evil. ¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is pure first of all; it is also peaceful, gentle, and friendly; it is full of compassion and produces a harvest of good deeds; it is free from prejudice and hypocrisy. ¹⁸ And goodness is the harvest that is produced from the seeds the peacemakers plant in peace.

 

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After being on academic probation, I decided to stop partying for a while and study. I got on the dean’s list that semester, so I felt pretty good about “my” achievement. I could not share the achievement with some people because I was still bitter over what happened.

 

• I made a choice to keep bitterness in my heart.
• I chose to remain wounded instead of trying to heal.
• As “smart” as people told me I was, I still did not have life together.

 

James addressed two types of wisdom. One came from the world and the other from above. He describes the wisdom of the world as unspiritual and demonic due to the lack of good deeds and peace.

 

My Observations:

• GOD’s wisdom produces good deeds through me.
• GOD’s wisdom enables me to have peace that is beyond understanding.
• GOD’s wisdom is friendly, gentle and free from prejudice, so HE wants me to choose HIS way.

 

Removing GOD from anything is not wise. I mean, GOD is the creator of everything. HE made the people, places and things we study and hypothesize about. When I come up with a conclusion that GOD does not have anything to do with what I am observing, or I think human wisdom is greater than GOD, I get in deep trouble. GOD has an better path.

 

GOD desires that I choose to be gentle, compassionate and friendly so I can produce good deeds for HIM. The less I give credit to the world, the more GOD shows me HIS infinite wisdom. I am glad GOD produces the harvest, which is full of goodness.

 

Challenge

• What two types of wisdom does the writer discuss?
• Have you ever been jealous, bitter or selfish?
• Will you seek GOD’s wisdom by letting go of yours to obtain HIS today?

Earthly and Heavenly Lessons

John 3: ⁹ ‘How can this be?’ Nicodemus asked.

¹⁰ ‘You are Israel’s teacher,’ said Jesus, ‘and do you not understand these things? ¹¹ Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.¹² I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? ¹³ No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven – the Son of Man. ¹⁴ Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, ¹⁵ that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.’

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“This doesn’t make sense” I reasoned. As I read the bible verses I wondered really how some of it happened. I mean I haven’t seen any oceans parting lately.

• There were times when I was skeptical of parts of the Bible.
• There were times when I rationalized GOD into a small myth.
• There were times when I thought the Bible was a grouping of old tales and belief should come from what could be seen.

JESUS says to Nicodemus “You are supposed to be a scholar and you don’t understand simple things.” Nicodemus questioned being “born again” and JESUS pointed out that this was a “heavenly” lesson.

• GOD wants me to believe what is not seen.
• GOD wants me to have faith in HIS mighty power.
• GOD wants me to receive HIS goodness on a daily basis even when it doesn’t “look” the way I think is should.

Earthly lessons are derived from the five senses of humans and proven by observation which are centered humans being the top of everything. BUT GOD says something different. HE says “I AM” giving no other explanation to who HE is. HIS infinite power cannot be proven, nor HIS infinite knowledge nor HIS infinite presence.

GOD is and that is my proof. HE chased me down and opened my eyes to spiritual matters that require belief and that is it. I made a choice to believe in JESUS and I am grateful HE chose me before I ever knew HIM. HIS heavenly lesson is wonderful.

• What parts of the Bible have you thrown away with skepticism?
• Do you know so much that GOD can no longer perform HIS mighty miracles?
• Will you stop looking at life through unfaithful earthly eyes and allow GOD to show you just how powerful HE is today?