I was in a wonderful Bible Study last evening with some very low key, humble, sweet people. Such a sweet spirit among us all. We were studying James 3. For some reason we started at the end of the chapter rather than the beginning. I guess that's where we were when we finished reading it. Wow. The LORD began to show me things I had not noticed before. May I share some of them with you?
James 3:13 Who is there among you who is wise and intelligent? Then let him by his noble living show forth his [good] works with the [unobtrusive] humility [which is the proper attribute] of true wisdom.
I love questions. And this one here beginning in vs 13 is a great one. Who is there among you, who is wise and intelligent? How would you recognize such a person as this? Is it because he is your pastor? Your teacher?
Use the criteria in this ONE VERSE to find the answer. Is that you? Or is that someone you look up too? A proper humble attituded. living HOLY before GOD and man? Do you even have such a person as this in your fellowship? In your circle of friends?
14 But if you have bitter jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry, selfish ambition) in your hearts, do not pride yourselves on it and thus be in defiance of and false to the Truth.
The next vs here exposes the opposite of "wisdom and intelligence" from above. This person harbors bitter jealousy. They are contentious about everything and every one. They are all about self ambition. Worse, they are prideful and boastful about it. These folks present a "chrisitan" that is alien to TRUTH and the Gospel. Worse, they boldly DEFY TRUTH. They take HIS name, in VAIN!
15 This [superficial] wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual (animal), even devilish (demoniacal).
Now, we're getting down to it. No matter their claim, or position they have self assumed, the root of "their wisdom" is pride, fleshy, and demonic. IN YOUR ASSEMBLIES! Perhaps in your heart? Hmmm? Hello?
16 For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices.
Is this happening in "your church"? I've seen this so much in CHURCHES down through the years, that I don't even bother to go anymore. It's sad. It would be a great mission field, if only they would LISTEN. But they don't. They are all about vs 16 above. And most of them are EMPTY as the lying preacher who has the nerve to stand before them and preach lies to them. Just a few old folks whose god is their tradition, and their obedience is to their preacher rather than the leading and guidance of the HOLY SPIRIT.
17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity).
PURE (undefiled)! That is the wisdom from above. They love calm worship in peace. Those who have this WISDOM that only has one source, are courteous, considerate, gentle and willing to submit to TRUTH rather than excuse their own lies, no matter the cost. They are full of compassion and everything listed in
Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
WISDOM! From above? Or from below?
Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
This is so clear! But the preachers won't preach this to his congregation, because the next week, there would be no congregation to preach too, except the HOLY SPIRIT convey an awakening.
James 3:18 And the harvest of righteousness (of conformity to God’s will in thought and deed) is [the fruit of the seed] sown in peace by those who work for and make peace [in themselves and in others, that peace which means concord, agreement, and harmony between individuals, with undisturbedness, in a peaceful mind free from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts].
Is this who you are? Are you part of the "peace corps"? Do you even know anyone in your local circle of friends like this?
Beloved. it's not hard to figure out "whose who". We simply need to take note of the TRUTH here in these few verses.
Who is WISE among you? Can they prove it by what James has to say here? Is LOVE and PEACE their banner and shield? Is it yours? Or do you need to rush to the CROSS this SABBATH DAY, and begin a new life in HIM, by putting to death your own life, that you might keep it in HIM. May the LORD abundantly bless you as you do..... L

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Lahry Sibley