Religion & Spirituality
James 3:13-18 If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.Godly Wisdom is knowing what God wants you to do, understanding why he wants you to do it and then doing it. James 3:13 Worldly Wisdom is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. The World- A system of ideas, values, moral practices, and social norms that are integrated into the mainstream and eventually institutionalized in a culture corrupted by the twin sins of rebellion against God and the redefinition of good and evil.Worldly Wisdom is EarthlyTo be earthly is to be temporal.Worldly Wisdom is UnspiritualTo be unspiritual is to be alive to your desires and lusts but deadened to The Spirit of God. Worldly Wisdom is DemonicTo be demonic is to be influenced and approved by Satan’s Kingdom. John 17:13-19 “Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.”James 3:15-16 Fruit of Worldly Wisdom:JealousySelfish AmbitionJealousy is a desire for another’s gifts, possessions, position, or achievements.Who are you jealous of? Why are you jealous of them? Selfish ambition evaluates everything by the world’s standards (temporal, animalistic, and demonic) and makes personal gain life’s highest goal. What is driving you? Do people feel used by you or loved by you? James 3:17-18 Pure Fruit of Godly Wisdom:Peace LovingGentle at all TimesWilling to Yield to OthersFull of MercyGood DeedsValues All PeopleSincerity James 1:5 Prayer for Wisdom:Our Generous Father In Heaven, I ask you for Godly wisdom.I want to know what you want me to do and understand why you want me to do it. Help me apply the understanding you give me, so it leads to a beautiful life.Godly wisdom is found in your Word. Help me prize and esteem wisdom, to desire and cherish her. Create in me a heart that seeks wisdom like silver and searches for her like hidden treasure.Surround me with wise walkers and seasoned talkers. Make my ear attentive. Help me spot worldly wisdom and grant me an adverse reaction to its earthly, unspiritual, and demonic nature. Reveal to me any jealousy or selfish ambition lurking in my heart so I may repent. I count it all joy to be considered by the world a fool for Christ. May Godly wisdom produce a harvest of righteousness in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.