Something we are studying in our Bible study is wisdom. This is the scripture we were looking at this week. How we act and respond to situations can show whether our wisdom is from above or not.
James 3: 13-18 is a clear gauge that we can use to see if we are on track or not.
James 3 (ESV)
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
James 3 (MSG)
13-16 Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn’t wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn’t wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn’t wisdom. It’s the furthest thing from wisdom—it’s animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you’re trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others’ throats.
James 3 (ESV)
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
James 3 (MSG)17-18 Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.
How would you classify that little situation yesterday?
| Wisdom from Above | or | Wisdom from Below |
| good life | bitter envy | |
| deeds done in humility | selfish ambition | |
| pure | boastful | |
| peace-loving | deny the truth | |
| considerate | earthly | |
| submissive | unspiritual | |
| full of mercy | demonic | |
| good fruit | disorder | |
| impartial | every evil practice | |
| sincere | jealous |
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