James 3:13-18 (13)Who
is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by
deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. (14)But if you
harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it
or deny the truth. (15)Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven
but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. (16)For where you have envy
and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. (17)But
the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving,
considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (18)Peacemakers
who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. (NIV)
In
the beginning, God created a beautiful world for man to enjoy. The earth was
full of creatures in the sea, birds in the air, animals on the land as well as
colorful trees and flowers. There was so much beauty, that God wanted to share
it with a man and woman who He would create from the dust of the ground with
His own hands. Adam and Eve had everything that they could possibly want. God
only had one command for them. They were to never eat from the Tree of
Knowledge consisting of both good and evil. To do so, would mean their total
separation from Him and bring about death.
Despite
God’s warning, they yielded to temptation and believed the lies of the devil.
He promised them knowledge, but he did not guarantee them wisdom. Wisdom, in
the things of God, requires surrender to the Holy Spirit, but knowledge can be
attained from the devil without the proper wisdom to use it. This is what both
Adam and Eve received once they ate from the forbidden tree. Their eyes were
opened to both good and evil, but they lacked the proper wisdom to fully
understand what they had done and how it would affect their lives and
generations to follow.
The
Apostle James lets us know that wisdom can either be attained by God or the
devil. The kind of wisdom that God gives is one of peace, submission and good
fruit, while the devil only offers wisdom in the ways of strife, malice,
discourse and selfish gain. Proverbs 2:6 For
the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. (NIV)
When we seek to follow Christ, we must ask Him to give us wisdom and knowledge
in order to align ourselves in the Spirit. Many people are educated in the
world, but few have the wisdom of God.
An
example of this is how Jesus had to constantly rebuke the religious teachers
and Pharisees during his day. They were very knowledgeable with regards to the
laws of Moses, but they lacked understanding with regards to the will of God.
It was easy for them to condemn others, while lacking in their own lives. Matthew
23:1-4 (1)Then Jesus
said to the crowds and to his disciples: (2)“The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. (3)So you must be careful to
do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not
practice what they preach. (4)They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other
people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to
move them. (NIV)
God desires men to
be knowledgeable leaders, while having the wisdom that only He can give. King
Solomon was wise when he asked God to give him wisdom in order to rule God’s
people. He knew that he could not do it on his own accord even though his
father was a great king. God honored his request and he was known to be the
wisest man in the Bible. God blesses those who ask for His divine wisdom and
understanding. Ephesians 1:17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you
may know him better. (NIV) If you desire wisdom ask God. To get it any other way will come
from the devil who is the deceiver of many. Never be too proud to ask for God’s
help because He gives to those who seek Him in abundance.
The Book of James: 30 Days of Devotion for Men by K L Rich available on Amazon.com.
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