James: Heavenly Versus Demonic Wisdom

James 3: 13-18 (NIV)

Two Kinds of Wisdom
 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. 

Real wisdom begins with a holy life.  When we are living the life that God has set before us, when we are at peace with our neighbors, and humble, when we are obedient to God that is when God gives us His wisdom.  When we start to be conniving or deceitful or we begin to get puffed up with knowledge, that is not wisdom from above.  A life of grace and mercy, a life of balance, a life that is filled with loving the people around you, if you can live like that it is because of God and the wisdom He gives you.  Someone who is hot one day and cold the next isn't living a life that is balanced or pleasing to the Lord.  We can all get into a rut and our life can begin to get out of whack, that is when we need to draw near to God and ask Him to give us wisdom and guide us.  Ask him to guide our thoughts, our words, our actions, our day to day dramas.  I want that kind of wisdom.  I want that kind of life Lord.  Please give us your wisdom today.