The Virtuous Life – Day 221 – James 3-13-18 – Deeds Done In Humility – Growing As Disciples
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 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. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. James 3:13-18 (NIV)
Demonstrating Wisdom
What does wisdom look like? How will you know if you are thinking and speaking and acting wisely? How will you gauge if you are truly wise? When can you be very sure that wisdom is lacking? What will be the result and end product of your life if you are living wisely? Those are all good questions. Go ahead and answer them. I will start by describing what wisdom is not. That is a good place to start. Wisdom does not harbor bitter envy. Wisdom is not fueled by selfish ambition. Wisdom is not boastful, nor will it deny what is true. Anything that looks or sounds or acts like this is not heavenly wisdom, it is worldly wisdom, that is unspiritual and comes from the devil. Out of this kind of evil springs disorder, discord, disunity, and a host of evil practices. I want none of this so-called wisdom in my life. That’s good.
You have said enough about what is not. Describe what heavenly wisdom looks like. Heavenly wisdom is demonstrated by actions. It is not a lot of talk. A wise person’s life demonstrates wisdom by humbly doing good deeds. They live a life for others. They love like you loved. They give like you gave. They serve like you served. Heavenly wisdom loves peace. It is considerate and submissive. Heavenly wisdom is filled with mercy. It is impartial and sincere. If I am truly wise, I will be known as a peacemaker. If I am truly wise, my life will bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom. If I am truly wise, my life will bring glory to your name. Yes, you will. Do you want to live a life filled with heavenly wisdom? Yes, I do. That is the desire or my heart. That is how I will think and speak and act. That will be very good.
Lord, I know that I have often thought, or spoke, or acted unwisely. Forgive me. Help me to live a life of humbly doing good deeds for others. Develop in me all the character qualities that are part of being truly wise. For your glory, bear good fruit through my life. Amen
Key Question… What character qualities are essential elements of living a life filled with wisdom?
Living It Out… Demonstrate wisdom by humbly doing good deeds for others.
Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to demonstrate wisdom by humbly doing good deeds for others.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are humbly doing good deeds for others.
Prayer To Bless Others… May your life demonstrate wisdom by humbly doing good deeds for others.
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The Virtuous Life – Day 221 – James 3-13-18 – Deeds Done In Humility – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
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