
Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 142 – James 3:13-18 – Who Is Wise – 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)
Wisdom From Heaven
Do you know what wisdom from heaven looks like? I’m not sure. I can take a guess. Go ahead take a guess. First, I will say what wisdom from heaven does not look like. Wherever there is bitter envy or selfish ambition you can be sure that your wisdom will not be found. Bitter envy and selfish ambition bring disorder and every evil practice. Like what? Bitter envy and selfish ambition pit people against each. These desires create conflict and destruction. Nothing good will come out of bitter envy or selfish ambition. Lying and cheating and stealing come out of bitter envy and selfish ambition. Love and hope and peace and joy are destroyed by bitter envy and selfish ambition. You will not find kindness and mercy coexisting with bitter envy and selfish ambitions. These desires are the devil’s tools that he uses to steal and kill and destroy life That is true.
Your wisdom looks nothing like bitter envy and selfish ambition. What does my wisdom look like? Your wisdom is pure. Your wisdom is peace-loving. Your wisdom is considerate and submissive, full of mercy and good fruit. Your wisdom is impartial and sincere. These don’t sound like guesses on your part. No, I am not guessing. What I have learned and will learn about your wisdom comes from your word. You have been using your word to teach me your wisdom. That is true, my word will instruct you and teach you my wisdom. What do you want my wisdom to do in and through you? I want your wisdom to make me fruitful for you. I want your word to be make me wise in all that I think, say and do. I want to be able to live a life of humbly doing good deeds for your kingdom and glory. I want to be a peacemaker who sows peace so that I can reap a rich harvest for you. You have wise desires in you. I will make you wise as you allow my word to do its work in you. Thank you, Lord.
Lord, I will guard against bitter envy and selfish ambition. I want to lead a good life that puts your wisdom on display by humbly doing good deeds for others. I also want to be a peacemaker who sows in peace and reaps a rich harvest for your kingdom and glory. Amen
Key Question… How are you asking the Lord to help you to live a life that is filled with His wisdom?
Living It Out… Ask the Lord to help you to put His wisdom on display by humbly doing good deeds for others.
Seeing It Happen…Have faith that the Lord will help you to humbly do good deeds that will display His wisdom working in and through you.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is giving you wisdom to humbly do good deeds.
Prayer To Bless Others… May your life demonstrate wisdom by humbly doing good deeds.
For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:
Promises – Day 142 – James 3-13-18 – Who Is Wise? – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
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