Daily Bible Reading – 9.16.2021
James 3:13-18, 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. 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, demonic. 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 reap a harvest of righteousness.
In good James’ fashion, he states that wisdom should show itself in practical ways in our daily life. He offers us two kinds of wisdom. The first is an earthly or ungodly kind of wisdom that comes from the home of evil itself.
Ungodly wisdom leads to unwise living. James identified bitter envy and selfish ambition as the two devilish sources that lead to disunity and division, as well as, many other ungodly actions.
It is interesting to note that the term “selfish ambition” translates a word that Aristotle used to describe the political factions that were creating havoc in Athens in his day. So, we do not have to look far to gain a good understanding of how this might present itself today.
The unwise have one passion: to advance their own interests. They are proud of what their so-called wisdom has brought them, and they’re jealous of others who compete against them and will ruthlessly mistreat them.
Wherever there is such self-centered striving and boasting, we will not find the wisdom of God. In fact, such arrogance diminishes and denies the very truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Such a selfish orientation has no part in the kingdom of God.
We will look at godly wisdom tomorrow.
Questions to Consider:
Have you ever found ungodly wisdom at work in your life? If so, when or where?
Weekly Memory Verse:
James 1:5, If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.