How Godly Wisdom Operates, Continued (James 3:17)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR  10-06-03

 

My Worship Time                  Focus:  How Godly Wisdom Operates, Continued

 

Bible Reading & Meditation             Reference:  James 3:17

 

            1.  Message of the verse:  “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.”  (NASB)  “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere.”  (NLT)

4. God’s wisdom operates with gentleness.  An example of a gentle person is one who does not start fights, but he would not compromise the truth in order to keep peace just for the sake of peace.
5. God’s wisdom operates with compliance.  This is the only time this word is used in the NT as far as I can see.  Strongs says this concerning this word, “easily obeying, compliant.”  The person who has this portion of God’s wisdom operating in there life will be a person who will listen, think, pray and obey whatever God reveals.  He will be quick to listen and slow to speak as James 1:19 speaks to, but will not compromise the truth.
6. God’s wisdom operates with mercy.  The verse says full of mercy and good fruits so in order to understand this the word full must be understood.  Strongs has this definition:  “in reference to persons, whose minds are as it were filled with thoughts and emotions, either good or bad.”  Grace means that God gives us what we do not deserve and mercy means that God does not give us what we truly do deserve.  For a good illustration of mercy in practice the story of the Good Samaritan is found in Luke 10:25-37.  The Good Samaritan could get nothing for helping this Jewish stranger except a blessing that comes from God, for the stranger could not repay him for the help. 

 

2.  Spiritual meaning for my life:  These fruits of how God’s wisdom are surely wonderful to have working in my life.  I too need to be full of mercy and demonstrate a gentle spirit, and be slow to speak and to be eager to hear, but not to compromise any of the truths of God’s speech.

 

The Word of God was surely full of God’s wisdom, and it also was convicting to my heart as I read it this morning.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  James says is we lack wisdom we are to ask of God and He will be more than willing, even eager to give us His wisdom.  I must trust the Lord to give me this wisdom, and I must be just as eager to ask Him for it.

 

Memory verses for the week:  James 1:4-6

 

4.      And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

5.      But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

6.      But let him ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.