James 3:13-18
"If you are wise and understand God’s way, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.But the wisdom from above 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 the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.” James 3:13-18 (NLT)
According to Wikipedia, there are over 60,000 different species of trees throughout the World. In Nebraska you can find 97 varieties of trees - some are native to Nebraska and some have been cultivated to grow in Nebraska. Are you good at identifying different trees? If you really take the time to study them you will see there are differences in their bark, leaves and, of course, their seeds and fruits. An oak tree looks entirely different from a pine tree; however, they are both trees. A pine tree will never produce an acorn, nor will an oak tree ever produce a pine cone.
In today’s scripture, James is making a contrast between a person’s life who relies upon God for his/her wisdom and a person who uses only worldly information. There will be differences between the lives of these people and the things they may do. Can you identify which is which in someone’s life and within your own life? James has given us clues and things to watch for in discerning. If the world and Satan are motivating a person’s speech and life, there may be bitter jealousy, selfish ambition, earthly concerns & desire, unspiritual thoughts & desires which all may lead to disorder and discontent. In contrast, if God’s wisdom is a person’s motivator, his/her life is more likely to be filled with purity, consideration for others, submission, mercy, sincerity, impartiality, and goodness, which will lead to peace.
As we look at this list of fruits that our lives can produce, there is no question as to which list we would want to strive for. We are at the beginning of a new year and it is always good to take inventory of where our lives are and to think seriously about where we would like to be heading. It has often been stated that you as a Christian may be the only Bible your friends and neighbors may ever read. Let’s seek to produce the best fruits we can as there are people watching us.
Questions for Reflection:
- Where do I look for wisdom and information?
- Am I finding more discontentment or peace in my life?
- What changes can I make to find more peace?
Prayer:
Good and gracious God,
Thank you for Your word that lights the path for my journey through this life. I know that I often fail to listen to Your wisdom; therefore the fruits my life produces are more worldly than Godly. Please open my eyes that I may see glimpses of truth that You have for me. Open my ears that I may hear voices of truth that You send to me. Amen
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