Week 20: Day 4
In today's Orbit reflection, Simon is helping us unpack the difference between worldly wisdom and Godly wisdom.
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.
Intro: Hi everyone, we are coming to end of James chapter 3 today and I hope you have got something useful out of it – it’s such a direct chapter and James really hammers home the difference between Christian, godly behaviour and character and unchristian, ungodly behaviour and character. Let’s get to it!
Bible: James 3:16-18 says:
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.
Thoughts: Christians must distinguish between spiritual wisdom and worldly wisdom. Some people are undoubtedly skilful in laying plans and using circumstances to achieve their goals, but their actions are often characterised by jealousy, selfishness and dishonesty. This is worldly wisdom. It comes not from God but from Satan, and results in wrong actions. It contrasts sharply with spiritual wisdom, which is characterized by humility and honesty!
To be earthly or worldly is to be materialistic. Earthly wisdom will tell you that the most important things in life are your wealth, your health, and your happiness… A person living by earthly wisdom will be driven by making money and being happier. To be earthly is to be temporary. Earthly wisdom is about the here and now. For them it’s about getting all you can now, because you only live once. They have very little to no thought of the world to come…
This type of worldly wisdom is driven by emotions. It refers to being selfish! That part of you that hungers, lusts, craves, and desires something apart from God. This type of wisdom ignores the Holy Spirit. This person is guided by their own selfish desires, rather than the Spirit of God.
But those who act according to spiritual wisdom will consider the well-being of others before their own. They will be free of any trace of deception or dishonesty.
Prayer: Lord we pray that we can discern spiritual wisdom that comes only from you and that we will not be caught up in selfish ambition. Help us to be peacemakers and a good example to those around us in this area.
Silence: And now a few moments of silence for you to pray, reflect on these ideas, or simply sit and be still.
Action: Verse 18 reminds us of Jesus’ words from the Beatitudes – blessed are the peacemakers. Always strive for peace with those around you and be a peacemaker in situations – how can you do that today? Are there any situations you can be a peacemaker in right now and set a Godly example to others? Write them down, write names of people down, pray for them, and seek God’s wisdom to be a peacemaker.
Outro: Remember guys, the farmer who sows good seed can expect a good harvest. Similarly, Christians who sow peace by building good relations with others can expect to see a harvest of God’s work at hand in their lives and in those around them as they set a Christ like example for them. I’ve really enjoyed sharing James 3 with you so stick around tomorrow for a psalm!