Living in the Spirit

September 16, 2021

Scripture Reading: James 3:13 – 4:3, 7-8a

Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of Wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such Wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. But the Wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace. –James 3:13-18

Gentleness born of wisdom sounds like learning from one’s mistakes. We all make them, some small, some great. If our experiences make us bitter rather than better, we have learned nothing. James indicates there is a third piece to this process. Whether the Wisdom we gain from experience is complemented with the Wisdom that comes from God. God created us with free will; God also provides us with the constant presence of the Spirit to guide us in our development toward wholeness.

James provides pointers to help us differentiate worldly wisdom and God’s Wisdom. God’s Wisdom is clearly identifiable when it is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy.My challenge is recognizing my partiality or hypocrisy. I seem to see it in others, but I need the light of Christ brightly illuminating a pure vision of myself.

Prayer: Lord, shine your light on me so that I am open to letting your light shine through me. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.