LEARNING DAILY

 

James 3:15-17, This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

 

The letter written by James says a lot about wisdom; it contrasts worldly wisdom with the wisdom that comes from above. In the days we live in it is imperative that you and I walk through the challenges with the wisdom only God gives if we are going to live on the narrow way to His kingdom and eternal life. This wisdom we need is the ability to discern between what is good and what is evil. Think for a few moments how the world we live in is calling good evil and evil good. In Isaiah 5:20. God says woe to those who do this; He is saying judgment is coming to those who do this.

 

“The wisdom that does not come from above promises knowledge but instead produces disobedience (Genesis 3:4-6), seeks to please the body (sensual) instead of pleasing God, creates chaos and strife, and is powered by the forces of hell (Romans 1:21, 22; Ephesians 2:1-3)” (from the notes in the DJSB). David Jeremiah also writes this might be thought of as the ‘wisdom of the crowd”. People with worldly wisdom often do anything to promote themselves or sho how much they know. We have all been around individuals who believe they are the wisest person in the room. But often confusion is the result of what they say.

 

We certainly do not need more confusion in our lives. One only wonders what the “leading doctor” on the covid virus has caused by changing his mind the many times that he has; talk about confusion! The answer to this is to seek the wisdom that comes from above. This wisdom comes through Jesus Christ through the presence of the Holy Spirit and through the study of God’s Word. It is the foundation we are to build on (Matthew 7:24-27).

 

Do you lack wisdom and want to live in this world with the wisdom from above? James 1:5 has the answer; ”If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” The New Living Translation says it this way, “If you need wisdom – if you want to know what God wants you to do – ask Him, and He will gladly tell you. He will not resent you asking.” You and I are to ask God for wisdom as we walk through this life to His kingdom. It is most often how to get through the circumstances instead of them being removed from us. The wisdom from above is to have spiritual ability to see and evaluate life from God’s perspective. By that I mean we make right choices and do what is right by God’s will as revealed through His Word and by the leading of the Holy Spirit. We can ask for His wisdom and receive it in faith as we draw close to Him. His wisdom comes with His peace, gentleness, with mercy and good fruit. Oh, how we need His wisdom to live in the evil world!

 

From now on DJSB will be used to note information or quotes from the David Jeremiah Study Bible and LSSB will refer to information and quotes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible.  I have added Jimmy Swaggart’s Expositor’s Study Bible to be referred to from now on as JSESB