Joining the "In Crowd"
Opening Prayer
Mighty God, there is wonderful power in Your Word. Grant me more of Your wisdom so that I might live for Your glory.
Read James 3:13-18
[13] Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. [14] But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. [15] Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. [16] For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. [17] 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. [18] Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Who in your church is truly wise, and who just thinks they are?We can see how fractious the relationships have become between those who have and those who have not. James reminds his readers that wisdom lies at the intersection of our thoughts and actions (13). Godly wisdom has a particular set of actions (17). A high IQ or social position does not automatically translate into truly wise behavior. The aspirations of some to climb the social pecking order are driven by envy and selfish ambition and are based on a worldly logic that all that matters is what others think of you. When this dominates our minds, we will do anything to be “in.” It is earthly, unspiritual and devilish (15)! It destroys community and causes us to resort to any means to achieve our objective, even destroying others. This so-called “wisdom” (15) leads to “disorder and every evil practice” (16). What’s wise about that? There’s a different wisdom, a true wisdom from God. It doesn’t arise from selfishness, but from godliness; it reveals itself in “others-centered” actions (17) resulting in unity and fairness. It worries less about what others think of us, but cares much more about how they actually are.
Apply
Complimenting others is a good thing, but craving respect from someone may be a sign of spiritual weakness. Ask God to give you his healing.
Closing prayer
Lord, give me the richness and strength of Your wisdom from heaven. Help me build those qualities and make them part of my life.
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