wisdom or jealousy

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. James 3:13 NLT

James, masterfully, addresses thr hidden truth of the heart.  At the beginning of chapter 3 he states: 'not many of you should become teachers'. He then goes on to talk about self-control, in relationship to speech. Finally he says the above verse, going on to speak about the motives of the heart.  If our wisdom is in fact rooted in bitter envy and selfish ambition then we are in danger of every kind of evil. However, if our wisdom is from above it is peaceloving,  gentle, compliant, and full of mercy and truth  then the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace.

James is confronting us with truth. We must examine ourselves. What are our motives? Why do we want to be teachers? 

I notice on Facebook there is a stance that some Christians take that is judgemental regarding the supposed practices in some of God's people. Where do they get their information from? Other critical people who are offended by these churches? Jesus said of the Pharisee,  those who offend the Holy Spirit by claiming his works through a person is of the devil, are in serious peril. Do we not fear such a judgement  from our Lord?

Jesus also said He was given authority to judge but He judged noone. Where do we get the right to judge? Although we are called to judge the church (1 Cor 5:12) it would be prudent to be experientally present in our knowledge, or to have received accurate testimony from someone who has been present,  and who is not biased through jealousy.

We have better things to do than be judgemental. Amen!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Who Rules?

The princes of Judah are like those who move boundary markers, I will pout out my fury on them like water. Hosea 5:10 World leaders of church and state are now all highly visible. When they are not open to consultation or do not listen they make judgements that are judged as foolish by both God and man. In Australia we just celebrated Australia Day and at this time various people are honoured for their contribution to society. Our Prime Minister, Mr Abbott, without consultation, conferred a knighthood on the Queen of England's husband, Phillip. Almost to a person, Australians judged this to be foolish. Even supporters have now distanced themselves. Imagine what it is like when church leaders follow their own emotions or the emotions of their people and change what is acceptable to God. For example, no longer considering adultery something that precludes a man from ministry. We might think we are clever, but actually going with a sinful flow. Where is God in all this? My emotions ar...
Read more

Know Your Sword!

So he took Him to Jerusalem, had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "if you are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written: 'He will give His angels orders concerning You, to protect you, they will support You with their hands, so that you will not strike Your foot against a stone.' And Jesus answered him, "it is said: 'do not test The Lord your God." And the Devil had finished every temptation, he departed from Him for a time. Luke 4:9-11 In this third test Satan quoted scripture but Jesus knew His scripture and was not going to be deceived by his enemy twisting the truth. I am amazed at what Satan tempted Jesus with. He did not know Christ. He had succeeded in tempting the first Adam yet he was thwarted in this attempt. Jesus had lived 30 years and been tutored in godliness with contentment, he was prepared, baptised in the Spirit and sold out to the Father's purpose. Every time our enemy comes against us we ...
Read more

Little Things Grow

The boy's mother said to Elisha, "as The Lord lives and you yourself live, I will not leave you. So he got up and followed her. 2 Kings 4:30 The Shunamite woman had travelled to Mt Carmel to find Elisha after the death of her son. Although Elisha had sent his servant Gehazi to the boy with his staff the woman had come to find Elisha and was not leaving without him. I like this lady's spirit. I am sure The Lord God Almighty also valued her heart. She had a heart for God and made room for Him in her world. Now, having lost her son she knew what to do: find Elisha and not let him go until he came to restore her son. What made the Shunamite woman believe that Elisha could raise her son? Was it the same faith that made her provide him a place to stay in her home? I believe it was God working in her life. I am grateful for her faith, I can read and be encouraged. We do not know her name yet her story lives in scripture. What a little thing it was to feed Elisha and then provide ...
Read more