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Wisdom that comes from Heaven

             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. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.  Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 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. (James 3:13-18)

 

There are some folks for whom Christianity seems to be a game. They’re rooting for the home team. And if the home team does something they don’t like, they form another home team to root for. In the end, it’s about their winning and those who aren’t on their team losing. In short, their Christianity is based in selfish ambition. Eventually, their deeds reveal them to be who they truly are. To be honest, all of us can fall into that category without much of a shove, but Scripture teaches against such “wisdom.”

The wisdom that comes from heaven is pure. It’s not mixed up with worldly wisdom. It doesn’t advocate worldly methods. It doesn’t condone or partner with the world and its ways. One could say that this wisdom is stubborn, tough stuff.

The wisdom that comes from heaven is peace-loving. It does not advocate the general use of force or violence to achieve its ends. Its goal is to draw others in, not pull or push them. It’s stubborn and tough, but not aggressive.

The wisdom that comes from heaven is considerate. It reasons with others, walks with them as they think about things.

The wisdom that comes from heaven is full of mercy and good fruit. It’s not about people getting what’s coming to them. “Karma” isn’t wisdom in this school of thought. Instead, it’s about saving the plant that bears bad fruit, and working with it until it bears good. The wisdom from above deals with the person as a person.

The wisdom that comes from heaven is impartial. It doesn’t pick or play favorites. It doesn’t matter who screws up or who does well. Wisdom responds to the act, not the rank or power of the person.

The wisdom that comes from heaven is sincere. It’s not waxed to hide cracks. It doesn’t pretend that everything is fine when it isn’t – but at the same time, it doesn’t turn to others indiscriminately for help. It holds what is put in it without leaking or breaking.

Lord, grant me wisdom from heaven, that I may bless others.

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