Intro: In the days in which we live, it has become very clear to me that many human beings devalue God’s wisdom. In fact, Satan and the forces of evil are working overtime to “reduce” humanity’s interest in gaining godly wisdom by exalting technology, science, and human intellect—certainly not bad things in and of themselves, but neither are they the wisest source of study and knowledge upon which to build our spiritual lives. We were never created to make an intellectual assent into God’s presence—we must use faith in Christ.
Last year, the average person spent 403 minutes each day on the internet seeking information and gaining a form of “knowledge.” Friends, I suspect people spend much more time researching the internet searching for information that reinforces their views and affirms their desires; rather than praying, reading God’s Word, and seeking God for His divine wisdom to help govern and direct their lives. In this way, we have become people pleasers rather than God’s pleasers on a journey toward personal autonomy.
Here’s a simple definition of science: Science is the pursuit and application of knowledge and understanding of the natural and social world following a systematic methodology based on evidence. Every time I look at a beautiful sunrise or sunset I see the “evidence” or handiwork of Creator God. Wouldn’t it be great if humanity was on a quest for truth based on the One who is True and created all things?
In our passage today, the apostle James reminds us godly wisdom provides spiritual understanding and practical discernment to pursue righteousness [to be right in God’s eyes] which is God’s purpose for his human creation. God’s wisdom is not of this world, so we must humbly submit ourselves to the Word of God [deference] and ask the Holy Spirit to supernaturally help us apply the Truth to our lives. This is how we build our spiritual lives in God’s wisdom.
Have a fabulous weekend! Hope to see you in worship…
James 3:13-18 NLV Wisdom from Above
13 Who among you is wise and understands? Let that one show from a good life by the things he does that he is wise and gentle. 14 If you have jealousy in your heart and fight to have many things, do not be proud of it. Do not lie against the truth. 15 This is not the kind of wisdom that comes from God. But this wisdom comes from the world and from that which is not Christian and from the devil. 16 Wherever you find jealousy and fighting, there will be trouble and every other kind of wrong-doing. 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. Then it gives peace. It is gentle and willing to obey. It is full of loving-kindness and of doing good. It has no doubts and does not pretend to be something it is not. 18 Those who plant seeds of peace will gather what is right and good.
Prayer: Lord, your peace is about the wholeness only you can bring our lives. We try to fill our emptiness with stuff and fix ourselves, but you have created us for the salvation only you can bring into the personal chaos of the human soul. So, help us humbly reach for your pure Truth by asking for the wisdom we need each day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.