Prove It
James 3:13: “Who is wise and understanding among you?” If we are wise and understanding – we would have proof of that. That proof comes, as James wrote, by good conduct, works that are done in meekness of wisdom. If we haven’t got that proof, how then do we gain that wisdom and understanding?
Some time ago I was in a situation that, frankly, made me nervous and sad. I was not treated well and it just about killed my spirit. What got me through was James 3:13-18; “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… 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.”
I broke this scripture down – I had to digest it and make it part of me. If I didn’t, I would not have made it through. No matter who we are with, what event we may be participating in, we have one and only one obligation; to show good conduct. And that good conduct is done in the meekness of wisdom. Meekness of wisdom – what in the world is that? For me it meant that I needed to put Rose aside – my fears, my hurts, my wants. I needed to be compliant and yielding to God and to others. I needed to be tamed!
It would be only when that was true of me that I could look at those around me and live in that wisdom that comes from above and be at peace. If I am peaceable, (“as far as it depends on you be at peace with all people) it doesn’t matter if those around me feel the same. If it depends fully on me to be at peace, and abide in that. If I can do that, then I have done my part. But James instructs us even further, the wisdom from above is also gentle and willing to yield. We have got to stop resisting and striving. Giving God center stage in our circumstances allows us to be at peace and ultimately to reap a harvest of righteousness. I love that part of the scripture. Imagine that you have planted a crop by making peace. That crop is going to produce righteousness; a fullness in faith, knowing that God has got you no matter what is going on around you. Paul talked about reaping a harvest as a result of the choices and attitudes that we make throughout our walk. And it all leads to wisdom and understanding.
That crop – the crop that produces righteousness, has fruits. What are the fruits of righteousness? In Galatians we are told that the fruit of the Spirit are “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Very much what James said we would achieve if we put aside bitter envy and self-seeking in our heart. Like any crop, there is the planting, the watering, and fertilizing that must be done in order to produce fruit.
When we do this, we are conducting our lives in the way that God commands and as a result He brings these gifts into our lives. And gifts they really are. It is a holiness that spreads through us and into others with compassion. Rather than respond in our old ways, in mindless reactions, we respond to others and our situations in wisdom and understanding.
I believe it helps to remember what love is - because love never fails. Jesus said that we had only to do two things; “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself”. Clearly not a suggestion. It is a command. Jesus said that this is the greatest commandment in the law.
How do we love one another? It isn’t easy. But when I’ve been hurt by someone, or am simply not feeling it, I refer to a postcard to which I have written the attributes of love from 1 Corinthians 13. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
Breaking down each of the attributes of love helps me get through a situation where I may not feel it. Reading aloud 1Corinthians 13 reminds me what true love is. I think the most important one for many of us is keeping no record of wrongs. The more records we keep, the more we run through them in our minds, the more likely we are to find it difficult to move on and ultimately gain wisdom and understanding. The same could be said of all of Chapter 13: 4 -8. Jesus not only commanded us to love – but through scripture, taught us how to do it.
Bottom line is – when faced with a situation or a person that has disappointed us or hurt us in some way – we must apply the very clear instructions on how to love. The results of integrating this into our daily lives and our relationships is wisdom and understanding. I want that! “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding” -- Proverbs.
We can’t be wise when anger or resentment lives in our hearts. Philippians 1:9-11: And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
