Thursday, January 4, 2024
Pause. Pray. Read. Be still. Write. Pray. Go about your day or turn in for the night.
Read: James 3: 13-18 Two Kinds of Wisdom
Who is wise and knowledgeable among you?
(James 3:13, NRSVUE)
James discusses two kinds of wisdom in this passage: earthly wisdom and godly wisdom. The first, by nature, centers on oneself; the latter, by intention and choice, centers on Christ. The first only talks a good talk; the latter walks the walk it talks. The first twists the truth while godly wisdom lives by it. Matthew Henry commented that, in essence, “these verses show the difference between [people’s] pretending to be wise, and their being really so.”
How do we discern the difference? According to James, earthly wisdom dresses up in speaking before thinking, arrogance, partiality, and manipulative behavior; it creates disorder and division. Godly wisdom wears humility and yields the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Be still and Reflect: Replay in your mind your week thus far. Which kind of wisdom was most on display in your day-to-day practices?
Pray: Righteous and Loving God, Search me and know my heart. Test me and know my thoughts and motivations. Strengthen my resolve to remain faithful and obedient to Your Word. Let me not be wise in my own eyes but employ Your wisdom in all my daily activities, decisions, and conversations. Open my ears to hear what needs to be heard. Embolden me to say what needs to be said according to Your truth. Enable me to do what You would have me do, so that in all my ways, my path remains straight, aligned with Your everlasting wisdom. In the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.