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13 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. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17 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. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. 1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. (James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a NRSV Bible)
There are two type of wisdom; that from below, and that from above. And you and I have met people from both realms. And yes, we have both types in the Church. A departed friend of mine moved from campus ministry into prison chaplaincy and he would always say he had an advantage over me because he said, "I know right away who the real criminals are." And we're not talking just about those who don't read the bulletin...
James is serious in his experiences as a pastor and as a believer and as commonly believed, as the brother of Jesus. James knows and shares that the wisdom from above is marked by purity, peace, gentleness, and mercy. It fosters a harvest of righteousness. In stark contrast, earthly wisdom—driven by envy and selfish ambition—creates disorder and wickedness.
James also points to the source of conflict within us: our own desires and cravings. When we seek to fulfill these desires through our own means, we often find ourselves in conflict with others and with God. Instead of pursuing our selfish ambitions, James urges us to submit ourselves to God and seek His guidance. James truly believes that true wisdom comes from a heart aligned with God. It involves a life marked by peace, gentleness, and a willingness to yield. This wisdom is not just theoretical but is demonstrated through our actions and relationships. Those who possess this wisdom came to it through prayer, listening, and reflection; their lives were shaped by an active faith led by the Spirit.
Our internal conflicts and disputes often arise from unfulfilled desires. When we pursue these desires with wrong motives, we not only miss out on God's blessings but also create strife in our lives. The remedy for our spiritual conflicts and misguided desires is to submit to God, resist temptation, and draw near to Him. As we approach God with sincerity, He draws near to us, offering His guidance and peace.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble hearts, seeking Your wisdom and guidance. We recognize the times we have pursued our own desires and ambitions, leading to conflict and disorder. Forgive us for the moments we have acted out of selfishness rather than out of Your pure wisdom. Grant us the grace to submit to You fully, to resist temptation, and to draw near to You in our daily lives. Help us to cultivate a heart that reflects the wisdom from above—one that is peaceful, gentle, and full of mercy. May Your presence guide us in our decisions and interactions, transforming our lives to reflect Your love and righteousness. We trust in Your promise that as we seek You, You will draw near to us. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Take time this week to reflect on areas of your life where selfish ambition or envy might be at play. Ask God to reveal these areas and help you realign your motives with His will. Make a conscious effort to apply the wisdom from above in your daily interactions. Be gentle, peaceable, and full of mercy in your relationships. Set aside dedicated time each day for prayer and reflection, seeking to draw closer to God. Use this time to submit your desires and decisions to His guidance. Identify and address any conflicts or disputes in your life. Approach these situations with a spirit of reconciliation and seek to be a peacemaker, reflecting the wisdom from above.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
