Faith that Works Day 7

James 3:13-18

God’s Wisdom is Different

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

What did you think, feel, or see as you read?

Often when I think of sin, I think of the outward things I do. Sometimes I think of the things I fail to do. Rarely do I think of the things I allow in my heart and dwell on. James is addressing these here. Jealousy and selfish ambition have become norms that we allow to live unencumbered in our hearts. These are dangerous and vile. Rather than allowing these harmful thoughts to reside, we must seek to have pure, peaceable, gentle thoughts.

How can you combat the selfish desires within you? How can you cultivate selfless attitudes like peace, purity, and gentleness?