November 11, 2024

Passage Read: James 2-3
Meditation Verses: 3:16-18

Thought

Earthly, natural, demonic wisdom ignores bitter jealousy and selfish ambition. It denies the existence of such things in the heart and justifies every expression of bitterness and jealousy and selfish ambition. So it produces disorder and every evil thing. God is a God of order, so this wisdom is not from Him. The wisdom that comes from God must produce order, at least in the heart and life of the one who possesses it. So it must be pure, not hypocritical, peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruit and unwavering. It must be steadfast in all these qualities. It must be humble and gracious, not seeking its own glory but the glory of God and the good of all. It works to bring order, so it must both listen and speak truth to bring people together in the Truth. It sows righteousness through peace by making peace. Those who operate in worldly, natural, demonic wisdom either need to repent or be driven out, otherwise disorder and every evil thing sabotage every effort at peace.

Application

Those in the grip of demonic wisdom need to be gently, reasonably and mercifully rebuked in the hope that they will be granted repentance. But even Paul says to warn a factious man once, twice, then to have nothing more to do with him. Arrogance shows itself in thinking that continually enduring that person can eventually win them through the love and grace and endurance shown to them. God, on the other hand, says to expel them. Am I really wiser than God, to think that my way is better than His? To think that I can do love and mercy and grace better than Him? It is not loving or gracious to allow disorder and every evil thing to reign where there should be order and every righteous thing.