Wisdom's Gentleness

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The following is written by Melissa Fitzpatrick in James Mercy Triumphs by Beth Moore.

The reference to Douglas Moo comes from his book The Letter of James, page 170

 

 

 

 

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"He (the one who is wise and has understanding) should show his works by good conduct with wisdom's gentleness."

 

James 3:13  HCSB version

 

 

"The Greek word rendered "humility" or "gentleness" refers to "the quality of not being overly impressed by a sense of one's self-importance."

 

"Douglas Moo notes that the quality this word refers to "was not usually prized by the Greeks" because "they thought it signaled a servility unworthy of a strong and confident person."  Things are not so different in our society, are they?  Even within our church communities, the wise people are usually the outspoken, the ones winning the theological debates.  The gentle ones may be respected as good, down-to-earth folks with servant hearts, but we rarely deem them wise."

 

"What is it about not being overly impressed by a sense of one's self-importance that makes one wise?  If I were really courageous enough to admit I am not as significant as I think I am, then I wouldn't always need to have the last word."

 

"The gentleness that is linked to wisdom in this context means living out of the knowledge that I am not the priority here.  When I combine this disquieting yet liberating truth about me with the awareness that each person I meet is worth far more than I could ever imagine, perhaps I will be on my way to exuding this wisdom from above."

 

 

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Dear Lord,

 

Give me your wisdom, work it in and through me.

 

 Give me eyes to see the worldly wisdom around me

 

 before I join in and become like the world. 

 

 Then show me how to act and think to do your will

 

 and to be filled with your

 

gentle wisdom from above.

 

I ask this in Jesus name, Amen

 

 

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Jealousy

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Jealousy takes root in the soil of insecurity.  Without hesitation, let’s ask God to pluck every splinter of jealousy from our hearts while we hold still in His hands; but those holes aren’t meant to stay hollow.  Let’s ask Him to plant within us a thriving, healthy sense of our security in Him.  Never forget that God is a giver (James 1:17).  Every time we ask Him to take something from us, let’s be bold enough to request divine riches in its place.  Isaiah 33:6 says He’s “a rich store” and a “treasure”.

 By Beth Moore, taken from James Mercy Triumphs Bible Study (LifeWay), page 121

 

This Bible Study is very convicting and I would recommend it.  I have bought the CD’s and workbook. This way I can do the study on my time without needing to drive somewhere to do it.  I want to add I really miss being in a group to study God’s word but that is not what God is calling me to do right now. Beth Moore challenges us to memorize all of James.  I have taken on the challenge.  Memorizing chapters at a time really does change your life as I have heard her say over the last 10 years but I have never had the time and the desire to memorize chapters at a time.  I praise God that He is helping me to do it now.  However, without being able to recite the chapters to my son I might lose my resolve.  I don’t see my son very often which gives me ample time to memorize!  Memorizing is not easy to do but it is worth it!

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Wisdom From Heaven

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Give me your wisdom that comes from heaven.

Use your ways to clean the stains of sin in me that I have
no power to remove.

Make this earthen vessel like new.

Why would something pure be put into a dirty container?

Why would purity be mixed with envy and selfish ambition?

How can good fruit exist where a restless evil

full of deadly poison resides?

God gives wisdom from heaven generously,
we only need to ask.

Humility comes from this wisdom from heaven. 

Bitter envy and selfish ambition cannot be disguised.  It is the impurity within the container that no human can clean.

This uncleanliness within us cannot be denied. 
Satan would deceive us to believe we are
clean and full of wisdom.

The wisdom we desire is held above, to be sought after and asked for
from the creator.

We must be an anchor in a world of violent waves
being blown and tossed by the wind.

Our wisdom comes from heaven all day,

whenever we ask.

 

 

 

James 3:17 NIV   “But wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”

James 3:8  “but no man can tame the tongue.  It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”

James 1:5  “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

James 3:14  “But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.”

James 1:6  “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”

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