◄ What Does James 3:16 Mean? ►

There are certain character traits that are earthly, fleshly, sensual, and demonic, and there are those that are heavenly, spiritual, holy, and godly. Only those that are born again believers who walk in spirit and truth, are enabled to display the good and godly attributes that come from above, through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Both unsaved sinners and carnal Christians who carry out the works of the flesh, can display the ungodly characteristics associated with envy, jealousy, selfish ambition, and the pride of life which manifest in disorder and every evil thing.

Throughout his writings, we find James comparing and contrasting the good with the evil, the holy with the satanic, the wise with the foolish, the sinner with the saint, and the stable man with the one who is tossed about by every wind of doctrine.

Through his epistle, the apostle James is seeking to direct us in the way of wisdom and peace, together with humility, goodness, and grace, whilst he desires to warn us against foolishness and hostility, selfish ambition, and every evil thing.

The edifying ministry of a child of God, can be ruined when he seeks earthly wisdom from the well of fallen humanity. The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God and comes to naught. The beliefs and theories of fallen men and the flawed principles of this world system, are not according to Christ.

Men have rejected true wisdom in the Person and work of the Lord Jesus, and have chosen to live their lives according to their own perceived intelligence, which results in jealousy, envy, ambition, strife, and every kind of evil work.

May we seek after the wisdom that comes from God, which is a pure wisdom in thought, word, and deed. May we strive after the wisdom from above, which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits – unwavering and without hypocrisy.

Heavenly Father, thank You that Jesus is the power of God and the wisdom of God and that in Him is no confusion or shifting shadows. I know that the enemy likes to bind us up in confusing webs of lies, fear, and doubt. May I resist the devil and keep my eyes focused on Jesus alone. This I ask in Jesus' holy name, AMEN.