SWHW Bible Reading Plan - Year 2 January 2021预览

January 14

Top Takeaway from Liz Patton:

I love how James gets right down to it in Chapter 3:13 by asking, “Who is wise and understanding among you?  Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”  

And then he proceeds to explain the two types of wisdom.  I can’t help but think he’s being a little sarcastic when he uses quotes around “wisdom” in verse 15 when he describes worldly “wisdom” by saying, “Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.”  Clearly, nothing about being earthly, unspiritual, and of the devil is “wise.” Amen?

As a swHw woman, I already know that you want nothing to do with worldly “wisdom” because as James points out, “where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice”  (James 3:16). 

Instead, as women seeking to put God first in all we do, we want the second kind of wisdom that James describes in verses 17-18, wisdom that comes from heaven:

“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. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”  

My pastor once titled these verses as “The 7 Heavenly Skills of Relational Wisdom” and  

because I’m a “list” kind of girl, I’m going to lay out these seven qualities of heavenly wisdom for you here as simply as I know how:

1. Pure

If we are seeking wisdom to puff ourselves up or to look impressive to others, that’s not pure.  Let us seek wisdom, not to just know more about God, but to actually KNOW HIM, to glorify Him, and to help bring others to Him!

2. Peace Loving

If we want there to be peace around us, then we must first pursue peace within us.  And because peace is a fruit of the Spirit, we aren’t responsible for stirring it up in our own strength.  Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with His perfect peace, and then share that peace with others.  

3. Considerate

Some other versions of this verse describe being considerate as being gentle.  Meaning that we don’t always have to be right or have the last word.  Let’s be slow to anger and quick to forgive.  

4. Submissive

I think the world has given this word a bad rap.  But as James just reminded us, we aren’t seeking to be “wise” like the rest of the world, right?  We are seeking wisdom that comes from heaven!  So are we willing to yield to others?  Are we open to reason rather than insisting our way is the only way?

5. Full of mercy and good fruit

This immediately makes me think of Jesus when He said in Luke 6:36, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”  While we were still sinners, God sent Christ to die for our sins (Romans 5:8).  We are to extend that same mercy we have received to other sinners who are as undeserving as we are.  

6. Impartial and sincere

Are we undivided, unwavering, and without hypocrisy?  Let’s say what we mean and mean what we say!  Let’s be the same on social media as we are with our family around the dinner table.   

7. Peacemaker

We’ve all heard the saying, “You reap what you sow” which is why I love this final characteristic of wisdom.  Sister, peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness!  I have written in my Bible next to this verse, “I want to be a Peacemaker!”  And I’m guessing you do, too!

Dear God, it’s our heart’s desire to have wisdom that comes from heaven, not so that we can have more head knowledge, but so that it can change our hearts.  And so that we can grow closer to You and tell others about You!  So help us to develop these seven heavenly skills of relational wisdom because when we get along better with others, that gives us a greater opportunity to point them to You. We love You, Amen.