Scripture to Read: James 3:14-18
As we have examined Ruth so far this week, it brings us to examine our lives to make sure we are walking in God’s wisdom as Ruth and Boaz did. We know God is constantly at work in our lives, but we can fall prey to doing things our way if we become selfishly motivated. God tells us in James 3:14-15 that if we have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in our heart that this type of wisdom is not from God. God actually calls this type of wisdom, “earthly, natural, demonic.” Of course, that is not the type of wisdom we need to be walking in or even seeking. God also tells us in James 3:16 that when jealousy and selfish ambition are present that there is chaos and all sorts of evil going on. Now, when we consider God’s wisdom, which of course we have because all the treasures of wisdom are in Christ (Colossians 2:3) since Christ dwells in us, we are full of His wisdom through His Holy Spirit because He is wisdom. Like every characteristic of Christ, we must choose to walk in His attributes and not our fleshly attributes. So, God’s wisdom is described as follows in James 3:17, “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.” As we walk with our Lord each day, we can test our decisions by asking ourselves if our choices display God’s wisdom or our fleshly wisdom.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about your wisdom and His wisdom?
2. How will you choose to walk in God’s wisdom and not your own each day?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!