Friday July 15, 2022

Friday – July 15th – James 3:14     -----    

 3:14)    But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.
 
The Daily Walk Bible inspirational thought for today:
     SEEING GOD FOR WHO HE IS WILL OPEN YOUR EYES TO WHO YOU ARE.*
 
    Happy Friday, and happy end of the week, and happy middle of July to you! Yes, another month is halfway over, and, in some respects, this also marks the middle of the summer season. Back to school advertisements will soon dominate the store landscapes and meet the teacher times are now being added to calendars. No matter the time of the year or the season on the calendar our inspirational thought is perfect for every day of the year. All too often we humans are guilty in attempting to flip this statement on its ear. The evil one tempts us to try to create God into our image and not conform, or curb, our desires. The devil tempts us to reject God’s way of peace filled living. When we, like the prodigal son, come to our senses we will be able to see God and God’s plan for our lives. The best question to ask ourselves is what are our eyes focused on today?
 
    In our pick verse today, James focuses his teachings on identifying and correcting false wisdom. The wisdom of this world is based on humanities own understandings, standards, objectives, and agendas. Wisdom of this nature is both false and ungodly. In false wisdom human interpretation is supreme. False wisdom does not recognize God’s sovereignty, God’s will, or God’s truth. The first test of false wisdom James introduces is motivation. Motivation is always determined in the human heart. This is where both unbelief and belief, sin and righteousness, selfish and selfless, originate. Of the many sinful motives, James mentions two specifically in this verse – bitter jealousy and selfish ambition. Both of these less than healthy virtues serve to divide us in our relationship with God and in our relationship with others. When we draw our wisdom from the ways of the world we will be easily tempted to act out through bitter jealousy and selfish ambition instead of the love and forgiveness that connects us to God.

Blessings
   Pastor Jim
Saturday – July 16th – James 3:15

*Tyndale. The Daily Walk Bible NLT (Kindle Location 36751). Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.. Kindle Edition.

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