A Different Kind Of Wisdom Altogether - James 3:11-18

   Toward the end of James chapter three, (Jas 3:11-18) James asks, "Who is wise and understanding among you?" If that question was posed to your congregation today, who would come to your mind? James had a specific type of person in mind when he used the words "wise and understanding." James, being a Torah observant Jew would only equate the idea of true wisdom with Torah understanding and observance. James was in essence asking, "Who among you knows Torah, and is living these things?" In contrast, he goes on to tell us that if we have bitterness and self-seeking in our hearts, the wisdom we claim to have is earthly and sensual - coming from below rather than from heaven above - a different kind of wisdom altogether. The latter being a self seeking wisdom full of confusion and evil.
  What about you? If James wrote a letter to your church asking for those who have wisdom and understanding among you to be named, would you make the list? How can you be sure? James gives us a way to check. He, along with Paul (Galatians 5:22-23) tells us that if we are indeed living these things, that we should be exhibiting fruit that is evident in our lives; also known as the "fruit of the spirit."
  Let's take the time this week to check the fruit of our lives. Does it line up with the fruit of the Spirit, edifying and building up those around us, or does it court our own desires and wants, causing division? Our LORD says that we will be "known by our fruit" (Matt 12:33-37)! How do we want to be known? Is it time to check the fruit that we are putting on display? It would be wise for all of us to take the time this week to evaluate the fruit we are producing. After all, those around us are!

May the Lord bless you and keep you,

Shabbat shalom!