James Study: Week 6

Good morning lovelies and Happy Monday!

We are over halfway through the James Bible study and it has been so nice reading your DM's about how much you've enjoyed reading it. Can I encourage you to participate in it (doesn't have to be posted here - you can journal it in your own time!). However, if you did want to join in on the conversation, you can post here under a fake name and remain anonymous if you would prefer.

Let's get into week 6!

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James 3:13-18

True Wisdom Comes from God

¹³ If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. ¹⁵ For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. ¹⁶ For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. ¹⁸ And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.

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Such a great reminder going into our week. We should have humility and actions that follow our faith and wisdom. Bitterness, jealousy and selfishness are the antithesis of true Godly wisdom. Selfish ambition is divisive willingness to split the group in order to achieve personal power and prestige. 

How often in our jobs or at uni do we not want to help others because we want to get the best grades or shine in our workplace? As Jesus followers, there is room for everyone to bloom and flourish! 

James reminds us that the answer to disorder is to seek wisdom from above. Those who bring peace rather than conflict bring a harvest of righteousness. Peacemaking in a tumultuous world is counter-cultural for sure. Staying away from gossip and slander is absolutely counter-cultural in a world full of gossip and rumours but we need to be strong enough to go against the spirit of division and instead make peace and not join in.  

What do we think about this passage? How can you make sure to be a peacemaker this week, even in hard situations? How can you not buy into gossip and remove yourself from gossip and slander in your workplace or uni?