Faculty Devotional – Central Arkansas Christian Schools
Wisdom from Heaven vv. Selfishness, Disorder, and Evil
By President Carter E. Lambert, PhD
Our home Bible study group is studying James. This past week we read James 3:13-18. I was struck by the simple yet powerful message.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17 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. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
In a world that is full of strife and discord, our prayer should be that we all can have “wisdom that comes from heaven.” Worldly wisdom is based on selfish ambition and envy. It leads to disorder and evil. Wisdom from heaven is pure (not tainted with selfishness). It is reflected in us by being peace-loving, considerate, submissive, merciful, impartial or fair, and sincere. This wisdom leads to peace in our ministry and a harvest of righteousness among us and our students and families.
Have a great day!