S – But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace. James 3:17-18
O – In chapter 1, James says if you lack wisdom then you should ask God for it. In these verses, James gives a list of what God’s wisdom looks like. This description falls on the heels of controlling the tongue and the damage the tongue can do. Then James says that this wisdom is without favoritism and hypocrisy which he had discussed the sin of showing favoritism in ch.2 and the danger and effects of hypocrisy in ch. 3 when he talks about the tongue both praising and cursing. He then goes on to say in verse 18 that peace should be cultivated and sown to produce the fruit of righteousness. The attitude of the heart should be words of peace that produce unity and the fruits of the Spirit.
A – I want the words of my mouth to produce the fruit of righteousness and fruit of the Spirit. I need to be mindful of the position of influence that I have over so many students. When reading this chapter, it was if I had my own visual right in front of me. Off and on for the last few months we have had major wildfires in the surrounding areas between Orlando and Georgia, which, even though they were not super close, we still had the effects of weird grey skies, and the stench of smoke and ash falling from the sky covering everyone and everything.
When James talked of the tongue being a fire and how a forest fire is started from a small fire, I totally had a visual image of the damage it can do. The truth is that even after the actual fire is out, there is so much damage that remains that it will take years to recover…if it ever does recover. Some things will never be the same, they will be lost forever. With the thoughts of words being destructive at the front of my mind, I am glad for verses 17 & 18. I don’t want to be a destroyer but a person of peace, gentleness and mercy. I want my words to lead people to saving grace of Christ. I want to help people not only be unified to one and another but to, most importantly, be reconciled to Christ.
P – Pray that my words would be full of gentleness, love and mercy…especially as I get frustrated with the poor choices our students continue to make. I think it’s hard because I want so much for them yet…they have no clue, or desire to want it for themselves.
O – In chapter 1, James says if you lack wisdom then you should ask God for it. In these verses, James gives a list of what God’s wisdom looks like. This description falls on the heels of controlling the tongue and the damage the tongue can do. Then James says that this wisdom is without favoritism and hypocrisy which he had discussed the sin of showing favoritism in ch.2 and the danger and effects of hypocrisy in ch. 3 when he talks about the tongue both praising and cursing. He then goes on to say in verse 18 that peace should be cultivated and sown to produce the fruit of righteousness. The attitude of the heart should be words of peace that produce unity and the fruits of the Spirit.
A – I want the words of my mouth to produce the fruit of righteousness and fruit of the Spirit. I need to be mindful of the position of influence that I have over so many students. When reading this chapter, it was if I had my own visual right in front of me. Off and on for the last few months we have had major wildfires in the surrounding areas between Orlando and Georgia, which, even though they were not super close, we still had the effects of weird grey skies, and the stench of smoke and ash falling from the sky covering everyone and everything.
When James talked of the tongue being a fire and how a forest fire is started from a small fire, I totally had a visual image of the damage it can do. The truth is that even after the actual fire is out, there is so much damage that remains that it will take years to recover…if it ever does recover. Some things will never be the same, they will be lost forever. With the thoughts of words being destructive at the front of my mind, I am glad for verses 17 & 18. I don’t want to be a destroyer but a person of peace, gentleness and mercy. I want my words to lead people to saving grace of Christ. I want to help people not only be unified to one and another but to, most importantly, be reconciled to Christ.
P – Pray that my words would be full of gentleness, love and mercy…especially as I get frustrated with the poor choices our students continue to make. I think it’s hard because I want so much for them yet…they have no clue, or desire to want it for themselves.
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