The gentleness of wisdom

I was so repelled by the anger of a radio preacher the other day.  His voice was angry!  So harsh, the sound.  Why would a preacher sound angry preaching his sermon?  He was yelling at me!

Scripture shows us a different tone:  “The gentleness of wisdom” (James 3:13-18).  It seems to be so missing – all around, these days: in pulpits, in political diatribes, uncivil conversations, in fake news broadcasts, in road enraged drivers, in not-so-neighborly interactions.

James 3:13-18
¹³ Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you have bitter jealousy and ^[i]selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. ¹⁵ This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, ^[j]natural, demonic. ¹⁶ For where jealousy and ^[k]selfish ambition exist, ^[l]there is disorder and every evil thing. ¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, ^[m]reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. ¹⁸ And the ^[n]seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace ^[o]by those who make peace.

Born again, Spirit-filled Christians, of all peoples, should be gentle.  Where is it – that gentleness of wisdom? We are way too, too filled-up and influenced by our jealousies, our selfish ambitions, our arrogance (verse 14). 

Verse 14 points-out that arrogance is actually lying, trying to hide what is really the truth.  In our culture – lying and disregard for the truth is pervasive.  So many prefer lying – rather than admit to the truth of the matters at hand.  Such shameful behavior by well-educated, supposed “professionals” and professing “Christians”.

I am determined to allow the Holy Spirit to work in me… more.  I want to be a more righteous man.  Don’t you?  I aim to develop more “good behavior”, as James puts it.  I want to be:

pure,
then peaceable,
gentle,
^[m]reasonable,
full of mercy and
good fruits,
unwavering,
without hypocrisy

The darker side of “behavior” is not attractive to me at all, but I see it popping up inside me (James 3:14-16). 
The dark side:

¹⁴ …bitter jealousy…
selfish ambition in your heart,
do not be arrogant
and so lie against the truth.  

¹⁵ This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is

earthly,
natural,
demonic.

¹⁶ For where jealousy and
^[k]selfish ambition exist,
^[l]there is disorder and
every evil thing.

I’m examining my life more these days.  How about you?  What’s your behavior lookin’ like?  I want more of “that which comes down from above” (verse 15)… more of THAT, and less of the darker side.  I’m working at it!

Philippians 2:12-16

¹² So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ]. ¹³ For it is [not your strength, but it is] ^[a]God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.

¹⁴ Do everything without murmuring or questioning [the providence of God], ¹⁵ so that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish in the midst of a [morally] crooked and [spiritually] perverted generation, among whom you are seen as bright lights [beacons shining out clearly] in the world [of darkness], ¹⁶ holding out and offering to everyone the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to rejoice greatly because I did not run [my race] in vain nor labor without result.

FOR MORE:

Being Wise and Understanding

Examine Yourselves