Category Archives: James

Conflict

1 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.

James 4:1-2

Conflict is inevitable in life. Sometimes fights cannot be avoided. Human beings need to learn to deal with conflict as it doesn’t go away for long.

James here identifies certain desires that lead to conflict in the home and in the church. He teaches that the desire for pleasure, lust, character assassination, and covetousness are some of the factors that lead to constant infighting and stress. God’s people ought to examine themselves regularly to make sure these foibles are not at work in their lives. If they are, Christians should repent and turn from these foolish argument starters.

Conflict will happen under the best of circumstances. Let us resolve not to add to it by living in ungodly attitudes and mindsets.

Tony French

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Godly Wisdom

17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

James 3:17-18

The wisdom of God is great and wonderful. James tells us about the glory of the Lord’s wisdom at the end of James 3. Several words are used to describe the precepts of Christ.

**Pure

**Peaceful

**Self-Controlled

**Merciful

**Impartial

**Honest

Those who exhibit the wisdom of God will bear the fruit of righteousness which results from these attributes listed in v. 17. A peaceful life will be the ultimate outcome of a Christian who seeks to live for Christ and obey the wisdom of Scripture.

Tony French

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Wisdom of God

14 But if you have bitter jealousy and 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 selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.

James 3:14-16

In this passage, James teaches the Church about the failure of worldly wisdom. Jealousy and selfish ambition causes people to have an improper view of themselves and “lie against the truth.” Human beings can be deceived so easily and it’s important for God’s people to be on guard against this scheme of the evil one. 

Worldly wisdom does not come from the Lord. James describes this wisdom as “earthly,”  “natural,” and even “demonic” in nature. What sounds good and right to the worldly person is often diametrically opposed to Christ’s will and His Word. This earthly philosophy leads to chaos and further sinfulness when followed.

God’s people have the wisdom that comes from above. God’s Word provides us with the truth. The Holy Spirit leads us to righteousness and true goodness. And the Lord’s Church holds us accountable to the truth as we meet regularly for worship.  

Let us be thankful and give praise for the wisdom of Christ. Without it, we would be tossed to and fro by godless teaching and wisdom.

Tony French

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