James 3:13-18
Rebecca Lightfoot
Our true character is surgically exposed by the deepest roots of what motivates us,and James 3:13-18 is one of the spiritual scalpels The Lord gives me...so I can know where I personally need to seek His Help correcting! James 3:13a gives me a question that The Lord wants me to ask myself!->”Who is wise & understanding among you?” When the Bible asks a question, those who claim to love God as our Father should “listen up”, or we are showing disrespect for our Father! In James 3:13b, it’s as if God knows how we are going to answer HIS question by our rattling off the good things we do. Most certainly what we do is important, but the following verses go deeper...to expose what kind of “root” is in our heart...when 3:14-15 says ”But if you have bitter jealousy & selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast & be false to the truth. This is not wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.” These verses use specific language for my good! There is no room for me to wiggle around the truth of what is in my heart! God does this so we can not be fooled by our own devices of outward “appearances/efforts”, & avoid going deeper in knowing the true innermost nature of our character. For those who claim Christ as our Savior & Lord...HIS Spirit that HE planted in our lives should be constantly reshaping us from the inside out...making us more and more a reflection of HIS CHARACTER! Which is what James3:17-18 says to us->”But the wisdom from above is 1st pure ,then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy & good fruits, impartial & sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” This means that as we seek to truly know God’s wisdom, the “earthly, unspiritual, demonic” wisdom will be exposed in our life....and only God’s Awesome Wisdom that is “pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason ,full of mercy & good fruits ,impartial & sincere”, will begin IT’S work in me...changing my character to be more & more like that of Christ! I found a chart that someone put together 12 things to help address the deadly contrast of earthly wisdom verses God’s Wisdom in his life...I need them for mine-> This contrasts selfish heart/wisdom versus being motivated by God’s Heart/Wisdom
1. YOUR PERSONAL SENSE OF WORTH GOES UP AND DOWN WITH THE OPPORTUNITIES AHEAD OF YOU.
When you’re motivated by God, your value is solidly found in Christ every day.
2.FAILURE IS TERRIFYING.
When you’re motivated by God, failure becomes an opportunity for grace and growth.
3. YOU THINK YOU’RE THE DEAL.
When you’re motivated by God, you know that He’s the deal.
4. YOU USE PEOPLE TO GET YOU WHERE YOU WANT TO GO.
When you’re motivated by God, you value people as you go.
5. YOU TAKE THE CREDIT.
When you’re motivated by God, you realize how much God and the people around you deserve the credit.
6. YOU STRIVE FOR BREADTH OF EXPOSURE.
When you’re motivated by God, you focus on depth in your walk and let God determine the breadth of exposure he gives you.
7. YOU ARE ALWAYS THINKING ABOUT THE NEXT THING.
When you’re motivated by God, you’re always thinking about what God wants to accomplish in your life today.
8. YOU’RE ALWAYS COMPARING YOURSELF TO OTHERS.
When you’re motivated by God, you begin to celebrate what God is doing through others.
9. IT’S HARD TO SAY NO TO ANY OPPORTUNITY.
When you’re motivated by God, it’s easier to say yes to balance and priorities.
10. YOU FEEL ENTITLED TO ANY SUCCESS THAT COMES YOUR WAY.
When you’re motivated by God, you feel grateful and that what has happened is beyond deserving.
11. THE NEED TO WIN IS GREATER THAN THE NEED TO LOVE.
When you’re motivated by God, the need to love is greater than the need to win.
12. YOU ARE ALWAYS INSECURE.
When you’re motivated by God, your security comes from His steadfast love.
Dear Lord...make me honest about my innermost motivations...and help me to turn 180degrees to have my motivations become those that come from Your Own Heart...so as David was a man after Your Own Heart...so I may become a man after Your Heart...