Rev. Mike Henning
Walkersville United Methodist Church

(8/1) The James passage below speaks of two kinds of wisdom, heavenly or God’s wisdom; and earthly, unspiritual, or demonic wisdom.

"If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

"But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness." (James 3:13-18, NLT)

The prayer commonly attributed to St. Francis of Assisi (although some sources dispute he wrote it), is known as the Peace Prayer, and it fits well with the theme of God’s wisdom leading to peace. The prayer begins with asking God to make us instruments of His peace. The author of the prayer then goes on expressing contrasts of what I am tying in with the two kinds of wisdom captured in the James passage.

"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me bring love. Where there is offence, let me bring pardon. Where there is discord, let me bring union. Where there is error, let me bring truth. Where there is doubt, let me bring faith. Where there is despair, let me bring hope. Where there is darkness. Let me bring your light. Where there is sadness, let me bring joy. O Master, let me not seek as much to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love, for it is in giving that one receives, it is in self-forgetting that one finds, it is in pardoning that one is pardoned, it is in dying that one is raised to eternal life."

The first part of each phrase is what I see as earthly wisdom: hatred, offence, discord, error, doubt, despair, darkness, sadness. While the second half fits in well with godly wisdom: love, pardon, union (unity), truth, faith, hope, God’s light, joy. I then see the section that begins with, "O Master…" (and following) as the result of living our lives according to God’s wisdom, and His blessings to us.

These contrasts apply to situations and circumstances we find ourselves in right now – today! Every day we are inundated with individuals and groups not being "instruments of God’s peace" – just the opposite, they are instruments of conflict and destructive behavior.

This kind of negativity is not restricted or limited to one sector of our society, it is everywhere. This false, demonic wisdom has infiltrated the thinking and mindset of many. But do not be discouraged or dismayed, for God is in control, He will conquer all evil, He will be victorious, and He will have the final word!

In the United Methodist church (and I am sure other denominations as well) in our baptismal vows we affirm when asked:

"Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of this world, and repent of your sin? - I do."

"Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves - I do."

These vows are a benchmark of how we are to live our lives as daughters and sons of almighty, loving God, and as members of His Church universal. God’s wisdom is not information we acquire just for informational purposes, rather it is practical insight with spiritual implications. This wisdom is a gift from God.

One such example is when the Lord spoke to Solomon, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." Solomon’s reply was…"Give me wisdom and knowledge…" (2 Chronicles 1:7,10). God blessed Solomon with much more than just wisdom and knowledge. He blesses us too beyond what we could ever imagine when we live according to His teachings and commands.

James describes eight characteristics defining God’s wisdom:

• Purity – there are no ulterior motives in our attitude, actions, or words
• Peace loving – produces right relationships and brings us closer with God and each other
• Gentle – moderation, but does not compromise the truth
• Yield to others – always ready to obey God’s will and always ready to listen for God’s still small voice in order to discern best course of action
• Full of mercy – showing compassion for those in trouble even if they brought the issue upon themselves
• Fruit of good deeds – changing lives, produces good works to God’s glory
• No favoritism – giving the same respect and dignity to all peoples
• Sincere – never pretend to be what we are not, be genuine

As we live out these virtues of godly wisdom we see parallels with God and Jesus’ teachings and commands. The Golden Rule, and the Beatitudes Jesus taught the crowds on the mountainside as part of the larger passage known as The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1–7:29) are just two examples. There are many others throughout the Bible. As Christians we are to continually work at achieving and keeping God’s true wisdom as a vital part of who we are, and whose we are.

James concludes this particular passage with a thought provoking statement; "those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness." A truly wise person is one who lives God’s peace. As believers we should stand confidently, serve compassionately, and speak carefully. Put another way, we should be what God wants us to be, do what He wants us to do, and speak as God would want us to speak. Our words, actions, and deeds should be in alignment with God’s holy Word and following Christ’s example as He carried out His ministry while on earth.

Earthly, demonic wisdom leads to jealousy, selfish ambition, rivalry, disorder, and tension; but God’s wisdom leads to peace whose foundation is based on holiness. When we follow and live in God’s wisdom, we will live in His righteousness and we will reap His blessings for an eternity.

May we all be instruments of God’s peace, which is comprised of His love, forgiveness, unity, truth, faith, hope, joy, and His light shining in us and through us in all areas of our lives.

Walkersville United Methodist Church is located at 22 Main Street, Walkersville. Our Sunday worship service is at 10 a.m., with Sunday School offered during that time. The worship service can also be viewed on our Facebook page, and YouTube. For more information about our church visit our website, walkersvilleumc.org.