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. . . the wisdom from above is first pure,
then peaceable, gentle, open to reason,
full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere—James 3:17
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A lot of men—not every man—but a lot of us struggle to hold
back a harsh and judgmental attitude toward the world around us,
sometimes even toward those we love the most. In the rush and
charge of life, with the volatility of family, the pressure of
work, the friction of the world, we too often give in to snap
impulses to anger and criticism. They feel right in the moment, but
they never are ( Proverbs 14:17).
More considered, gentler approaches are always better—less
destructive, more effective, more powerful ( Proverbs
19:11, 29:11; James
3:13-18).
These impulses also reveal something deeper: our pride. If
we’re honest, they come from thinking too highly of ourselves,
trusting ourselves too much, trusting our wisdom, our capabilities,
and our “ways” too much . . . and thinking too little of those of
the people around us. But, “God opposes the proud,” as pride leads
only to hurt and separation ( James
4:6; Proverbs
16:18).
So, we must take ground in this struggle. We mustn’t let
another day, another year, another decade slip by, doing nothing.
These impulses are too hard on others. We must allow our guide, God
the Holy Spirit, to train us in humility, to be “quick to hear,
slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce
the righteousness of God” ( James
1:19-20). |
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Prov 14:17 "A quick-tempered man acts
foolishly,
And a man of wicked intentions is hated."
Prov 19:11 "The discretion of a man makes him slow to
anger,
And his glory is to overlook a
transgression."
Prov 29:11 "A fool vents all his feelings, [a]
But a wise man holds them back." James 3:13-18 "13 Who is wise and
understanding among you? Let him show by good
conduct that his works are
done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you
have bitter envy and [a]self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast
and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not
descend from above, but is earthly, sensual,
demonic. 16 For where envy and
self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil
thing are there. 17 But the
wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle,
willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without
partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit
of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." James 4:6 "But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:
“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”
Prov 16:18 "Pride goes before
destruction,
And a haughty spirit before [a]a
fall."
James 1:19-20 "]So
then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to
hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the
wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God."
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