“Pray for Wisdom”

Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:13-18

The James who wrote this book was a brother of Jesus. As in most families, there was probably a bit of sibling rivalry in the family of Jesus. And since it’s impossible to compete with a brother who is God, I imagine there was some jealousy and selfish ambition in the home. In John 7:5 we’re told that the brothers of Jesus did not believe in Him. And in Mark 3:21 we’re told that the family of Jesus told others, “He has lost His senses.”

In the end, Jesus healed His family. After Jesus rose from the dead, He made a resurrection appearance to His brother James. As a result, James was finally able to know His brother and he became a follower of Jesus. Another brother of Jesus named Jude also became a follower and wrote the New Testament book that bears his name.

James and Jude were finally able to give up their jealousy and selfish ambition. They were finally able to accept the wisdom from above which is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy. What a comfort this must have been to their mother, Mary.

In the original Greek version of the book of James, the Greek word that is used for disorder is akatastasia and it conveys the idea of disturbance and turmoil in the church. In Luke 21:9 it is translated as revolts, and it’s used to convey the idea of anarchy political turmoil:

 And when you hear of wars and revolts, do not be alarmed; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.

The church is a family and so there is bound to be some sibling rivalry. There is competition over status and popularity. There is even competition for power and control. As a result, we’ll struggle with jealousy and selfish ambition.

Just as Jesus healed His earthly family, Jesus will heal His spiritual family: the Church. Jesus will bless us with wisdom from above which is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy. Which brings us back to the very beginning of the Book of James:

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5

Please join me in praying for wisdom.

In Christ,

Pastor David