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WORLDLY WISDOM
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26
James 3:15-16

1 Corinthians 2:14-15

 

“But the natural man
receiveth not the things

of the Spirit of God…”

 

WORLDLY WISDOM
 
The character of “bitter envying and strife” (James 3:14) is of the unbelieving world. Sadly, these characteristics are found also among new believers and even within the church leadership. There is a lack of heavenly wisdom. We need to pray for divine wisdom to overrule in the church of God.
 
Earthly, sensual, devilish: Earthly or worldly wisdom is limited only to the present material world of time and space. It is restricted only to things that man can imagine, determine and accomplish by himself. It has no place in the spiritual truths of God’s Word. It is of man’s own making and prompted by satanic influence that promotes the ideas and philosophies of this present age. Thus, it is “sensual” (James 3:15), i.e. it is wisdom dictated by carnal desires, the lust of the flesh, the eyes, and the pride of life. It relates only to the fallen, unredeemed man, wholly corrupted by the Fall and separated from God. This wisdom is therefore “devilish” (James 3:15) because its root source is Satan himself.
 
There is envying, strife, and confusion: James reiterates what he had mentioned in verse 14: envying and strife (i.e. jealousy and selfish ambition). There is confusion, disorder and every evil thing whenever these two exist, leading to worthless, bad results in the church of God. It not only produces infighting and division in the church, it also tarnishes the precious name of our Lord and Saviour and stumbles many causing them to turn away from the faith.
 
Dear reader, you do not want to be an agent of Satan to wreck your local church because of your worldly wisdom. Worldly wisdom is not wisdom from above. Worldly wisdom is a manifestation of the depraved and corrupt nature of man.
 
THOUGHT: Is my wisdom of this world?
PRAYER: Father, deliver me from the devil’s influences that I may live a life that is true to Thy cause.

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