As James, the
“servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ”, continued
to share with the “twelve tribes scattered abroad”
concerning the use of their “tongues”, he challenged them
to consider whether a “fig tree bears olive berries” or “a
vine figs”. In chapter three and verse thirteen of his letter,
James asked a question concerning “a wise man and endued with
knowledge” where we read:
Who is
a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a
good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
The
verse begins, “Who is
a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? James
began with the word, “Who”
or “whether and which” “is a wise
man” which
means “skilled expert, cultivated and learned” ”and
endued with knowledge”
which means “intelligent, experienced and having the knowledge of
an expert” “among you”
or “with, in and by” James' readers. James desired to know who
among the people were “skilled experts and learned people”.
The
verse goes on to say, “let him show out of a good
conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.” James
continued, “let him show out”
or “expose, give evidence and proof by” “a good
conversation” which means “a
beautiful, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing , precious, useful,
suitable, commendable and admirable manner of life, conduct, behavior
and deportment” “his works”
or “business, employment and that which any one is occupied”
“with meekness”
which means “mildness of disposition and gentleness of spirit”
“of wisdom” which
refers to “a broad and full intelligence and knowledge in diverse
matters”. James directed those who were “wise” and “endued
with knowledge” among his readers to demonstrate those qualities in
their every day living.
When
we meditate upon these words of James, we are challenged to examine
our own professions of “wisdom” and “knowledge”
concerning spiritual things. In other words, does our “walk”
align with our “talk”. As believers in Jesus Christ, our lives
should manifest the proclamations we make, and lest people find us
incredulous, let us allow the Holy Spirit of God to convict us when
our “words” do not match our “actions” and “gentleness of
spirit” doesn't align with our demeanor.
Next
time James shares about “envying
and strife”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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