The Book of JamesSample

Today's Devotional:

Every day we have dozens of conversations with all kinds of people and face a series of decisions out of every interaction. But how much intention do we put into our responses? Most times, we don’t think much about what we say or do, we just act on what we know—which oftentimes can get us into trouble. But what if we took a different approach and, rather than leaning on knowledge alone, we applied Godly wisdom?

Charles H. Spurgeon, an English minister in the 1800s who was nicknamed the “Prince of Preachers,” once said, “Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.”

Most people never set out to act foolishly, but inevitably, it sometimes happens! There are three questions we can ask ourselves to help us strengthen our walk in God’s wisdom:

1. Am I living according to God’s way or the world’s?

It’s so easy to fall into the patterns and ways of the world around us where selfish ambition, competition, and jealousy are pervasive. God calls us to a more gentle way of right living. “Yielding” to others doesn’t come naturally—it takes wisdom from above!

2. How am I choosing to spend my time and energy?

We aren’t saved by works, but our works reveal our heart. And although Jesus is more interested in who we are than what we do, what we do determines who we are.

3. What kind of fruit is my life producing?

If we find ourselves living in a pattern of confusion and conflict, we may be leaning on our own knowledge and understanding rather than God’s. There’s also the matter of assessing the company we keep. Right voices will help us make the right choices that will lead us to the abundant and full life that God wants for us.

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Today's devotional was written by Pastor Bethany Kush.

Question:

In light of this passage, what is one step you can take to grow in Godly wisdom?

Prayer:

God, thank you for your Word that gives me true instruction on how to live a life according to your ways. Help me begin daily applying your wisdom to my life so that I can experience the peace and righteousness you have for me. In Jesus’ name, amen.