James 3:13-18 – “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 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.”  NKJV

Most of us have either seen or been in a church that underwent conflict and possibly division to the point of splintering into separate congregations.  It was not a comfortable situation.  It was not a pretty picture and most assuredly did not enhance the church’s testimony in the community.  James addresses this situation in the passage I have chosen for today’s consideration.

James considered it, and so does God “wisdom” to walk in “meekness.”  He also pointed out that if a spirit of “bitterness,” “envy,” and “self-seeking” arises, it is the exact opposite of True Wisdom and Godliness.  He went on to say that it is not only not of heaven but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.  Then he explains that this condition is the “open door” for more problems than you can shake a stick at.

Consider verse sixteen – “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.”  Whoa, Nellie!  If we as individuals, families, businesses, or churches allow “envy” and “self-seeking” to gain a foothold, we have just opened the door and invited in Confusion and Every Evil Thing. 

Why would anyone want to go there?  Nothing good can come from that condition.  The Gospel cannot be advanced under those circumstances and those conditions.  It would be hell on earth, and one would have to wonder how that individual, family, business, or church could continue to exist in any semblance of productivity.

Then James tells us something positive beginning in verse seventeen when he tells us that the Wisdom that is from above, which is PURE, PEACABLE, GENTLE, WILLING TO COME INTO AGREEMENT, FULL OF MERCY AND GOOD FRUITS, REJECTS PARTIALITY AND DISPLAYS NO HYPOCRISY that Wisdom is where you find the Fruit of Righteousness sown in peace and it produces a harvest of peace.  It produces an atmosphere where spiritual babies can be born, nurtured, and developed.  It is a place of Life!

So, if you want to have a home, a life, a business, or a church that is a place of Life, follow these verses’ biblical prescription.  

God will enable you, and you will reap the harvest of Peace!  Blessings!