If you want to be wise enough to make good, Godly decisions, be sure you pursue the right kind of wisdom. James, brother of Jesus, writes about two kinds of wisdom: wordily and heavenly. One is demonic, and one is holy.
Proverbs 4:7-8 tells us “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. Praise her highly, and she will exalt you.” If you are wise and understanding in God’s ways, you show it by living an honorable life and doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.
“But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.” (James 3: 14-16) Remember Genesis’s story of Cain and Abel. Abel’s sacrifice pleased God, but Cain’s did not. Cain was so bitterly jealous that he killed Abel. That cruel act demonstrates the immorality of worldly wisdom — the if-Ican’t- have-it, nobodycan -mindset.
The ambitious attitude of looking out for #1 is the selfish mentality Satan has spread throughout history.
In contrast, we as Christians are called to a standard completely different from the whatever- makes-you-happy wisdom of society.
James 3: 17 tells us “The wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.”
This past Sunday LECC Elders Stacey Helms and Ed Rodebush shared stories of how their lives changed when their worldly goals lost their luster and they awakened to the rightness of God’s wisdom.
Helms recalled he was selfish and greedy when he decided baseball was going to be his path to glory. After being allstate in high school and all-American in college, he was disappointed at not getting a professional bid. He came to realize that God had helped him play baseball and now wanted him to be satisfied with what he had — an opportunity to coach and spread the Word. He prays with his kids before and after every games and advises all to “stand in awe of God’s majesty and obey His will with all your heart.”
Rodebush said he once sought material things but found family more important than possessions. He believes God saved him from a horrific tornado and knows for sure He saved him from what was about to become a fatal accident. “Peace, love, fulfillment—I found all of these in the church.” Both elders stressed the importance of reading the Bible.
To hear more testimonies like theirs, please visit us at 415987 Highway 9, Eufaula, where we have small group Bible study at 10 a.m., worship at 11 a.m., and Wednesday night activiies for all ages at 6:30 p.m.
We at LECC fully believe that “the Lord grants wisdom! From His mouth come knowledge and understanding…. For wisdom will enter your heart and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.” (Proversbs 2: 6, 9-11).
What great reasons to seek heavenly wisdom!
Why not join us in our journey?
God Bless You!
Jeremy Little, Minister
