Verses to Abide In
“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” James 3:13-16 ESV
Digging Deeper
Ron Blue ties James 3:13-18 with the section on the tongue James 3:1-12 - A key to right talk is right thought. The tongue is contained in a cage of teeth and lips, but it still escapes. It is not intelligence that keeps the lock on that cage; it is wisdom—a wisdom that is characterized by humility, grace, and peace. (BKC) (ED [Bruce Hurt]: wisdom and the "Restrainer," the Holy Spirit!)
MacArthur - The wisdom that is of the world, that is based on man's own understanding, standards, and objectives, is false and ungodly. In false wisdom, man is supreme. False wisdom does not recognize God's sovereignty, God's will, or God's truth. In these three verses James briefly discusses the motivation (James 3:14), the characteristics (James 3:15), and the results (James 3:16) of false wisdom. (MacArthur New Testament Commentary – James)
From Bruce Hurt:
And so lie against the truth - This is an interesting statement because most lies are "against the truth." James is not saying so much that you are to stop speaking lies, but that you are to stop living a lie, for your conduct which should be "good" is "evil" and this is in effect a "lie" about who you are professing to be. One writer has "claiming to be wise when in truth one is foolish" and another "your profession therefore is a lie." Saying that one has godly wisdom is not the same as having it…objective standards of judgment must be applied. Truth is not just doctrinal knowledge, but also godly living.
All of the above commentaries were taken from:
https://www.preceptaustin.org/james-3-commentary
From the Heart
We have talked about how our emotions and suffering can trigger us toward a kind of false wisdom.
I have also been considering how putting oneself in the role of being a victim can block us from gaining and acting out of true wisdom—in the meekness of wisdom.
Right now, I am contemplating times when I put myself into the role of being a victim when I should not—and, in reality, am not—put in that role by anyone except myself.
Please do not misunderstand me. There are times when we truly are a victim, and we need to get help and take steps toward freedom and sometimes even justice. That is not the kind of victim that I am going to be talking about here.
I also want to note that once we have become a victim of abuse—no matter how large or small—it is easier to fall into a victim mindset (what my mind is focused on) when triggered.
It takes vigilance to not fall into having a victim mindset rather than a Christ-centered, loving-others mindset.
An example…
While in high school, I had the privilege of going on a ten-day tour of Spain, France, and Italy with my Spanish teacher, her husband, and other students from our school.
We ended up sharing the tour with a French teacher and her students.
I was excited for the trip overall and very aware that this was an opportunity for us as students from a Christian school to share the love of Jesus with those students from another school.
I enjoyed connecting with the French teacher and asking her to teach me how to say different words in French and to learn more about the different cultures we were visiting.
There were a couple of younger-than-me students—ones I had in a prayer group that I led at school—who I enjoyed connecting with, as well as some other acquaintances, but I had one close friend who was my main companion for the journey.
One night…
Loud music in a European language was blasting. It was not too crowded, this early time of night set aside in an upstairs room just for teenagers to safely experience food, music, and dancing.
I was totally out of my element.
I danced a little…some shuffling of the feet while swaying back and forth.
My friend seemed to be having a great time laughing and dancing with those around us.
I eventually just went to sit down at one of the café tables surrounding the dance floor.
I was a victim of the infamous feelings of being left out. This accompanied by jealousy and bitterness that were building in me without me realizing it.
I was relieved when it was time to go.
We were going to the bus, and my friend realized she left her purse upstairs.
My teacher took her to retrieve it while I waited outside with the French teacher.
My friend came out with tears in her eyes. She exasperatedly and disgustedly exclaimed how she was groped while walking through the later club-goers crowding in on her.
I was still in a victim mindset.
All those built-up feelings of jealousy and bitterness had me believing that I was justified in thinking that if she had been more responsible, without having so much fun, she would not have forgotten her purse.
My hurt had turned into self-righteousness.
My friend was in the middle of processing her trauma. She paused, and I spoke emphatically…
“I don’t care.”
Those were the first words out of my mouth in that moment.
And the last.
She immediately walked away from me and went onto the tour bus.
I looked back at my Spanish teacher and the French teacher, who had slowly been following us.
They heard the whole conversation.
They looked back at me with sad eyes.
They didn’t need to say a word.
The block to true godly wisdom was removed.
My eyes were opened to seeing that I was truly not a victim here.
I had work to do in making things right
…in the meekness of wisdom.
With renewed love and purpose, I followed my friend onto the bus.
Let's Pray
Abba,
We acknowledge and trust that we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Holy Spirit who is from you.
May it be so that we know and understand the wonderful things you have freely given to us.
Help us to be spiritually mature Christians who judge all things—enable us to question, examine, and apply what the Holy Spirit reveals (1 Corinthians 2:12-13, 15 AMP).
Is there any unconfessed sin I need to bring before you?
Have I put myself into that victim mindset, blocking your wisdom and making me lose sight of loving others as you have loved me?
Show me.
Forgive me for…
Thank you.
May we rejoice in the Lord always.
We rejoice (Philippians 4:4)!
Anchor us to always be humble and gentle. Steady us to be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of our love (Ephesians 4:2 NLT).
Help us to keep remembering that we have the mind of Christ—to be guided by His thoughts and purposes (1 Corinthians 2:15-16 AMP).
In the name of Jesus, we pray, in whom we take every thought captive and make it obedient (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Amen.
May the Lord enable us each to act in the meekness of wisdom this week,
Laura
We are praising God for a great day with No More Chainz and Chosen Brotherhood at their first Spring Music Fest and Motorcycle Show!!
Friday, June 5, 2026, 7:30
No More Chainz Recovery Church
Michael Teaching and we will do a song!
316 Durham Rd. Penndel, PA 19047
(Parking in lot across from church)
Saturday, August 1, 2026, 7-9pm
Acts of Grace Coffeehouse
1609 Woodburne Road
SUITE 403B (very back of complex)
LEVITTOWN, PA 19057
Monday, August 3, 2026, 7-9pm
Karen's Place Outdoor Concert
Doylestown Mennonite Church
590 N. Broad Street
Doylestown, PA 18901