Today’s reading is James 3.
James’s statements about wisdom are shocking. I almost want to tell him what some of my writing and speaking mentors used to tell me: “Understatement is better than overstatement.” However, James wants us to clearly understand what our options are without any confusion.
We tend to think there is some neutral ground between God and the devil. Most of us like to think, “I mean, I know I’m not perfect, but I’m not Hitler either.” But when it comes to wisdom, James doesn’t give us three tiers: Heaven, earth, hell. There are only two tiers: heaven and hell. Earthly wisdom is not neutral; it is unspiritual and demonic.
Earthly, unspiritual, demonic wisdom is tied up with ambition and jealousy. When I am applying wisdom to do nothing more than see how I can get ahead, that may seem good to the worldly, but it is demonic, hellish.
James’s teaching in this chapter is of a cloth with Paul’s teaching in Philippians 2:3-11. Jesus did not come into the world out of personal ambition. He did not go to the cross out of bitter jealousy. He did so from service and love. When we walk in His footsteps, peace will follow. When we are trying to compete with others, politic our way into God’s good graces, pursue our own ambitions, disorder and every vile practice will follow.
Today, we are told history is one big power struggle. While I think the liberation theologies that start there get a great deal wrong, I think they may be right about that. The problem is most liberation theologies simply want to reverse the power struggle. The ones who are oppressed, we are told, need to rise up and demand their rights. They should take up arms until the power structures are destroyed (or actually reversed). The answer of James and his half-brother, Jesus, is not revolt and change who is in power, but rather give up the selfish ambition. Give up the contest. The power struggle itself is demonic. Don’t engage in it.
Instead, let us show our wisdom the same way we show our faith, by good conduct and good works done in meekness.
Tomorrow’s reading is James 3
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Discuss the Following Questions with Your Family
- What are your initial reactions to the chapter and the written devo above?
- What is meekness?
- Why do the worldly think power, ambition, jealousy, and struggle to come out on top is the better way to get ahead?
- When we decide to play the world’s game in this power struggle, what will happen to us?
- What do you think we should pray for and about in light of this chapter and today’s post?
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