Read James 3:13-18

What does open to reason mean?

Looking up reason in the Webster’s 1828 dictionary, I found several definitions for reason.  Here are a couple that may be helpful here:

reason (n.) – a faculty of the mind by which it distinguishes truth from falsehood and good from evil, which enable the possessor to deduce inferences from facts or from propositions.

reason (v.) – to argue with, to endeavor to inform, convince or persuade by argument.

To reason with someone, we would be trying to persuade that person into a belief or truth.  If we are thinking of being open to reason, then there is a willingness to be persuaded, to be reasoned with and even to be taught.

To whose reasoning are we to be open?  And what does Scripture show us and teach us about how to understand that the wisdom from above is open to reason? Continue reading →

But the wisdom from above is…gentle (cont.)

Read James 3:13-18

Believers are called to live out their faith doing their works in meekness of wisdom that is first towards God and then towards man.  We can only do this with the wisdom that is from above, which is from God. Continue reading →

Read James 3:13-18

Look at vv. 17-18

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.  And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Though there is surely more that we can know from God’s word about his wisdom as to how it is first pure, then peaceable, we can move on to looking into how it is gentle, knowing we will be taught more about the others as we go along. 😊 Continue reading →

Read James 3, verses 13-18.

As we continue looking into the teaching of James, it is good to step back a bit and remember that originally this is a letter that was written to Jewish Christians, bodies of believers in different places, facing many trials as they are tested in their faith by God.  The principles and practical wisdom of God that were first written for them as they lived out their faith in Christ were also written for the benefit of those believers who would come after them. That we all may be taught, corrected, rebuked, and trained in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16,17). Continue reading →

Since God is pure, living out our faith as worship before him (Romans 12:1,2) is also to be pure:

Religion that is pure and undefiled before him is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. [1:27]

Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?  He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift us his soul to what is false, and does not swear deceitfully. [Psalm 24:3,4]

Continue reading →

Read James 3:13-18 and Review

Who is wise and understanding among you?

The ones who are truly the wise and understanding are those who know how to wisely live out their faith, the ones who are growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, the ones the Father, by the work of the Holy Spirit, is testing and preserving, conforming to the image of Christ, so that they may persevere and mature in faith, and those who he will one day and finally glorify, present to himself as holy, the ones who by their good conduct show their works in the meekness of wisdom, in the gentle, but strong, humility of wisdom. Continue reading →

Read James 3:13-18

Look at verses 15 & 16.

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. Continue reading →

Read verses 13-18

Look at verses 14-16.

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. Continue reading →

Read through verses 13-18

Continue considering the question that James asks: Who is wise and understanding among you? Look at the second part of verse 13.

By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. Continue reading →

Read verses 13-18.

Begin with an overview of the passage and consider in context of what is being taught in James and then in the Bible as a whole. Continue reading →