Widsom

 Rick Hein continued the James series by preaching to Jubilee's city location this past Sunday. He said many things that pricked my heart.
James 3:13-18 compares two kinds of wisdom: wisdom from God and wisdom from selfish ambition. The wisdom from God expresses itself in behavior that is honoring to God, whereas the wisdom from bitterness and selfish ambition is scheming and deceitful.

Is this, selfish ambition tries to circumvent God's desire for our lives. If we are scheming and working in confusion to achieve or gain something, we're basically saying, "God, you don't really get it. I need this. I don't actually trust you. So, I'm smarter than you. K? Thanks."

Psalm 84:11 proclaims God's character: "No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly." Rick observed, basically, "if we don't have it, we don't need it!"

Here's the logic train
1. God's is a giver. He is the definition of love and giving.
2. He gives us wisdom and reveals truth, which changes us.
3. Our behavior changes as a result of changed character; we walk "uprightly" and with "good conduct".
4. God gives more good things to us and does not withhold good things.
5. If hasn't given it, it either isn't good for us now or good for us at all. We don't need it.

What do I do with that?
Ask God to examine my heart. Am I seeking and scheming to gain something I don't need?
Ask God for wisdom. More wisdom, Lord! You promised it, Lord. Thank you! I want my heart to be like the wise in Proverbs 9:9: "Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
Trust the character of God in the midst of desire and turmoil.

Are you trusting God's character or scheming to get what you want?