How would the world be different if leaders were wise enough to value this?
“The wisdom that comes from above is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17).
• “Pure” means being relatively free of mixed motives.
• “Peace-loving” means longing for and believing in reconciliation.
• “Considerate” means treating others with care and respect (especially behind their backs).
• “Submissive” means having a teachable, cooperative attitude.
• “Full of mercy and good fruit” means actively gracing others.
• “Impartial” means being fair-minded and consistent.
• “Sincere” means avoiding hypocrisy, and speaking with candor.
Totally the truth. If we practice these facts first of all our churches will be changed. We will become real people with true fellowship with God and with one another. Then our light will shine into the bigger world. Thank you for sharing!
Agree, hands down! Thanks for this -apparently- simple way of stating difficult things.
Un abrazo, mi amigo!
This is an inspiring, understanding, commentary as you read the Scriptures. It explains so we who are not Doctors of Theology can really get a true deep teaching of God’s infallible Word. Thank you.
Galatians 5:22-23 Fruits of the spirits is Love, joy, peace,forbearance,kindness, goodness, faithfulness
Gentleness and self-control. If we could all live our lives like this what a beautiful world we would live in.
I think many things, but it is really what God thinks that is important. I have only been alive for 54 years and that is a small time compared to eternity. I do have opinions that change constantly because I hope to constantly grow.
The pureness that this author is speaking of is the pureness that is God’s coming from God. I try to step aside and let His power, wisdom, and truth go through me to others.
Peace-loving is the continuous effort to love each other and stop strife that comes your way. If gentle words are used at someone who is using not so gentle words, it calms the heart.
Considerate is understanding that we all have imperfections and that God has forgiven us for many things. I look at the behavior of sin as going through a city. We might have already been through that city and overcome. But everyone is on a path toward the destination of becoming more like Jesus, but it is not our choice which city of sin we go through and not our place to make a judgment on people because God has not showed them how to overcome that city yet.
I thought, once I was saved that God would help change me in a particular order based on how bad I thought my sins were. It did not happen in the order I thought, but it is happening. God might be changing others in an order that might not make sense to us, but He knows what is best and what order is best.
I do think the author got Submissive right. Being teachable.
Being full of good fruit is “gacing others” to put it in the author’s terms. The fruits of the spirit should be evident in the actions, words, and attitudes we have toward others and God.
Impartial goes with the idea of not being a respecter of persons. The grace, mercy and forgiveness should be given to everyone we encounter. Love the unlovable, along with those that show love to us.
Sincere, is meaning what you say. Being truthful of the words be having our actions match our words.
Fear of the LORD is beginning of wisdom, departing from (shunning) evil is understanding. Yes we should be real…very real…especially claiming to be Christians…We are the light for the world….but soon our light will not Shine and the lost will be set for judgement…how will we face our beloved Creator/ Savior….Dear Lord make us stand strong, courageous and filled with Your Holy Spirit. Only through You can we say or do anything good and right. Sweet Jesus forgive my weaknesses and frail nature. Let not sin rule over me. Your very presence is all I need. I love you so much. Be with us and save the lost who are in an evil grip. In Your precious I pray.
I am a missonary/pastor in Zihuatanejo, Mexico and I am preaching and sharing from the book of James. Those 7 seem to be coming from this same book… God bless, John http://www.zihuachristian.org
if everyone were like that, God would not be so displeased with humanity!