Am I at peace with God and others?
Yesterday
We learned that the wisdom that IS from God is 1st pure.
Today
Let’s take small bites, looking at the outward characteristics of the wisdom that IS from God in verses 17-18.
Open GODcha to the Book of James.
NOTE:
If you don’t have GODcha Get It >
Or, you can use your hardbound Bibles and follow along.
You can print off this post and put in a Notebook!
Let’s Pray
Oh Lord, as we come into Your presence and read Your Word today, may our hearts be flooded with light so that we can understand all that You are teaching us, that we would live in a way that is honoring to You and that we would draw closer to You with every passing day.
LOOK at What God Says
Let GODcha direct you.
What will you do first?
READ God’s Word
Read James 3:13-18, asking the 5W’s and H.
Where does the wisdom from above begin?
What is it’s foundation?
What then are the other characteristics that James uses to describe the wisdom from above?
Let’s Incorporate All Our Strategies
Let’s pick up where we left off last, zooming in on the next characteristic that is key to God’s Wisdom.
Work at your own pace.
Remember there is no rush.
We want to engage with God,
see what He is saying, and
hear Him speak to us personally.
Let’s Try it!
Let’s focus on verse 17-18.
THEN, how is God’s wisdom described?
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, THEN ‘peaceable‘. . .”
Understand God’s Words
Check Out the Meaning
Dictionary Tutorial >Peaceable, eirēnikós; Pertaining to peace, peaceful (James 3:17, disposed to peace). Peace is the blessing of salvation.
Peace, eireânē; quietness, rest. (I) In a civil sense, the opposite of war and dissension. Among individuals, peace, harmony. Metaphorically: peace of mind, tranquillity, arising from reconciliation with God and a sense of a divine favour. (II) A state of peace, tranquillity. (III) Peace, meaning health, welfare, prosperity, every kind of good.
Did you notice peace is mentioned 3 times?
How important is peace to God?
Let Truth Explain Truth
CR-Cross References-Word Search Tutorial >
1. What do you discover about peaceable; peace?
a. The result of being justified is peace with God. (Rom 5:1); (Rom 5:8, 10)
b. Peace is the fruit of the Spirit. (Gal 5:22-23)
c. One of the Beatitudes: Blessed [fully satisfied] are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (Mat 5:9)
We see: All have sinned, are sinners, enemies of God; but when we are justified (declared right before God through faith in Christ) we have peace with God.
We see: As a child of God, peace is being produced in us, thus we are peacemakers.
LISTEN…
Am I at peace with God?
Am I a peacemaker? Am I inclined to live in peace with others?
Do I have peace in my home and with others?
Respond to God. . .LIVE it out!
d. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with ALL men. (Rom 12:18)
NOTE: ‘if‘, it doesn’t say ‘it is’ always possible.
NOTE: so far as it depends on ‘you‘.
We see: we not only have peace with God, but now we have peace with others.
Understand: no matter what you and I do, there will always be people that it will be difficult to have peace with, but we have a responsibility to do all that is possible to be at peace with them.
LISTEN…
Is there anyone I am struggling to have peace with?
As far as it is possible, what am I doing to be at peace with them?
Respond to God. . .LIVE it out!
e. We are to seek peace and pursue it. (1Pe 3:11)
How do we do this?
“All your sons will be taught of the Lord; And the well-being [peace] of your sons will be great. (Isa 54:13)
We see: genuine peace comes to those who seek it through the Lord’s teachings in His Word and heed those teachings.
LISTEN…
Do I seek peace, and pursue it?
Am I seeking it through the Lords teachings in His Word?
Am I heeding those teachings?
Respond to God. . .LIVE it out!
2. 
What would be the opposite of peace, peaceable?
THINK: Peace is free from disturbance, tranquil.
This would cover those situations that are free of strife.
It would be the opposite of disorder, chaos, conflict, and strife that describes earthly wisdom.
LISTEN…
What must I do to produce peace in my life, with my tongue, and with others?
Or. . .is my life and my tongue producing strife, conflict, and disorder?
Respond to God. . .LIVE it out!
3. THINK with me.
Does this mean we sacrifice Truth for peace?
If we do, what happens to purity?
a. The work of righteousness shall be peace. (Isa 32:17)
b. Jesus did not come to bring peace but a sword. (Mat 10:34)
We see: to be united with Jesus doesn’t always bring peace,
rather that unity with Jesus cuts, brings war, like a sword.
We see: Truth Divides.
THINK: Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth, the Life, came to give us Truth – Truth about God and about man, that all people are sinners in need of a Savior and forgiveness. (Joh 14:6)
THINK: We live in a society that rejects Truth, God’s wisdom.
THINK: God’s wisdom is about righteousness, dealing with sin.
Versus, earthly wisdom covers up sin.
We see: It is not peace at any price!
Understand: True wisdom is based on holiness, purity, NOT compromise.
Understand: True wisdom then is at peace with God and if possible, at peace with others.
Understand: True wisdom brings men closer to one another and to God.
Versus, False wisdom creates disorder, conflict and strife.
LISTEN…
What do I do when I get into a dispute over a doctrinal issue?
Am I guilty of sacrificing Truth for peace? Why? How can I change that?
Why do I not compromise Truth for the sake of love?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
Let’s Call It a Day!
We just took a small bite of spiritual food today, let it nourish your soul.
How did God stir your heart as you see God’s Wisdom is peaceable?
Talk to God!
Journal Your Discovery
Make the time to record what you are learning.
Don’t forget to log your precious dialogue with the Lord in your Notes.
I would encourage you to jot the Definitions and Cross References in your hard bound Bibles next to each characteristic.
Let’s Pray
FATHER, LORD GOD WHO IS PEACE, JESUS, THE PRINCE OF PEACE, AND HOLY SPIRIT, WHO PRODUCES PEACE IN US, we bow before You today praising You! We do thank you for Your Holy Word that is pure, as silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times, (Psa 12:6). Oh Father, if we truly have been quick to hear Your Word, and receive it, then we should be asking ourselves whether or not we are peacemakers? Oh Father, forgive us when we have not worked at being peacemakers, especially in this area of out tongue. I ask that everyone who has joined us on this journey has been justified (declared right before You through faith in Christ), that we all have peace with You, and that we are working hard as much as it is possible to be at peace with others. Oh Father, may Your Word change our lives, as we continue to examine ourselves. We ask this in Jesus name, Amen!
I am so proud of you for diving into God’s Word like this.
Next: We will continue to LOOK at this wisdom that is of God.
Need the GODcha Bible Guide? Go to www.Godcha.org and subscribe.