Passage: Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Journal: This description, one of "bitter envy" and "self-seeking hearts", is the opposite of the "meekness of wisdom." It describes the man who is resentful toward others and has a selfish agenda, an agenda that creates dissension and is often antagonistic toward God. This "look at me" wisdom promotes the man and benefits the man. It is "earthly" (and therefore limited and fleeting), "sensual" (and therefore elevating the desires of an unsanctified heart) and "demonic" (and therefore derived of Satan). Confusion abounds in the "boast" of man, for man is magnifying that which is small and insignificant (himself). There is no greater "lie against the truth" than when man gives glory to self and thus ignores the magnificent glory of God.
Heard 'Round the House:
Luke (age 11) is much like me at that age. He loves sports (especially baseball), gets excited when sports are on TV (we only get about 50% of the Ranger games), but often cannot resist the allure of playing sports while the game is on. Such was the case yesterday afternoon as he was outside with his baseball glove and a tennis ball (throwing the ball against the wall) around the 8th inning. I went outside and gave him a report that the Rangers had scored two in the 8th to tie the game. He came in about 10 minutes later and, though as our eyes met I didn't say a word, my expression must have told him that I was surprised he took so long to come in to watch the end of the game. It was at this point that he gave his humble explanation of his delay --
Luke: "I like to end on a really good defensive play."
[Pause]
Luke (continuing): "Sometimes that takes a while . . ."