But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
~ James 3:17 (NIV)
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People look for advice in a variety of places. There's the ol' advice columns, with Dear Abby and Ann Landers giving their two cents about what people should do for this or that. There are the horoscopes and fortune cookies and psychics. There are friends -- some are trustworthy, and others are sadly not.
When you look for answers as to what to do in a particular situation, you want the best outcome. You want wisdom. And the Word of God says that wisdom comes from heaven...i.e. God. So, when you're scouring the advice columnists and picking peoples' brains for direction, God says, This is how you'll know if the wisdom you're hearing is from Me:
~ It is pure, like My character.
~ It doesn't desire to wage war.
~ It considers the feelings of others.
~ It submits to leadership as I have instituted.
~ It loves and seeks mercy, and supports loving others by doing good to them.
~ It doesn't tell you what you want to hear just to make you happy or to feed your negative emotions.
~ It is sincere, from an honest heart.
I hope that you are listening for God's wisdom, and are discerning when it comes to what people have to say. Does it stand up to God's criteria? And, are you willing to accept wisdom that is pure, even if it goes against your willful flesh?
God's wisdom will always sharpen and strengthen us in our spirit and send us in directions that are healthy and God-honoring. So, what and who are we listening to? May it be the Lord, the God of all wisdom, who loves us enough to tell us what we need to hear, not always what we want to hear.
Love,
Joelene
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