Good morning. Last night as I was getting ready for bed it suddenly struck me (don't worry I'm OK) - what I was supposed to talk about this morning; and that it was going to be significant. In fact it may be one of the most significant things we will ever talk about. Sadly I am no expert and have failed miserably at times to follow the rules. How do we know if it's God and not something else? Of course Uncle Jimmy (better-known as James) knows best. Starting with verse 15 of Chapter 3: this wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. But where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruit, unwavering, without hypocrisy. First how do we know it's not God? Is it earthly, natural, or demonic? The demonic is easy to dismiss with sincere Christians. They are not going to do something contrary to God's word. The earthly and natural (or unspiritual) though is hard to discern sometimes. We like to use our earthly knowledge to figure things out. Why do we need God, if we can figure it out? I've had that problem in the past; and sadly I think Gabbie has inherited it. It's like if we are healthy and have good health insurance, who needs God for our health? If we have a good job and sufficient money, who needs God for our finances? Verse 16 – is there selfish ambition; is there disorder? Sometimes we want something for our own advancement; and we don't really care whether it's God's will or not. Does this wisdom produce disorder? Will chaos result from the decision? Will people’s lives be disrupted? Will it cause strife among friends, family, or coworkers? The wisdom from above is first pure. The word first can mean first in time or first in importance. Does it completely align with God's word? If there's any doubt, it's not God. But that's usually not the problem, is it? When we have problems, it's usually about something that we cannot find explicitly in the word of God. It's not like we're wondering should we sell drugs to help with the finances. It's usually something that's not bad in itself. The second characteristic is the one that's really important – is it peaceable? First does it produce peace or strife with those around us? Second do you have peace about the decision? This is where Christians are sadly not trained at all. After you make the decision in your head, you have to look inside to see if there is peace. If you imagine yourself following through with that decision, does there feel like peace or turmoil in your inward being? It's like mentally taking a step in that direction. Does it feel like there is resistance inside of you - in your belly, if you will. If not, then there is a good probability that you are on the right path. As you go day by day "pretending" that this is what you're going to do, do you feel resistance or turmoil inside of you? Anytime you do - pause. It may be a warning sign that you are on the wrong path. When we do walk down the wrong path then like in Isaiah chapter 30 verse 21 we hear a voice behind us saying, "this is the way, walk in it" whenever you turn to the right or to the left. Why do we hear the voice behind us? It's because we turned off the path; either to the right or to the left. As long as we are on the path, we hear the voice beside us not behind us. Do you hear God's voice beside you or behind you? Are you walking in His path, or in your own? Do you have His peace within you or is there uncertainty? Of course it's easier to give advice than to take advice – even if it's your own that you are giving others. Physician heal thyself. The final characteristic we're going to look at today – is it unwavering? Do you feel one way now, and the opposite way later? When we have made the decision, we should be steady. We should not waver. Father help the reader to make the right decision; have peace about it; and to not waver. To know whether it is Your voice beside him/her or behind him/her; to know if he’s/she's walking in the correct path.

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