There is wisdom.  And then there is the wisdom from above.  That is the wisdom that we need to seek.  The wisdom from above comes with filters – with boundaries – to help us filter out unnecessary noises that surround us – unnecessary chatterboxes.

James 3:13-18 – Wisdom from Above: “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (ESV)

How do I recognize the wisdom from above?

• First, it is pure.
• Then peaceable
• Gentle
• Open to reason
• Full of mercy and good fruits
• Impartial
• Sincere

How do I recognize the wisdom that does not come from above?

• Bitter jealousy
• Selfish ambition
• Boastful
• False (Fake)
• Earthly
• Unspiritual
• Demonic

What happens when the bitter jealousy and selfish ambition exists?  THERE will be disorder and every vile practice.  No one benefits from this type of wisdom.

I am going to post this chart on my refrigerator for the week and see how it affects the atmosphere in my heart and in my home.  I would challenge you to do the same thing.

Thought Questions

1. Whose voices really matter to you?
2. How might you filter out or turn down the volume of the voices that don’t matter much or at all to you?

There are many other verses in God’s Word that shows us how to filters out the noise – the chatterboxes in our lives.  Here are a few that you can look up:

Proverbs 14:17; Proverbs 18:2-3; Proverbs 1:7,22

My song for today:  Above All

May you find God’s Peace today.