Discerning – Page 31 – Three Minute Bible

March 25, 2020March 25, 2020

Wisdom Wednesday — Soft Hearts

Picture of a teddy bear with a cloth heart.

My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,
and do not resent his rebuke,

because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in.

— Proverbs 3: 11-12

Discipline is almost always a little bit painful. Not because it involves physical pain, although that is sometimes a part of discipline. Instead, it is because it is painful to see ourselves as we really are.

The whole point of discipline is to correct someone’s behavior or attitude. To do that, we have to be made aware of what we were doing wrong. Our underlying character is what determines how well we take correction.

March 18, 2020March 17, 2020

John 4: 6b – Pride

That is why Scripture says:
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”

This scripture passage is a bit of a puzzle. James writes, “That is why…”

What is why?

What did I miss??

James was talking about fights and quarrels. About not receiving what we ask for, about having the wrong motives. He talks about being an enemy of God and adulterous. Then he writes, “That is why scripture says God opposes the proud…”

Why?

Why does God oppose the proud?

Like so many words in our language, “proud” has more than one meaning. The common usage is to feel pleased with what one has done. A blogging example might be, “I feel proud of the post I wrote yesterday.” The other definition has to do with having a high opinion of one’s self. This kind of pride leads to arrogance and an unwillingness to listen to others. It is this second kind of pride that God opposes.

The prideful person does not accept correction. They do not see a need for help. They do not think they need God. When it comes to God’s gift of grace, they reject it.

The humble person sees themselves for what they are. They know they need help. When God offers them grace, they accept it gratefully. (I wanted to say ‘gracefully.’ 🙂 )

If God opposes the proud, it is because the proud oppose God. James lists our shortcomings and points out our need for God. The humble recognize the truth in James’ words and are thankful for God’s grace.

Application: Take a personal inventory: What kind of pride do you see in your life? The pride of self-importance, or the pride of service rendered to God?

Food for Thought: How does God oppose the proud and favor the humble?

Please click ‘’Continue Reading” for comments.

March 13, 2020March 15, 2020

James 4: 1-2a – Troubleshooter

A fantasy image of a man using a screwdriver to adjust the machinery in his head.

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight.

I am beginning to see James in a new light. His mind is highly analytical. His entire letter is structured around this pattern repeated over and over again:

Problem – Analysis – Solution

What is the problem here? There are fights and quarrels among believers!

James provides his analysis: Fights and quarrels are outer reflections of the desires that battle inside you!

March 12, 2020March 12, 2020

James 3: 16-18 – Discernment

Picture of a small boy sticking out his tongue

For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 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. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

At the end of my post yesterday I asked this question: “Why is it good to be able to discern who is wise among a group of believers?”

In James’ letter, he tells us about the dangers of the tongue and the importance of taming it. I agree, and I agree that I need to tame mine first. Yet where the tongue is not reined in, James warns that it can ignite a great forest fire. It can corrupt the whole body. If it can corrupt an individual’s body can it also corrupt the church body?

March 11, 2020March 12, 2020

James 3: 13-15 – Wise Guys

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

Did you know there are two kinds of wisdom? I hadn’t thought about this before. James takes the word “wisdom” and turns it on its head in this passage.

The first kind of wisdom is the kind I always think about when I read Proverbs. Who is “wise and understanding?” If we answer, “I am!”, how do we know? What little voice tells us that we are wise and understanding? How do we know what kind of “wise” we are?