A Wise Person is Considerate

Chuckle: After watching her first football game, her boyfriend asked a girl how she liked the game. "I liked it, but I don't not understand why they were killing each other for twenty-five cents." What do you mean?" he asked. "Everyone kept yelling 'get the quarter back!'"

Quote: "Hail the small sweet courtesies of life, for smooth do they make the road of it." --Laurence Sterne

"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). "It is because of him (God) that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God -- that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption" (I Corinthians 1:30 NIV).

We are studying the definition of wisdom that comes from God as opposed to the "wisdom" of the world (James 3:13-18). In summary, We saw in James 1:5 that "If any of you (us) lacks wisdom, he (we) should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault. . ." We have found that divinely given wisdom reflects itself in the way we live -- "by deeds done in humility that comes from wisdom" (vs. 13). Such wisdom is first of all pure (vs. 17). A wise person lives a pure life; uncorrupted, undefiled, genuine, real -- a life of integrity. A wise person is also peace-loving. People with divine wisdom seek to live in peace and to be peacemakers (vs. 17).

Today, we see that wisdom from God will make us considerate (reasonable, gentle, kind), and mindful of the feelings of others. The wise will forego the right to be right. From the human standpoint, we all like to be right in our opinions and assertions, but with divine wisdom, given us by the Holy Spirit, we learn that being right is not worth destroying a relationship. Consideration, gentleness, and kindness are the building blocks of lasting and warm relationships.

It's not important for us to be right, but it is important that we understand and do what is right in God's eyes. You, the husband, might come home at the end of a long day and ask your wife: "how was your day sweetheart?" Instead of being sympathetic and considerate when she tells of her bad day, you say: "You think that's tough - let me tell you about a really bad day!" Such remarks are hurtful, unkind, insensitive, and inconsiderate. Sometimes we are blind to the needs of others because we are so preoccupied with ourselves and our needs. God can give us both the wisdom and the will to overcome such tendencies if we ask in faith. He can make us kind and considerate people. . . .

Please join me in praying for the hundreds of people who receive these daily devotionals. God knows each of them by name even though you don't. We all need the prayers of our brothers and sisters in Christ. . . . "The prayer of a righteous man (person) is powerful and effective" (James 5:16b NIV).

Love, Jerry & Dotse