James 3:2 - We should all wise up!

“We all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a mature man who is also able to control his own body.”

James 3:2

God wants us to mature in the faith. He wants us to learn to control our tempers and our tongues, especially in dealing with our loved ones, friends and church family. It surprises me how often Christians become angry with many of their own family members and those that are in the church body. This should not be. We are not of this world. We are Christ’s and we should walk in love. Not only do these Christians get angry, but they also talk. This causes family and church splits. The three most common things people do when they get angry are: 1) they blow up. 2) they clam up and give the person the silent treatment, deciding that they will never talk to them again. And 3) is God’s way—they wise up. Proverbs 15:18 says “A hothead starts fights; a cool-tempered person tries to stop them” (NLT). The NKJV says “A wrathful man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger allays contention.” The CEV version says “Losing your temper causes a lot of trouble, but staying calm settles arguments.” God’s Spirit is inside of us. We have His nature. He has made a way for our flesh to be crucified. We can do this. We can walk in this. He can supernaturally help us when we get mad, hurt or angry. James 3:17 says “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.” God’s wisdom leads to harmony and peace. Human wisdom leads to dissension, arrogance, and pride. And we must not forget that pride was Satan’s downfall so … wise up. J

Father, may we wise up instead of blow up or clam up when we get angry. May we also control our tongues.  We don’t want to cause dissension in our families or our church. We don’t want to be arrogant or hot-headed. We don’t want to be prideful. We want to resemble Christ. We want to be “pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.” We also want to always walk in Your love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.