Nov.20

James 4

I get to spend my day with kindergartners. Watching them interact can be anywhere on the spectrum from entertaining to frustrating depending on what's going on. Some have not turned 5 yet and the idea of sharing, compromising, and talking issues out is far fetched to say the least. What I've noticed is that when they interact they all think they're right based on what they feel in the moment. What they disagree over is usually based on their own paradigm, desires and self gratification. There are days I'm not sure how different I am than any of them and in reading today's passage, I think that is exactly what James is warning us about.  As Christ followers, our feelings and fleshly desires, when not checked against the word of God and evaluated for our motives, are exactly what cause quarrels.  When we don't stop and pray and realign hearts with Christ we find ourselves giving into the ways of the world instead of the ways of God. It is easy to see how we can encounter conflicts. Conflicts are not created by the Spirit of God and are created when our motives and desires are outside of the principles of the Kingdom. The Spirit of God does not create envy or give way to pride. I think what James wants us to understand is that when our perspective is not Kingdom centered and is more personal centered that's when we will be likely to give into the temptation or conflict. God's word is Spirit breathed truth and the foundation of who we are in the body of Christ. It's what unites us as keeps us as one. Only by the power of the Holy Spirit's conviction will we be able to check ourselves, set aside our pride aside, and humble ourselves before God so that we can receive grace and be lifted up. Lord, we thank You for grace. I pray that by the power of Your Spirit when faced with choices today we resist the enemy and set our minds on things above that reflect Your Kingdom and bring You honor and glory.

Randi