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.
James 3:13 NIV
If you are having relationship trouble, here are some truths to ponder. Wisdom produces good conduct, and you can recognize it in your relationships because, according to James 3:16, it is:
- Pure
- Peaceable
- Gentle
- Open to reason
- Full of mercy and good fruit
- Impartial
- Sincere
But jealousy and selfish ambition (both self-centered in nature) produce bad conduct in relationships; they create disorder (see James 3:17–19). Both jealousy and selfish ambition create passions in us that are not guided by wisdom. You can recognize these evils in your relationships because they result in quarrels and fights.
If you have a consistent history in your relationships of quarreling, fighting, and relational disorder, check your heart for selfishness or jealousy. Confess any sin in your heart, then ask God for wisdom and empowerment from the Holy Spirit to practice good conduct. If you are aligning with those who are characterized by selfishness, ask God to give you relationship wisdom so you will know how to proceed. It all comes back to the heart.
Lord, help me to show only love and acceptance to others, to love them unselfishly and rely on You. Amen.
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Today’s reading was adapted from Daily Wisdom for Women: 2017 Devotional Collection with permission from Barbour Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Reading was written by Shana Schutte.