The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

James 3:13-16, “Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.

14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.

15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.

16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.

Have you ever been a member of a church that was involved in calling a new pastor? If you have, you should be greatly interested in what kind of person he really is! Selection of even a committee to interview pastoral candidates and/or administrators should its self be wise and understanding. While I want to believe that most pastoral candidates for a church are wholesome and honest men, truth often skews to the edge of the boundary line when delicate questions are asked. James has a solution for that: check the man’s “good behavior” in areas where he has previously served. Check his “deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.” We can learn more about others when we are gentle, softly inquisitive, and possess an honest inquiry of ourselves.

James says that jealousy is a vile trait in anyone! Instead of developing one’s own skills, the jealous person simply criticizes someone whose skills are better. Jealousy is blatantly unfair and accomplishes nothing. Moreover, a jealous attitude is often simply one person’s attempt to put another person “down.” Sometimes the critic is attempting to “feather his own nest” in the process. He may appear to have spiritual wisdom from the LORD, but he doesn’t! His “wisdom” “is earthly, natural” and sometimes “demonic!”

Jealousy and selfish ambition always produce disorder and chaos, neither of which results in anything of true value. It is worthwhile to conduct a careful investigation of anyone, especially someone who is a potential minister or teacher or even a life companion. Yet, such an investigation should be conducted prayerfully and carefully. And spiritual investigations always start with an honest search of our own hearts. Have you searched your heart lately? Now that I mention it, I’d better search mine, too!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”