The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

James 3:13-18, “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.
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable,
full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who
make peace.”

Arguments and debates are usually thought of as having been born in the human
mind. The Apostle James, however, looks beyond the more visible and cites such
as having originated in the decadence of the human heart, and ultimately from
the devil himself.

Listening to debates of a serious nature, we have all wondered how anyone with
such impeccable credentials could be so wrong in his evaluation of the subject
under discussion. Could it be that our understanding is limited to the words we
hear? No matter how intelligent another might seem, or how impenatrable his
position may appear, if the source of an argument is not from the LORD, it is
ultimately from Satan.

The truthful approach in any discussion must originate from Christian purity. It
must focus on that which is ultimately beneficial and that which honors and glorifies
the LORD! Even a cursory evaluation of James’ position reveals that he is not out
to win anything other than the hearts of believers to the purity of the LORD Jesus.
May we always strive for the same in all our endeavors.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom