Day 209, Year 1

Extirpate Demonic Wisdom

“But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.” (James 3:14-15 NKJV)

Those who borrow the devil’s wisdom will have to return it sooner or later for the price of their souls. And it is scary! Besides, those who do not like the fruit of the tongue, but like speaking nonsense and saying whatever comes to mind, also need to pay attention, because there will also be a time to reap the rotten fruit of their words. The example in today’s passage illustrates that people who use demonic wisdom, marked by bitterness, jealousy, self-seeking, boasting, and lies against the truth, will be caught in its grip and unable to free themselves from the snares of sin and the devil.

The writer of the book of James wants us to come to our senses, because it is the devil who conspires and plots evil against sinners, regardless of whether they believe in God or not. When people apply the devil’s wisdom, they are under its control and cannot be saved. For instance, I have seen people who go to church gatherings and listen to the preaching, only to counteract and resist the truth. They often gather some believers after the gatherings to first speak about some points they find hilarious, appealing, or reasonable in the teachings, so as to gain the approval of others. Then, they will point out that the scriptures are too difficult or archaic to work, or offer novel interpretations, and ultimately lead people to ignore the biblical truth but accept cunning and wicked evil words, and to despise God’s Word unto eternal death.

We must first deal with the negative emotions and memories within us so as to be freed from the bondage of demonic wisdom. The bitterness, jealousy, and self-seeking probably refer to negative experiences and memories that have not been properly dealt with in our minds. The word “bitter,” pikros in Greek, also means “virulent, or harsh,” and has the idea of “piercing.” In other words, the experience of being pierced or mistreated by others can easily lead to bitterness in us. This bitterness not only leads us to complain against God and resist His Word, but also causes us to strive for the satisfaction we think we deserve in human relationships, thus giving birth to sins such as jealousy and strife. But in fact, all the wounds of being pierced or mistreated can find healing in Jesus. Sometimes, we have to recall the pain of past wounds, because we can be habituated to the feeling of bitterness. Finally, we should ask Him to change our feelings and mentality, ask for His forgiveness, and utterly replace the devil’s wisdom with God’s in us.

Reflection questions:

1) How do you habitually deal with the intentions, thoughts, or words that counteract or resist God’s Word? Is there a need to rely on the Lord to change the habit?

2) Have all the negative experiences in your heart been healed by the Lord Jesus? If not, do you need to seek help from other mature believers?