¹³ If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. ¹⁵ For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. ¹⁶ For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. ¹⁸ And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.

James 3:13-18

Dear God, the fruits of the Spirit are interesting. What do we do with them when we see them in someone who does not have faith in you? TV characters like Ted Lasso. Even an interview I saw with Jay Leno last night led me to see him as a kind person who tries to forgive slights and move on, although in Mr. Leno’s case I couldn’t help but wonder if it wasn’t a survival mechanism he developed over time.

But what James is describing here is kind of Paul’s Fruits of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23. The first thought I had when I read this passage this morning is that this is how I know you are a loving God. Proximity to you brings about these fruits. The closer I get to you the more loving I am. The more patient I am. The more forgiving I am. If you aren’t these things, then I wouldn’t be drawn to them as I get closer to you.

Father, I am grateful for this time with you this morning. I plan to try to be in this moment with you as much as possible. Holy Spirit, walk with me today. Help me to know how to love the Father. Jesus, teach me. Thank you for everything. Father, thank you to you as well. I love you, my Triune God.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen