Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

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))

Does your life reflect wisdom and understanding?

As followers of Christ, we are called to shine the light of Jesus into a dark and dying world. We are called to reflect what we have been given.

How can we shine, how can we reflect what Jesus has freely given?

I know that I am mixing proverbial metaphors, but I honestly believe that we reflect the wisdom and understanding we get from Jesus by bearing good fruit, especially the fruit of the Spirit!

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
(Galatians 5:22-23a (NIV))

Accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior starts you on a path of spiritual maturity where each day finds you growing more and more into the image of Jesus.

Will we ever make it to full maturity?

Unfortunately, in this sinful and fallen world, we are burdened by humanity's traits that keep surfacing, even when we don't want them to surface. Paul's words express it best.

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
(Romans 7:15-20 (NIV))

Even though Paul did things he didn't want to do, he still reflected Jesus in all things. He let Jesus shine in such a way that true wisdom and understanding was shown to all the world.

We should strive to mature in our faith and be like Jesus, but we must accept the fact that on even our best days we will still fall short of being like Paul. Even so, we must show the world Jesus in all the things we do in our lives.

What do people see in your life?

Copyright 1998 - 2026 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
https://www.dailylivingministries.org
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