And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. – James 3:18
Somewhere between 620 and 564 B.C., a legendary philosopher influenced many in Greece with his stories and fables. Aesop’s tales often held a strong moral teaching. Frequently, he used animals rather than humans to deliver the gist of his message. Consider the story of the time a donkey found a lion’s skin. He put it on and prowled about with the goal of frightening the other animals. Then along came a fox. The donkey tried his best to intimidate the fox. But the fox, once he heard the donkey’s voice, said, “If you want to terrify me, you’ll have to disguise your bray.” According to Aesop, “Clothes may disguise a fool, but his words will give him away.”
Today’s verse comes from a section dealing with the power of the tongue—the power of your voice. The laws of sowing and reaping also apply to peacemaking. If you sow seeds of peace the seeds, you will reap a harvest of peace. If, on the other hand, you sow strife and division with your words, your harvest will be disorder, disharmony, and conflict (Galatians 6:7-10). Make sure your words reflect who you are in Christ Jesus.
Theologian Dr. G. Campbell Morgan wrote,” The peacemakers are those who live by the heavenly wisdom, which is first pure and then peaceable, that is, by righteousness. These are the men who make peace. To compromise with wrong, to seek for quietness by the sacrifice of righteousness, is not to secure peace, but to make it impossible. On the other hand, to stand for righteousness, even though there must be conflict and suffering, is to sow the fruit wherefrom peace will come.”
In these days of disorder and confusion across America, are you a peace speaker? To speak peace, you must first possess it. Jesus said that your words proceed from what is in your heart (Matthew 15:18). Isaiah said, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you” (Isaiah 26:3). “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). There is a hymn with words borrowed from St. Francis of Assisi which says, “Lord, make me an instrument of peace.” Make that your earnest prayer today. Then pray for those in government who are tasked with diplomatic efforts of securing and maintaining peace.
Today’s Verse: James 3:18
And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: James 3:13-18
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
