Devo Week 4 - Discerning the Unseen Realm

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” Matt. 10:16 (ESV)

The Many-Sided Wisdom of God - A Missional Lens

Maybe you’re surrounded by contradictory messages and feel like throwing your hands up. I know the feeling. Oftentimes spiritual battles are over wisdom. In James 3, this type of battlefront is revealed. There are two kinds of wisdom — one that’s heavenly, the other that’s worldly — and each comes from a different source. While heavenly wisdom produces the Kingdom of God in our midst, earthly, unspiritual and demonic wisdom opposes it. It’s important that we can discern between the two.

WHO IS FOR US:

Wisdom from God produces humility. It is also “pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:13,17) Look for such things.

God’s wisdom is also being made known to principalities and powers in the unseen realm. In Ephesians 3:10-11, we see that God’s extraordinary plan — that is, the spreading of the Gospel through followers of Jesus to all nations — is becoming known and “talked about even among the angels!”

WHO IS AGAINST US:

Where there is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic wisdom, you’ll see boasting, deep-seated envy, and selfish ambition. There will be strife and disorder. (James 3:14-16) Take note of such behavior, no matter how good what’s being said sounds.

Jesus warned us. He said the devil and the world’s system will oppose us, but to take heart — He has overcome! (John 16:33) Opposition to the spreading of the Good News will continue until all nations have been reached and Jesus has returned at the Second Coming.

PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL BREAKTHROUGH

Father, thank you for sending Jesus to be the Messiah for the Jews and for all nations! We join with You in this mission!  Lord, fill us and guide us by your Holy Spirit as to how and where we can join in Your great plan. Lord, we repent of all earthly, unspiritual and demonic wisdom. We ask for a spirit of wisdom and revelation to rest upon us as we seek to know you better and see your Kingdom established upon the earth. And may the Lamb of God receive His inheritance among all nations as the wisdom of heaven is revealed through Jesus! In His name we pray, Amen.