Lessons for Life with James Long, Jr.
Are you longing to find answers to the deeper issues of life? Join James, a pastor, counselor, and university professor with over 30 years of experience. Hear James as he tackles some of life's biggest questions and helps us find God's solutions to life's struggles. Learn the power of living by God's grace and for His glory. Experience the joy of forgiveness and freedom found in Jesus Christ alone. If you are on a search for freedom, you will love being part of this conversation. Subscribe, and enjoy the show!
Lessons for Life with James Long, Jr.
Wisdom That Builds Trust (Not Walls)
ABOUT JAMES AND LESSONS FOR LIFE
Are you longing to find answers to the deeper issues of life? Join Dr. James Long, Jr., a pastor, counselor, and university professor with over 30 years of experience. Hear James as he tackles some of life’s biggest questions and helps us find God’s solutions to life’s struggles. Learn the power of living by God’s grace and for His glory. Experience the joy of forgiveness and freedom found in Jesus Christ alone. If you are in search of freedom, you will love being part of this conversation. Subscribe, and enjoy the show!
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Episode 1, wisdom that Builds, not Breaks, series Wisdom for Every Relationship. Hi, friends and welcome to Lessons for Life with James Long Jr. Today we're beginning a brand new series called Wisdom for Every Relationship. Over the next several weeks we'll walk through the powerful ways God calls you to live wisely in marriage, friendships, family work and even dealing with difficult people. If you've ever felt tension in your relationships or wondered how to build stronger connections, this series is for you. Today we're starting at the foundation wisdom that builds, not breaks.
Speaker 1:Have you ever watched a construction project? Maybe it was a home being built in your neighborhood, or renovation at your church or office building. The process is slow foundation first, then careful framing and then, layer by layer, it starts to take shape. But demolition happens fast A few well-placed strikes and the wall comes crashing down. Relationships work the same way. Day by day, word by word, we're either building something strong or slowly weakening the structure by our carelessness. The question is not whether we are building something, but it's what you're building, and scripture has a lot to say about the kind of wisdom that strengthens or destroys. Let's anchor our hearts to God's word together. Proverbs, chapter 14, verse 1, says the wisest of women builds her house, but folly, with her own hands tears it down.
Speaker 1:James, chapter 3, tells us who is wise and understanding among you by his good conduct. Let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercies and good fruit. According to Scripture, wisdom isn't just knowing a lot of information. It's revealed in how we live, especially how we handle relationships. James draws a sharp contrast between two types of wisdom One that is pure, peaceable, gentle and merciful, and one that is rooted in selfish ambition and pride. Now let's first talk about earthly wisdom. James warns us that worldly wisdom is often fueled by jealousy and self-centeredness. It looks clever, persuasive and even impressive on the outside, but underneath it leads to division, suspicion and brokenness. In earthly wisdom, winning the argument matters more than pursuing the relationship. Protecting pride matters more than pursuing peace, and selfish ambition replaces sincere love. Slowly, brick by brick, trust is dismantled.
Speaker 1:Second, let's look at godly wisdom. Godly wisdom is pure, not tainted by hidden motives. It's peaceable, not defensive or combative. It's gentle, not harsh or domineering. It's open to reason, not stubbornly clinging to control. It's full of mercy, not quick to condemn. And when you walk in godly wisdom, you become a builder, building trust through honesty, building security through kindness and building reconciliation through humility.
Speaker 1:Now I want you to picture this. A husband and wife are having an argument. The wife expresses that she feels unheard and hurt. Earthly wisdom says you're too sensitive. I didn't mean it that way. Get over it. Walls go up, wounds deepen. Now here's godly wisdom. Godly wisdom says this I am so sorry, I hurt you. Help me understand better how I can love you more wisely. Walls come down and healing begins. One response builds, the other breaks. It's not about being perfect. It's about choosing a better path when tension arises. Now let's slow down and reflect In your recent conversations.
Speaker 1:Whose wisdom has been shaping your words, god's or the world's? When conflict arises, do you listen before speaking? Do you seek peace or do you seek to win? Are you willing to be gentle when you feel attacked? Are you quick to show mercy, even when you're right? Wisdom is not passive, it's active. It chooses humility. It builds peace. One conversation, one prayer and one relationship at a time. Now, this week, I want to challenge you. Pick one relationship at home, at work and in your extended family and ask what would it look like to walk in the meekness of wisdom here. Maybe it means pausing before reacting. Maybe it means asking a clarifying question instead of making assumptions and accusations. Maybe it simply means speaking words that heal not hurt.
Speaker 1:If you'd like to grow deeper with us and continue to build stronger relationships, I invite you to join our community at communityjameslongjrorg. That's communityjameslongjrorg, and if you'd like to learn more about the different levels of membership and all the additional resources we offer, visit jameslongjrorg slash. Sign up now. We would love to walk alongside you in this journey towards relational wisdom and gospel-centered living. Let me close in prayer. Father, thank you for your wisdom that builds what we could never build on our own. Teach us to walk humbly, speak gently and to walk wisely. May our homes, lord, and our workplaces in our community reflect the beauty of Christ's heart. We surrender our relationships to you today. In Jesus' name, we pray Amen. Well, thank you for joining me. I look forward to growing with you next time and we continue our series Wisdom for Every Relationship.
