Fragrant With Heaven's Blessing

[Daily Devotional]

Fragrant With Heaven's Blessing 

     Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out
of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have
bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the
truth. James 3:13, 14.  

     What is lying against the truth? It is claiming to believe the truth
while the spirit, the words, the deportment, represent not Christ but Satan.
To surmise evil, to be impatient and unforgiving, is lying against the
truth, but love, patience, and long forbearance are in accordance with the
principles of truth. Truth is ever pure, ever kind, breathing a heavenly
fragrance unmingled with selfishness. . . .  

     To be unkind, to denounce others, to give expression to harsh, severe
judgments, to entertain evil thoughts, is not the result of that wisdom
which is from above. . . . The language of the Christian must be mild and
circumspect, for his holy faith requires him to represent Christ to the
world. All those who abide in Christ will manifest the kind, forgiving
courtesy that characterized His life. Their works will be works of piety,
equity, and purity. They will have the meekness of wisdom, and will exercise
the gift of the grace of Jesus.  

     "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, . . . and be ye thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and
admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing
with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Col. 3:15, 16). This was Christ's
practice. He was often assailed by temptation, but in place of yielding or
being provoked, He sang God's praises. With spiritual songs He stopped the
fluent speech of those whom Satan was using to create strife. . . .  


     When those who love God are tempted, let them sing the praises of their
Creator rather than speak words of accusing or faultfinding. The Lord will
bless those who thus try to make peace. Trust in God. Be careful not to give
the enemy any advantage by your unguarded words. Keep looking to Jesus. He
is your strength. . . .  

     Be so considerate, so tender, so compassionate, that the atmosphere
surrounding you will be fragrant with Heaven's blessing.

>From That I May Know Him - Page 185