Wise or Demonic...the thin line.

I serve at a great church with a great pastor. Over the past few years I have learned a lot from watching him preach and teach. One thing that I think he is great at is developing what he calls"filters." These filters are used to make decisions, test your heart, and check your spirit. I have begun working on developing some filters for decision making in my life. Last week I was working on a message for our high school guys on avoiding selfish ambition. I was studying out of James 3. In the middle of that passage I saw a filter on how to make wise decisions. See what you think:

Here is what the passage says (HCSB): "Who is wise and understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom's gentleness. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't brag and lie in defiance of the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."

So here is the filter I developed:
1) Wise decisions produce obedient behaviour. Ask yourself will this decision help me obey God?

2) Wise decisions do not lead to selfish gain or bitter envy. Ask yourself does this decision benefit a selfish desire/ambition or it is profitable for bringing glory to God and ministering to people?

3) Decisions not made with wisdom are earthly, sensual, and catch this...DEMONIC. Ask yourself how important making wise decisions really are?

4)Wise Decisions made from selfish ambitions usually lead to disorder and evil. Ask yourself do I want more chaos in my life or do I already have enough?

5) Wise Decisions bring purity in relationships, peace, grace, mercy, and integrity to our lives. Ask yourself if you want other people to make decisions that will extend these attributes into your life.

Just some thoughts as you make decisions. Now here is perhaps the greatest news of all. If you are like me you are in desperate need of the wisdom required to make wise choices. James 1:5 says:

"Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him"

I am going to be asking a lot more now that I understand the fine line between a wise choice and a demonic one. How about you?