Devotionals by Raul Ries
FRIDAY July 24, 2026
Earthly Demonic Wisdom
But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
James 3:14-16
James pointed out that if there are bitter envy and self-seeking in the lives of Christians, evil lurks there. What does it mean to be self-seeking? When a person is very ambitious, they try to build their own kingdom, because they have their own agenda. A Christian cannot be like that. Listen, as we are given the opportunity to use our gifts and talents, it is all for God’s glory––not our own.
What is the root cause of self-seeking? Pride! What was Satan’s sin? Pride! The sin of pride was Satan’s downfall:
Ezekiel 28:15, 17: “You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you. ... Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, that they might gaze at you.”
Isaiah 14:12: “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations!”
The Scriptures reveal to us that God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints (1 Corinthians 14:33). If God is not the author of confusion, who is? It is often attributed to Satan, who works through people who are envious and self-seeking––this wisdom is earthly, sensual, demonic. As children of God, we are to walk in God’s wisdom having His truth and light (Ephesians 5:15; 3 John 4).
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth).
~Ephesians 5:8-9~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
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About Raul Ries
Raul Ries is the Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Golden Springs and President of Somebody Loves You Ministries. After his miraculous conversion in 1971, Raul began to read and study the Bible extensively even though he had a limited education. In 1974 he began a home Bible study with seven other committed individuals. Soon, he started to preach and counsel youth during the noon hour at his former high school, Baldwin Park High. Calvary Chapel West Covina grew out of Raul's home fellowship, as well as his Kung-Fu studio, and was soon meeting weekly at an old converted Safeway store. In 1993, the congregation moved to Diamond Bar and occupied a 101,000 square-foot corporate building on 28 acres. Calvary Chapel Golden Springs (as it is now called) draws between 10,000 - 12,000 in attendance weekly.
Author of several books, including Fury to Freedom (the story of his early life and dramatic conversion), Raul Ries has also produced three films: Fury to Freedom (feature film dramatization of the book); A Quiet Hope (a riveting and stirring documentary detailing seven soldier's accounts of the Vietnam War and its aftermath); and A Venture in Faith (a documentary of the history of the Calvary Chapel movement).
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(909) 396-1884