THE BOOK OF JAMES #13 TRUE WISDOM
DATE: 10/11/2009 pm
READ TEXT: James 3:13-18
INTRODUCTION:
We saw in vs. 1-12 of James chapter 3 God dealing with the need for us to control our tongues
He specifically addressed the dangers of the improper use of the Tongue and the damage that can result
Now he deals with the subject of Wisdom
Just as the Tongue can be used to bless or to destroy, there are two different aspects of Wisdom
There is Earthly Wisdom and Heavenly Wisdom
~~~OPENING PRAYER~~~
I. THE “WISE” MAN – v.13
“Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom”
A. This verse connects the two passages
The first half of Chapter 3 and our text True Wisdom – James 3:13-18
In v.2 the 'perfect' or mature Christian, is noted to be one who is in control of their tongue
“For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body”
James now asks the question –
"Who is a wise man … among you?"
How many believe themselves to be wise and mature Christians?
Before we’re too quick to answer …
James gives us the way to evaluate ourselves in light of True Wisdom (In light of the Scriptures)
The thought undoubtedly goes back to v.1 of this chapter
“My brethren, be not many masters,(self promoting) knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation”
Referring to those who promoted themselves as (wise) teachers
If they so considered themselves such …
James’ advise for them is to first demonstrate through their lives whatever wisdom they claimed to possess
2 True Wisdom – James 3:13-18
B. True wisdom is revealed by how we live, not by what we know or say
Within a church, who are the wise teachers and leaders?
We may think of certain individuals who are ‘highly educated’
Maybe people who are 'professionals'
But that isn't the criteria at all!
James never tells us to show our credentials to prove who is wise…
Instead, he tells us to show our wisdom by ‘how we live’
The wise man will reveal his wisdom by ‘his actions’
V. 13b –“let him shew out of a good conversation…”
A good conversation is talking about Life Style
Which includes what we say; but deals more with our overall actions
“…his works…”
Reminds us that our Christianity is something that is to be seen by others
3 True Wisdom – James 3:13-18
Matthew 5:16 – "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
James 2:18 – “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.”
God sees our faith, men see our Works
Look at the phrase “… with meekness of wisdom”
The phrase “with meekness” means power or strength under control
Meekness does not equal weakness!
Meekness refers to an even natured disposition, control of emotions, and gentleness of spirit
It is the opposite of being quick to lose one’s temper (swift to wrath)
James said back in 1:19 – “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”
Clearly implied is that True Wisdom will be evident in disciplined emotions
4 True Wisdom – James 3:13-18 Especially the negative ones such as anger, loss of temper, and a sharp tongue
Godly wisdom (to the degree of being a spiritual leader) requires one to have not only his tongue under control but his emotions and temperament as well
Moses was called the meekest man ever to live
Numbers 12:3 – “(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)”
(This is when Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of his marriage to an Ethiopian woman)
We know that Moses was not a weak man
He was 80 years old when God called him into ministry
Acts 7:30 – “And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush”
Again the picture is of one who is disciplined in his behavior
THE “WISE” MAN
Now we see James contrasting Earthly and Heavenly Wisdom
II. “EARTHLY” WISDOM – vs. 14-16
5 True Wisdom – James 3:13-18
A. Notice the identifying ‘traits’ of earthly wisdom – v.14
“But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth”
‘Bitter’ (piercing) ‘envying’ (jealousy)
‘Strife’ (fighting and contention) in their hearts
They “glory” (boast) in these traits and they lie against the truth
What truth? They claim to be wise, when in reality they are fools
I Corinthians 3:18-19 –"Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.” “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness."
“bitter envying and strife” surely reflects neither wisdom nor the meekness as defined in v.13
Some who sought to be leaders, very possibly, may have been so inclined
He admonishes them to not therefore advance themselves
6 True Wisdom – James 3:13-18 Thus disproving the very truth they claimed to teach
To live in such a carnal, spiritually immature way is to discredit the very truth to be taught
As the old adage says –
‘Our talk talks, and our walk talks; But out walk talks louder than our talk talks’
Bitterness and strife contradict and betray supposed wisdom in leadership
B. Notice the source of earthly wisdom –v.15
“This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish”
An alleged wisdom (in a preacher or leader) which manifests itself in a sharp tongue, a bitter spirit, and an envious attitude is an oxymoron
Such wisdom is not from God
“descendeth not from above”
Recall how James began the book by noting that true wisdom is always available from God
James 1:5 – “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
7 True Wisdom – James 3:13-18 Rather, the false wisdom professed by those advancing themselves as spiritual leaders was “earthly, sensual, devilish”
It is “earthly” (of this world)…
It is “sensual” (of the natural or flesh)…
It is “devilish” (demon-like)
The world, the flesh, and the devil
In other words…it didn't come from God!
C. The proof is in the results – v.16
“For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work”
‘Confusion’ (disorder and commotion)
‘Evil work’ (wicked deeds)
The Source of wisdom is determined by the Fruits of that wisdom
What comes out tells us exactly where it’s from!
THE “WISE” MAN
“EARTHLY” WISDOM
III. “HEAVENLY” WISDOM – vs.17-18
8 True Wisdom – James 3:13-18
James describes briefly the essence of godly wisdom in seven ways
This result is sharply in contrast with the evil work that results from earthly wisdom
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”
A. First it is Pure (clean or innocent, Holy)
1. It is pure because the source is pure
True wisdom does not come from seeking the knowledge and wisdom of men and of this world; it comes from seeking God-from seeking the knowledge and wisdom of God
The source of His knowledge is His Word
We have no excuse for not possessing True Wisdom…
He has promised to give it to us
Again James 1:5 – "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
B. Other descriptive terms used
2. Peaceable
9 True Wisdom – James 3:13-18
At peace with God At peace with others At peace with ourselves
3. Gentle (equitable and fair, just)
4. Easy to be intreated ‘easy to obey,’ and has the greater thought of being easy to accept
5. Full of mercy and good fruits (not giving what one deserves)
6. Without partiality has the sense of being ‘genuine’ or ‘sincere’
7. Without Hypocrisy Godly wisdom is never phony nor of false pretense
C. These terms describe for us the character of Christ
If we seek after His wisdom, we will put on His character
Which is exactly what we are commanded to do!
John 13:15 – "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you"
Philippians 2:5 – "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus"
CONCLUSION:
10 True Wisdom – James 3:13-18
The summary is found in v.18
“And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”
This final verse summarizes all that James has been teaching about a truly godly life
He uses the illustration of sowing and reaping
Righteous sowing results in righteous reaping
Note the comparisons made:
Earthly wisdom results in 'confusion' v.16
Earthly wisdom results in 'every evil work'
But God's wisdom results in “the fruit of righteousness”
It is sown in peace by those who are 'peace-makers'
God's people should be characterized as peace-makers
Matthew 5:9 – "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Proverbs 6:16-19 - "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto Him:” “A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,”
11 True Wisdom – James 3:13-18 “An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,” “A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."
This is what was going on in the lives of James' readers
Notice that chapter 4:1 tells us that they were not at peace, but rather they were at war
“From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?”
Why? Because they were relying upon earthly wisdom rather than God's wisdom
(following the world's way of thinking, rather than the principles of God as revealed in His Word)
Our wisdom is revealed by our behavior!
Are we sowing peace or discord?
At Home, at Work, at Church?
James 3:13 – "Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom"
INVITATION
12 True Wisdom – James 3:13-18 I. THE “WISE” MAN II. “EARTHLY” WISDOM III. “HEAVENLY” WISDOM
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