James (2)

James 3:13–18 NASB95

Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Who among you is wise and understanding? good behavior (deeds).

Deut. 1:13 “‘Choose wise and discerning and experienced men from your tribes, and I will appoint them as your heads.’”

Deut. 4:6 ““So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’”

wisdom see the way God sees things and behave accordingly.

controlling your tongue James 3:1ff.

Faith and works James 2:14 - 26.

the one who doesn’t show partiality James 2:1-13.

visit orphans and widows James 1:27.

receives and does the word James 1:19-25.

view temptations correctly James 1:12-18.

sees trials correctly James 1:1-12.

gentleness - power under control not win every argument or battle d

cursing to tear others down it comes from the heart tongue speaks from the heart

lying - not representing God but ourselves

v. 15 earthly, natural demonic doesn't come from above

James 1:17 “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”

earthly - physical vs. spiritual

natural - sensual - contained in physical existence

Jude 19 “These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit.”

demonic - originating with demons and the demonic world

outcome - disorder - unsustainable (1:8) can’t build on that foundation 1 Cor. 14:33 “for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.”

note: he doesn’t say it comes up from below, it’s already here in the world 1 Jn. 5:18-19 “We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him. We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.”

take the wisdom from above and implant into our hearts and souls

pure - set apart unadulterated not polluted (word of God) can’t change add or takeaway from it

peaceful - then peaceful - harsh, I don’t care how I present God and his word, I’m just going to speak truth.

col. 4:6 “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.”

gentle - fair equitable

reasonable - submission to God rule

mercy -James 2:12-13 “So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.” we can’t get this wisdom by ourselves

good fruits James 3:13 “Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.”

Jonah - I know that you are a merciful God and you will forgive them.

Unwavering - impartial no distinctions consistent

hypocrisy - for real no false pretenses, nothing hidden -

fruit - righteousness - the right things of God and sown in peace that make peace. seeking to be peacemakers. peace with God and others leads to chapter 4.