James 3:13-18

v 13

Wisdom and Understanding/Knowledge pt 1

Same wisdom

James 1:5 NKJV

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Wisdom is good

“show by good conduct/behavior/life”

Wisdom is meek/humble

“deeds/works done in humility/meekness”

v 14-16

Pseudo-wisdom

v 14, Image of false wisdom

Wisdom is not envious

status, position, power, wealth

Wisdom is not self-seeking

status, position, power, wealth

Do not flaunt such “wisdom”

Do not profess that it exists

v 15, Reality

earthly

natural, of the world’s system

sensual

human (unspiritual), of the flesh

demonic

spiritually evil, of the devil

v 16, Effect

confusion

misleading

misrepresenting

every evil thing

corrupting

conforming (to the world, evil)

This is why we’re told to put away such things

Romans 13:13 NKJV

Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.

1 Corinthians 3:3 NKJV

for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

1 Corinthians 13:4 NKJV

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

Galatians 5:21–26 NKJV

envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

(works of the flesh, warring against the Spirit)

Philippians 1:15 NKJV

Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill:

1 Timothy 6:3–10 NKJV

If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Envy was the thing that cause the religious leaders to hand Jesus over, to plot against him

Matthew 27:18 NKJV

For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.

(Mark, “chief priests”)

And opposition the ministry of Paul and Barnabas

Acts 13:42–46 NKJV

So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.

which was the mystery of the church, salvation to the world

v 17-18

Wisdom pt 2

v17, Image of true wisdom

Pure

moral toward others and devoted to God

Right relationship with others but no relationship with God is not pure

Right relationship with God but not with others is not pure (love God whom you cannot see, hate your brother whom you can see)

Peaceable (peace-loving)

Righting wrongs, resolving conflict, reconciling relationships

Gentle (forbearing)

Not quick to wrath when offended, gracious

Willing to yield (submissive)

Conforming to the truth, being quick to to change

Full of mercy and good fruits

Caring, compassionate

Without partiality

unbiased, fair

Without hypocrisy

sincerely, wholeheartedly

Do what’s right

Make things right

Be gracious in wrongs

Be honest when wrong

Help those in need

...And do all this...

For anyone

In front of anyone (or no one at all)

v 18, Effect

righteousness

the fruit of the wisdom and love of God, not of man