Be a Wise Man, Not as WISE GUY 3:13-18

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Intro:

James has been really been driving the point of Your Faith should be shown in your deeds, and also your words.

Empty dead Faith is work-less and worthless.
In this section we are going to talk about wisdom.
In this day in age, how often do we hear people talk about wisdom??
Rare. People want knowledge, money and power…wisdom is very seldom spoken of.
What is Wisdom?
Wisdom is the ability to see things the way God sees them. (Making Godly choices)
Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise … There is no fool so great as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.
Charles Spurgeon
IN James n 3: 13-18 We see
Two Kinds of Wisdom: Godly and Evil
Our world would so quickly to jump into “being enlightened” but we see that is not wisdom...
Prayer
I. James 3:13
James 3:13 NIV
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
This question is posed in part because I think many people say that they are both wise and understanding.
We have seen multiple times that James has pointed out people can believe something and be deceiving even themselves.
James is saying how put into practice wisdom and understanding who is wise and understanding.
By their good life
-James 2 Tells us Faith without deeds is “Useless”
BY deeds done in Humility that comes in wisdom
James 4:6 NIV
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
The doorstep of the palace of wisdom is a humble sense of ignorance. Barbed Arrows, Page 280
Charles Spurgeon
II. James 3:14-16
James 3:14–16 NIV
But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
(verse 14)
1. Bitter Envy (many people desired to be teachers, “I can do better than them”
Proverbs 14:30 (NIV)
A heart at peace gives life to the body,
but envy rots the bones.
2. Selfish Ambition
Philippians 2:3–4 (NIV)
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Can’t help but Imagine a little Pharisee 2.0
To boast about wisdom when one is displaying jealousy and selfish ambition is, in effect, to give the lie to the truth about what wisdom is and does.
Douglas J. Moo
(Verse 15)
“Such ‘Wisdom’”
James I can tell has the air quotes talking...
The enemy will always to replicate and corrupt and pollute things we have from God.
Jingle All the Way “Turbo Man”
False Advertising
True Love-Hollywood love
Marriage
see here also,
Fake Wisdom - “not from Heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.”
(Verse 16)
For Where you have envy and selfish ambition.....
You find disorder and every evil practice
Philippians 2:3–4 (NIV)
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Think about our culture today…when someone is wronged or feels wrong…fighting for Justice
Is it typically done lovingly??
Disorder…not just on that grand stage but on smaller levels creates division.
2 Timothy 2:22–26 NIV
Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
(Verse 17)
MLK JR PLEDGE
Jesus is the example of perfect of wisdom in meekness
Romans 12:3–13 NIV
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Jewish People were facing real persecution…like being killed and arrested.
James is reminding them that wisdom should be pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit , impartial and sincere.
Peacemakers
Verse 13 is also translated to meekness.
Are we meek in our application of knowledge and decision making?
Who’s name are we promoting? Ours or God’s?
Are we doing things lovingly or to win an argument or prove a point.
We also should not be surprised when the world acts wordly…we are not called too judge them but to be be a light..
In the case of the confronting other believers…do so humbly , gently and lovingly.
Being a light and using wisdom! If you don’t have it, ask !!
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