James 3:13

Imagine that you are in a New York City subway station.

You will see trains come in and go out. But you'll only get a general view of what's going on. However, if you step inside the control room you'll see a large display with tiny lights representing each train in the entire system. s

Subway 1 -3 pic    In a glance you will be able to survey the entire situation through the eyes of those in control. You will see why one engine is signaled to a stop, why another has been diverted, and why another sits on a sidetrack.

Ji Packer comments:

The mistake that is commonly made is to suppose that this is an illustration of what God does when He bestows wisdom. God gives a person insight into the meaning and purpose of events going on around us. We then have the ability to see why God has done what He has

done in a particular case, and what He is going to do next.

People who think this is what wisdom is, imagine that if they walk close enough to God, they will be in God's command center and will understand everything that happens.

But God's wisdom doesn't work this way. God's wisdom is more like learning to drive a car. Car pic 1-3

When you drive a car it is important to make the right responses to the constantly changing scene. You have to judge how fast to go, how much distance to keep between you and the next car, when to put on the brakes. Drivers simply try to see and do the right thing in the actual situation that presents itself. Having wisdom from God does not mean we understand everything that is going on because of our superior knowledge...

It means we do the right thing as life comes along.

What it means to live in Gods wisdom as life comes along.. we must first realize what is

Wise

James 3:13a (ESV)

Who is wise and understanding among you?

So what is wisdom?

“knowing how to do, as well as the ability and capability to do.

Proverbs 11:14 (ESV)

14 Where there is no guidance, a people falls,     but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

So who is your counselor in life?

1 Corinthians 1:20-21,30 (ESV)

20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.

30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,

What it means to live in Gods wisdom as life comes along.. we must realize the

Council of the world is foolish

Dumb things I have done to impress the world

Bike jump..jump out of tree.. motorcycle jump

1 John 2:15-17 (ESV)

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

1 Corinthians 3:19-20 (NASB)

19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the sight of God. For it is written: “He is the one who catches the wise by their craftiness”; 20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are useless.”

Council of God is wise

Psalm 1:1-2

1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Are you to busy standing in the way of sinners that you are not listening to God?

Do you delight in his word more or sitting in the seat of facebook? Twitter? Politics?

Do you meditate on the word day and night?

Proverbs 8:34-35 (ESV)

34 Blessed is the one who listens to me,     watching daily at my gates,     waiting beside my doors. 35 For whoever finds me finds life     and obtains favor from the Lord,

Listen to God

Will you hear it or refuse it..

Matthew 4:4 (ESV)

4 But he answered, “It is written,

“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,     but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Oour very life comes from Gods word..

Watch

Giving your full attention to God and not taking your eyes of him.. Peter walking on water.. Keep your eyes on God as to not lose sight of his wisdom. Because the worlds wisdom will tell you that you will sink every time.

So focused on him

Wait

Patience .. God is doing a work and it might not be until Heaven that the purpose is revealed so wait.. He is good ..do you trust in it..

Amy the perfect hamburger.. well done.. even a little burnt on the outside..on the grill..

Isaiah 40:31 (NASB)

31 Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

How do we relate our wisdom to our life.. Faith in Action

What it means to live in Gods wisdom as life comes along.. we must put our

Wisdom in action

James 3:13b (ESV)

By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom

Another version says let him have a good conversation with his works..literally talk to others by your actions

Meekness of Wisdom

First james teaches how not to do this

James 3:14 (ESV)

14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.

Counterfeit wisdom

Things we think are wise but they are not

Bitter jealousy

(Envy)

Wanting something that is not rightfully yours

Being suspicious, resistant and given to rivalry

Matthew 13:15 (ESV)

15 For this people's heart has grown dull,     and with their ears they can barely hear,     and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes     and hear with their ears and understand with their heart     and turn, and I would heal them.’

Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)

5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Selfish ambition

The desire to be seen or noticed

Do not boast

In todays world we have created a whole new world around this.. Instagram

Romans 12:2 (ESV)

2 Do not be conformed to this world,[a] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Disorder and vile practices

James 3:15-16 (ESV)

15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

Again when we follow the councel of the world we are allowing satan to guide us. This is not God’s wisdom..

And we see it in our actions.. disorder and vile practices..

Jesus teaches…again this is a heart issue..

Matthew 15:13-20 (ESV)

3 He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. 14 Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” 15 But Peter said to him, “Explain the parable to us.” 16 And he said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? 18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”

If we call ourselves followers of Christ and allow our heart to produce these actions we are being false to the truth and following counterfeit wisdom

Imagine the goal is to build your dream home that would host people and you dream of moving in..

House pic

Train set pic

John the baptist…

John 3:30 (ESV)

30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

We make it about us we are building a false house..

What it means to live in Gods wisdom as life comes along.. we must seek and ask God for his Wisdom

God’s wisdom

James 1:17-18 (ESV)

17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

James 1:5 (ESV)

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

So these are the traits that flow from our hearts when God is our counselor….

Pure

No bitter jealousy.. no selfish ambition its all for Jesus..

Remember when john the Baptist said he must increase I decrease..it was also John who said I am not worthy to tie the sandals of Christ when it came to baptizing him..

Selfie with Jesus baptizing…

Pure motives.

Peaceable.. how do I bring peace and resolution to the conversation?

Gentle

Philippians 4:5

New American Standard Bible

5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. The Lord is near

Open to reason

This is the idea of being easily persuaded and being willing to yield when shown that one is in the wrong. Imagine! True wisdom means you can be shown where you are wrong!

Full of Mercy

true wisdom doesn't look down its nose toward those who are hurting because of their own foolishness, but is willing to help.

Good Fruits

it acts in compassion and meets the needs of others. It isn't all 'talk'; it actually brings about practical 'good'.

Impartial

"impartial". True wisdom will bend when it needs to; but it also knows when it must not bend. It acts from a clear-headed knowledge of what the essentials are; and it doesn't 'waver' on them.

Sincere

"sincere." There's no pretense to it. It doesn't try to be what it isn't.

1 Timothy 1:5 (ESV)

5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

Harvest is sown

We are brought together.

Matthew 5:3-12

English Standard Version

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons[a] of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

James 3:13-18 (ESV)

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.