Fruitful Wisdom

Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones, who were "on the outs" over a very trivial matter. This deeply concerned Deacon Brown, so he prayed that he might be a peacemaker.

He called on Smith and asked, "What do you think of Jones?"

"He's the meanest crank in the neighborhood!"

"But," said Brown, "you have to admit that he's very kind to his family."

The next day Brown went to Jones and inquired, "Do you know what Smith said about you?"

"No, but I can imagine how that scamp would lie about me!"

"This may surprise you, but he said you're very kind to your family."

"What! Did Smith say that?"

"Yes, he did."

"Well, if you hadn't told me, I wouldn't believe it."

"What do you think of Smith?" asked Deacon Brown.

"Truthfully, I believe he's a lowdown scalawag, but you have to admit that he's very honest in business."

"Yes, there's no getting around that; in business he's a man you can trust."

The next day Brother Brown called on Smith again. "You know what Jones said about you? He claims you're a fellow that really can be trusted in business, and that you're scrupulously honest."

"You mean it?"

"Yes, I do," said Brown.

"Well of all things," replied Smith with a happy smile.

The next Sunday the former "enemies" nodded to each other. Brown continued his "meddling" until the next annual business meeting of the church when Smith and Jones shook hands and finally voted on the same side!

Tonight we finish our study on heaven sent wisdom. We find that God’s wisdom is quite a contrast from the wisdom that is from below.

James 3:13–18 KJV

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 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. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

The final verse goes back to the heart of the matter… peace not conflict. Peace, not strife.

The Fruit of Righteousness.

James 3:18 (KJV)

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Origin determines outcome. Worldly wisdom will produce worldly results; spiritual wisdom will give spiritual results.11 Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 365). Victor Books.

James 1:20 KJV

For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

Proverbs 11:18 KJV

The wicked worketh a deceitful work: But to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

Proverbs 11:28 KJV

He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: But the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

Proverbs 11:30 KJV

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; And he that winneth souls is wise.

James returned to that word, fruit. There is a vast difference between man-made results and God-given fruit. Fruit is the product of life, and fruit has in it the seeds for more fruit. Usually it is the seed that is sown, but here it is the fruit that is sown. As we share the fruit of God with others, they are fed and satisfied, and they in turn bear fruit.

The Christian life is a life of sowing and reaping. For that matter, every life is a life of sowing and reaping, and we reap just what we sow. The Christian who obeys God’s wisdom sows righteousness, not sin; he sows peace, not war. The life we live enables the Lord to bring righteousness and peace into the lives of others.

What we are is what we live, and what we live is what we sow. What we sow determines what we reap. If we live in God’s wisdom, we sow righteousness and peace, and we reap God’s blessing. If we live in man’s worldly wisdom, we sow sin and war, and we reap “confusion and every evil work.1

1 Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 366). Victor Books.

Is Sown In Peace

James 3:18 (KJV)

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Hosea 10:12 KJV

Sow to yourselves in righteousness, Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground: For it is time to seek the Lord, Till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

Galatians 6:7–8 KJV

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Sown By Peacemakers

James 3:18 (KJV)

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Matthew 5:9 KJV

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.