Worldly or Heavenly? You Must Choose Wisely
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Introduction
Introduction
We will define wisdom as the application of biblical truth to life. In order to test your understanding of our definition, I will pose a scenario. Your friend introduces you to a man that is supposed to be wise in the Scriptures. You meet him and find he is able to quote a lot Scripture by heart, he can clearly explain justification by faith alone, he believes in the Trinity, he can tell you all about the Reformation, he believes baptism in by immersion and he is very eloquent in his speech. Do you know enough to tell is he is wise? No! As you get to know him better, you discover that he has not worked in 12 years though he is able, he is a moocher, he is physically abusive to his wife and children, he constantly looks at porn and brags about it, he will not commit to the local church, rarely attends worship services and he regularly gets drunk. Now do you know enough? Yes!
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.
PRAY
We are Commanded to Show Wisdom
We are Commanded to Show Wisdom
Who is wise and understanding among you? - James first asks his readers a question. If James were there with his readers I do not expect he would desire to see the raising of hands, or some great oration of philosophical understanding.
We know this to be true because of the commandment he gives to them. We know this by what he asks for in response. He requires action. He believes that wisdom and understanding will be found in conduct and in the way one acts. Ultimately in the way a person lives. Wisdom and understanding are applied sciences. They are not for the lab, they are for life. They are not merely for curriculum, the are for conduct. James continues with this thought.
By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. - Wisdom and understanding is shown by good (praiseworthy behavior, high quality) conduct. Let’s consider more about wisdom biblically.
Wisdom is defined in the following ways:
i. technical skill of the artisan (How do we know? Look at the work)
ii. the art of government
iii. simple cleverness
iv. the pursuit of a lifestyle of proper ethical conduct
Wisdom is the application of biblical truth to life. James tells us that this is not optional for us. We are show by our good conduct our works in the meekness of wisdom. The Greek word translated “show” is in the imperative mood. This is the language of command. By what we do we are exhibiting something about the wisdom we have. The maturing believer possesses a pursuit of God and godliness that manifest itself in a humble (meek) practice of applying God’s truth to his or her life.
Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. NIV.
12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
We Must Avoid Worldly Wisdom
We Must Avoid Worldly Wisdom
I think it is an importance observation that the world does has a form of wisdom. The world possesses a way of thinking, a way of understanding life, and a way of living. They are wicked, but they are real. They wicked, but they make sense to the lost and to the fallen flesh.
Worldly wisdom should be avoided, because it is false to the truth. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts - When one acts upon bitter jealousy, which is a resentful, envious attitude it is false to the truth.
15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
Peter Davids writes, “The problem is that zeal can easily become blind fanaticism, bitter strife, or a disguised form of rivalry and thus jealousy; the person sees himself as jealous for the truth, but God and others see the bitterness, rigidity, and personal pride which are far from the truth.”
When one acts upon selfish ambition, which is attitude of self-seeking or rivalry (Illustrate, sports rivalries). This is our desire to have our way without regard to how it impacts others. It produces factions, clics and splits. This is false to the truth.
James highlights the source of such actions, in your hearts.
23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
Do not boast and be false to the truth - Douglas Moo writes, “Some who pride themselves on their wisdom and understanding are displaying a jealous, bitter partisanship that is the antithesis of the humility produced by true wisdom.”
The implication is that these desires in the heart should drive the believers to humility, contrition, confession and repentance, not arrogance and living contrary to truth.
Worldly wisdom should be avoided, because it does not come from God. This is not the wisdom that come down from above. God is the source of true wisdom, but this is not from him.
It is earthly. In other words, its source is the world, which is fallen, rebellious, decaying and godless. It is limited to this present world.
It is unspiritual – It is natural. Does not possess the Spirit of God. It does not come from the Spirit of God. The Spirit that knows the mind of God does not produce worldly wisdom.
18 They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” 19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.
It is demonic – demon-like, evil as demons, It may have knowledge about God, but it does not submit to God.
Worldly wisdom should be avoided, because it does end in beauty. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. The wisdom of the world produces pain. James mentions two results or consequences of worldly wisdom.
Disorder – confusion, disturbance, instability (the dominion of therapy)
Every vile practice – all kinds of wretched actions, worthless deeds
We Will Pursue Heaven’s Wisdom
We Will Pursue Heaven’s Wisdom
We should seek the wisdom from above because is comes from God. It is divine, which means it is the best.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
We can determine the positive nature of these activities because they are demonstrated in the incarnation by Jesus. He is the demonstration of the wisdom of God and he always acted in a positive manner in every situation.
24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Pure – holy, blameless; innocent; there is no hidden agenda
Peaceable – peaceful; Is not always stirring up strife. Pursuing harmony
Gentle – kind; forbearing
Open to reason – compliant; willing to yield, approachable
Full of mercy – constantly preoccupied with helping others in need, compassion in action.
Full of good fruits – good outcomes, overflowing with excellent works or deeds
Impartial – unwavering, sometimes referring to treating others equally without favoritism.
Sincere – not hypocritical; not a play actor
We should seek the wisdom from above, because is produces blessing. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Harvest of righteousness - The fruit or product of this life is righteousness. Rightness. Right living. The good life.
Sown in peace by those who make peace -
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Warren Wiersbe writes concerning this verse: 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.”
17 And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.
Practical Application
Practical Application
Wisdom is known by the converted.
26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
Wisdom is known by the reverent.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!
Wisdom is known by the ones with the word in them.
9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 12 Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! 13 With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. 14 In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. 16 I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
Wisdom is known by the ones asking God for it.
12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Wisdom is known by those walking with the wise.
20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.