Overcorrection Is Needed

Intro - Overcorrecting

Cars - turn right to turn left

PA turnpike icy truck spinout story

James is addressing a number of disconnects, some are interconnected.

Persecution vs giving up

What we hear vs what we do

Saved by faith vs saved by works

Partiality vs seeing all people equal

Being one who teaches others vs living out what one teaches - taming the tongue

Wisdom that enables Godly living vs selfishness that leads to ungodly living - you are here

Context of James 3:16 - 4:6

Starts at James 3:1–2 “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.”

Zooms in at James 3:13.

“So you you think you’re wise and understanding, huh?” Those who are wise (knowledge in action)

Difference between knowledge and wisdom.

Different spiritual gifts.

James told the readers to ask for wisdom, this wisdom that comes from above

The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament 4678. σοφία sophía

Sophía stands for divine wisdom, the ability to regulate one’s relationship with God, and is distinct from phrónēsis (5428), prudence, the ability to know and deal with people

and understanding - more or less a “scientist” Opposite is someone who is unskilled and unlearned.

Remember, not many should be come teachers.

Need to understand the “meekness of wisdom” to understand the “jealousy and selfish ambition.”

Meekness, but not in a man’s outward behavior only, nor in his relations to his fellow man or his mere natural disposition. Rather, it is an inwrought grace of the soul, and the expressions of it are primarily toward God (James 1:21; 3:13; 1 Pet. 3:15; Sept.: Ps. 45:4). It is that attitude of spirit we accept God’s dealings with us as good and do not dispute or resist. Praǘtēs, according to Aristotle, is the middle standing between two extremes, getting angry without reason (orgilótēs [n.f.]), and not getting angry at all (aorgēsía [n.f.]). Therefore, praǘtēs is getting angry at the right time, in the right measure, and for the right reason. Praǘtēs is not readily expressed in Eng. (since the term “meekness” suggests weakness), but it is a condition of mind and heart which demonstrates gentleness, not in weakness, but in power. It is a balance born in strength of character. - Zodhiates, Spiros. The complete word study dictionary: New Testament 2000: n. pag. Print.

Why does wisdom need meekness?

Natural wisdom, let along plus God’s wisdom, can be and has been used to do some creatively bad things.

Wisdom can lead to arrogance.

Wisdom can lead to abuse of power over those who seek it.

When used in a Godly way under God’s influence, it can inspire jealousy in others.

James 3:16 - 4:6

The disconnect between acting in wisdom and acting in selfishness.

Walk through it.

Audience is Jewish Christians living outside of Judea. Babylon and Middle East initially, North Africa, Roman world, possibly Ethiopia.

No one is above any of these things. When are we obeying a commandment? When we want to break it.

Wrap up

Talk about the intended transformational power of the Gospel.

Understand the need and concept of overcorrection. Intended to get you on the track, not across to the opposite extreme.

Need to be all in.

Grow beyond subculture to fully committed follower.

Galatians 2:20 into communion.