James: Wisdom For Real Life

Foolproof Planning

We are going to talk about James 1:5 and the application of wisdom. Last week we talked about the importance in maturity and there are two things that separate us from toddlers other than physical size and body hair. Wisdom and Knowledge. These are the things that just come with age, but they are vastly different. I know a lot of very knowledgeable people who lack wisdom.

Knowledge is the ability to take things apart, while wisdom is the ability to put things together. Wisdom is the right use of knowledge.

Knowledge is information and wisdom is application.

Here’s the beauty of it. God desires for us lack neither wisdom or knowledge.

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 there are two main hurdles to these verse

You have to acknowledge you don’t have something- which is hard for some people.

You have to ask in faith-which is hard for some people.

Why is this important?

Wisdom- Greek- Sophia- Involves the practice applicaiton of knowledge, discernment in making decisions, and understanding God’s will in your daily life.

These are questions I get asked all the time and is free information God actually wants to give you.

What am I to do in this situation? What is God’s will for my life? How is God going to turn this into good?

Proverbs 2:6 ESV

6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

God gives us wisdom. His desire for us is to be wise. Here’s the issue—

Proverbs 2:5–6 ESV

5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

In order to get God’s wisdom we sometimes have to put aside our desires. There are times in my life where I know I should do something even though I don’t want to do something.

Also this requires relationship with God. If you lack wisdom it will be given

Ephesians tells us how to get the wisdom in Paul’s prayer.

Ephesians 1:17 ESV

17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,

Prayer is key.

Jeremiah 33:3 ESV

3 Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

The Foundation to Receiving Wisdom is: Relational Trust

You have to trust the one you are getting the information from. You have to trust that He doesn’t want to hurt you. You have to trust tha the has your best interest at heart. You have to trust that he will answer you.

James 1:6 ESV

6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

Faith-Greek- Pistis- trust, confidence, faith, belief

Trusting in God’s Character and promises, believing that he will respond according to His will and goodness.

The greatest enemy to answered prayer is unbelief

Because the bible tells us to come expecting good things because God is good.

When you come question if God will the real question becomes

Do I really trust God?

If his answer is yes, or the wisdom given Do I trust him that it’’’ turn out the way he says it will

If the answer is no will I trust him that although I might understand his reasoning I know that he has my best interest at heart.

James likened this to be tossed around by the waves. I don’t know if you ever been tossed around by a physical wave. I have and it hurts. Then I found out that waves like to carry nasty suprises like surfing sharks and whales that can eat you.

So spiritually you’re being tossed around and the reality is that this tossing opens you up various spirits and such that desire to torment you. The spirit of doubt, fear, or anxiety can be grippling spirits that start as unbelief, but when fed turn into these giants.

But the entire verse is a promise. That if you trust God He will give you the answer you seek and he will give the wisdom of how to walk out that answer.

Trusting God brings stability to an unstable situation

So the take away is this:

Stabilize your life—trust in God