Two Kinds of Wisdom
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
This morning we are continuing our study in the book of James.
You may remember that the theme of James is “Practical Christian Living.” And over the past several weeks James has addressed:
Dealing with trials;
Accepting the position in which God has placed us;
Dealing with temptations;
Learning to be a good listener;
Being free of anger;
Learning to be a doer of the Word of God rather than a hearer of the Word;
Caring for those who can’t care for themselves;
Avoiding the pollution of the world.
We’ve learned that showing favoritism of any kind is sin;
Instead we are to love people unconditionally.
James continues to show us how faith and deeds work hand in hand! And concludes that one without the other is really useless.
Then last week James told us that teachers will receive a stricter judgment;
And he concluded this session by telling us that anyone who is able to control his tongue is a perfect person;
James warns the reader that Christians should use their tongues for praising God and nothing else.
Today, James is going to tell us that there are two kinds of wisdom.
Two Kinds of Wisdom
Two Kinds of Wisdom
In this section, James is going to look at the “the two kinds of wisdom.”
The first kind is the wisdom that comes from the world (v. 14-16).
The second type is the wisdom that comes from heaven (v. 17-18).
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
James begins with a question: “Who is wise and understanding among you?” In the previous passage, James talked about being a teacher. A true teacher of God should possess true wisdom (cf. v. 1) and should be able to control his/her speech (v. 2).
The truly wise person should demonstrate their wisdom in three ways:
By their good life (Gk. beautiful character, good conduct).
By there deeds (Gk. deeds, works, action).
By their humility (Gk. gentleness, mildness).
Wisdom of the World
Wisdom of the World
But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.
James has already established that wisdom is demonstrated by what comes out of our hearts. Worldly wisdom will have hearts that produce:
Bitter Envy (v. 14a; Gk. bitter--bitter, cruel; envy--envy, jealousy, eager rivalry, zealous imitation).
Selfish Ambition (v. 14b; Gk. selfish rivalry).
Boasting (v. 14c).
A denial of truth (v. 14d).
Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
This kind of wisdom is:
— Not from heaven (v. 15a).
— It is earthly (v. 15b).
— Unspiritual (v. 15c).
— Demonic (v. 15d).
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
— Filled with envy--wanting what other have (v. 16a).
— Selfish ambition--wanting to build a name for yourself, no matter who you hurt in the process (v. 16b).
— Disordered or chaotic (v. 16c).
— Filled with every evil practice (v. 16d).
QUESTION: How many of these characteristics are visible in my life?
When I display these characteristics, I have to wonder where my wisdom is actually coming from.
Heavenly Wisdom
Heavenly Wisdom
James is now going to show how heavenly wisdom is different from worldly wisdom.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Wisdom from Heaven should be:
— Pure (Gk. holy, innocent, ceremonially clean; v. 17a).
— Peace-loving (Gk. peaceful, ready for peace, free from worry; v. 17b).
— Considerate (Gk. gentleness, graciousness, forbearing, kindness, ready to forgive, reasonable, fair, mildness, tolerant; v.17c).
— Submissive (Gk. obedient, open to reason, compliant, under control; v. 17d).
— Full of mercy (Gk. compassion, pity, favor; v. 17e).
— Full of good fruit (Gk. fruit of the harvest; fruit of descendants; v. 17f).
— Impartial (Gk. nonjudgmental, without prejudice, without favoritism; v. 17g).
— Sincere (Gk. without hypocrisy, genuine, without pretense, real; v. 17h).
Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
— Peacemakers (Gk. those who make peace; v. 18a).
— A sower of peace (v. 18b).
— One who reaps righteousness (v. 18c)
Verse 18 really is emphasizing the fact that the teacher of God’s Word must present it in peace. Presenting it with words or attitudes that antagonize people will not produce the righteousness that God desires (cf. 1:20).
because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
God calls us to lovingly present His message to the people He brings our way (cf. 2 Tim. 2:24-26).
And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,
and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
QUESTION: How many of these characteristics are visible in your life?
So What?
So What?
Two kinds of wisdom. One wisdom comes from the world, the other wisdom comes from God.
The world’s wisdom is filled with bitterness, selfish ambition, boastful, earthly, unspiritual and even demonic.
Then there is God’s wisdom that is filled with purity, is peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. God’s wisdom creates people who become peacemakers and reap peace.
So which wisdom influences your life?
