James, Part 3
Notes
Transcript
Going through
trials in a way that leads to joy-production requires wisdom.
If you
struggle to find joy in trials, it’s most likely a wisdom-deficiency.
Not merely a knowledge deficiency –you
can have a good idea of what should be done but can’t do it, certainly not consistently
–
or an experience deficiency – you’ve
been down this road before but can’t change direction.
These things, knowledge and experience,
along with proper perspective, contribute to wisdom, but they’re not in
themselves, wisdom.
Quite often, knowledge and experience
alone can stifle godly wisdom because it leads to pride.
Experience doesn’t automatically lead
to wisdom.
There are plenty of foolish old people,
and a number of genuinely young wise people –.
The saying on insanity is a thing
because many people keep making the same mistakes over and over because they are
not, or likely can not learn from them. They lack wisdom to gain knowledge from
it, evaluate different perspectives, and change course.
The only wisdom we see on display with
these kinds of people are from those who watch their repeated folly from the
outside and gain wisdom to do differently.
ILLUS: a
child that grows up in the home of folly (parents who continuously act
foolishly and put the family in jeopardy. Children who see this, turn to God
and determine to “break the curse of repeated foolishness”)
Our quest
then, is for wisdom that leads to joy-production.
First, what does godly, joy-producing
wisdom look like?
James gives it to us in James 3:14-16
14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice.
Who among you is wise and understanding?
By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness
that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter
envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth. 15 Such
wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For
where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil
practice.
Those who have godly wisdom are
humble and selfless – they think of themselves last, considering others as
more important than themselves (Phil. 2:3-4) because that is the attitude of Christ (Phil. 2:5)
So in James 3:17-18, he describes godly wisdom:
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.
17 But the
wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of
mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. 18 And
the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.
So, how do we get it? James’ answer
is surprising: Just ask.
Sounds
simple, but how many of you regularly, specifically ask God for it. Is it a
regular part of your prayer life?
We said last week that James was heavily
influenced by OT wisdom literature, which is full of instruction on wisdom
coming from God, and most importantly, Jesus’ own words in the Sermon on the
Mount:
Matthew 7:7-11 –
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 Who among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him.
“Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek,
and you will find. Knock, and the door[a] will be opened to you. 8 For
everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one
who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 Who among
you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or
if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If
you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how
much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him.”
5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.
James and Jesus based their confidence in asking
God for wisdom in the character of God.
God gives generously –
without reserve. In other words, without holding anything back.
God has given us “every
spiritual blessing” Ephesians
1:3
Ephesians 1:3 - God has given us “every spiritual
blessing”
Ephesians 1:7-7 - Lavished us
with abundant grace
1 Timothy 6:16 - Richly provides all things to
enjoy so we, in turn, should be generous
Romans 8:32 - He did not spare His own Son, how will he not graciously
give us all things.
2 Peter 1:3 - He gives us everything we need for
godliness
God gives without rebuke or reprimand;
reproach
Moo: “James makes clear, the believer should have
no hesitation in asking God for wisdom, as if God would scold us for not
already having all the wisdom we need.”
Calvin: “Since we see that the Lord does not so require
from us what is above our strength, but that he is ready to help us, provided we
ask, let us, therefore, learn whenever he commands anything, to ask of him the
power to perform it.”
God gives to all who ask
There are only two qualifications:
1.
A living relationship with God through Christ.
Colossians
2:3 – [In Christ] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
2.
Belief (James 1:6-8) – Belief is the basis for allanswered prayer.
6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord, 8 being double-minded and unstable in all his ways.
Required
for everything: Hebrews 11:6 – “Without faith, it’s impossible to please God…”
6 Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
What about “doubts”?
Doesn’t mean you can never
experience occasional doubts, but that you live consistently “single-minded”
and whole-hearted in a trust relationship with God.
Here’s what
James doesn’t tell us: exactly HOW God gives us wisdom.
Possible ways:
·
1. Situational wisdom: God may give wisdom immediately
after you ask to help in specific trials for yourself or others.
o
EX: I often have people come to me with
problems. I usually breathe a prayer in the moment asking for wisdom for that
circumstance.
§
Test: When this happens, who gets the credit?
Does it make you feel spiritually mature or puffed up, or humble that God would
use YOU to meet a need?
·
2. What is often called “wisdom beyond your
years”. It’s not based on circumstances, but simply a gift similar to
Solomon. God may bless someone with an ability to understand things that
normally wouldn’t be known according to that person’s stage of life.
o
Test of godly wisdom: Does this wisdom lead to pride
or is it grounded in humility?
o
Warning: out of balance can lead to bad counsel.
·
3. Trauma (one of the many kinds of various
trials). God will often use trauma caused by sin to bring about great
blessing in the survivor’s life. This can be great encouragement to someone who
has been through deeply painful experiences. God is bigger than your trauma and
can bring about great beauty from the ashes.
·
4. Time. Again, growing old doesn’t equate
wisdom, but if you’ve walked with the Lord and asked for wisdom throughout the
years, experience and knowledge will cumulatively lead to godly wisdom. This
seems to be the normal path God uses since it is often the experiences of
life that humble you, and teach you to listen more and talk less.
Because our spiritual growth is a work of God in us and our working out what He works in –
sanctification, there are some action steps; things we can do that are in keeping
with God’s word to nurture the wisdom God’s gives us.
Read up, pray up, and shut up:
1.
Read up - Regular intake of God’s Word –
a.
Psalm 14:1 – The fools says in his heart…
b.
Proverbs 9:10 – “The fear of the Lord is the
beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” The insight
comes through the Word of God.
c.
Matthew 4:4. Wise decisions are shaped by living out the Word of
God. God speaking into us.
2.
Pray up - Healthy prayer life – If you
believe that God will give you wisdom, submitting to Him every day asking for
wisdom for that day is essential. Luke 22:39
39 He went out and made his way as usual to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him.
3.
Shut up - Speak less, listen more – James 1:19 (more on this
subject in a couple of weeks.)
19 My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,
Conclusion:
H.B. Charles describes godly wisdom not as a spiritual
navigation system with turn-by-turn directions, [but] spiritual alertness to
see the potholes in the road [of life]…and respond in a way that does not ruin
your Christian witness, dishonor the Lord, or discourage other believers.”
I would add that as you learn to navigate
the potholes of the trials of life, you will come to see them for what they
are: opportunities for spiritual growth, honoring for God, and ever-increasing
joy!
But you have to ask!
