Part 8: True Faith Has True Wisdom

Introduction

Today's Best Illustrations, Volumes 1-4 Humor: Wisdom from Dilbert

In his book The Dilbert Principle, Scott Adams offers his usual blend of sarcasm and irrefutable wisdom in “Dilbert’s Laws of Work”:

Don’t be irreplaceable. If you can’t be replaced, you can’t be promoted.

When you don’t know what to do, walk fast and look worried.

Everything can be filed under “miscellaneous.”

If you are good, you will be assigned all the work. If you are really good, you will get out of it.

If it wasn’t for the last moment, nothing would get done.

Keep your boss’s boss off your boss’s back.

Eat one live toad the first thing in the morning, and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.

1. True Faith Shows True Wisdom (3:13)

The Question: Who Has It? (v.13a)

James 3:13 NASB95

Who among you is wise and understanding?

“Wisdom” => “cleverness and skill for the purpose of practical action” [TDNT, vol VII, 476]

Clever = the knowledge to design in an effective and intelligent way

Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. To know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.

Charles Spurgeon

“Understanding” => “having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude” [Lexham Research Lexicon of the Greek NT]

One can have knowledge without having wisdom, but one cannot have wisdom without having knowledge.

R. C. Sproul

In the context of James, then, James is challenging those who claim to have wisdom and intelligence. “Who has it?” he is asking.

Very similar to James’ challenge to those who questioned back in James 2 that faith without works is dead. In that chapt, he had challenged, “You say you have true faith, then show it to me!” And, of course, the only way to show that one has faith is by his works.

James is doing something similar here. Some were claiming to have knowledge and wisdom, and so he quips:

The Test: Show Me (v.13b)

James 3:13 NASB95

Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.

Lit: “Let him show his works from good behavior in humility of wisdom.” What this means:

“show” = command = “show me!”

Connection here with James’ overall theme: Show me your wisdom by your works. The works here are good behavior--everything that has been discussed up to this point and including what will be said in vv.17-18.

But wisdom is more. See how he describes it as “humility of wisdom,” i.e., true wisdom is also displayed in humility.

The point: True faith has and shows true wisdom; true wisdom leads to good works and humility.

If you are knowledgeable and wise, then show me by your works and humility.

Application

Let’s begin with knowledge. We must have knowledge before we can have wisdom. Do we have knowledge of the Christian faith/Scripture?

George Barna, has detailed the biblical and theological illiteracy problem in the church. He has found that many professing Christians cannot identify more than two or three of the disciples; only 14% of born-again Christians can provide an accurate description of the Great Commission; and only 50% of Christians can recite John 3:16.[1]

The majority of evangelicals believe that Benjamin Franklin’s statement that “God helps those who help themselves” is found in the Bible.[2]

Barna has also found that about only half of evangelicals have a biblical worldview (i.e., know the basic, core teachings of Christianity). [3] Barna’s conclusion is that “American Christians are biblically illiterate.”[4]

[1]See the Barna Group website at http://www.barna.org. See also George Barna, Think Like Jesus (Nashville, TN: Integrity, 2003). See also Al Mohler, “The Scandal of Biblical Illiteracy,” October 14, 2005; internet, http://www.albertmohler.com/

2005/10/14/the-scandal-of-biblical-illiteracy-its-our-problem; accessed, 30 July 2012; Collin Hansen, “Why Johnny Can’t Read the Bible,” Christianity Today vol. 54, May 24, 2012; internet, http://www.christianitytoday.com/ ct/2010/may/25.38.html; accessed 30 July 2012.

[2]George Barna, The Second Coming of the Church (Nashville, TN: Word, 1998), 7.

[3]To see how Barna defines a biblical worldview, see “Most Adults Feel Accepted by God, But Lack a Biblical Worldview,” August 9, 2005; internet, http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5-barna-update/174-most-adults-feel-accepted-by-god-but-lack-a-biblical-worldview?q=preachers; accessed 5 July 2012.

[4]Quoted in Center for Bible Engagement, “Bible Literacy and Spiritual Growth: Survey Results,” November 2006, 1; internet, http://www.centerforbibleengagement.org/images/ stories/pdf/cbe_survey_results.pdf; accessed 30 July 2012.

“The greatest danger confronting American evangelical Christianity is the danger of anti-intellectualism.” [Charles Malik, “The Other Side of Evangelism,” Christianity Today, November 7, 1980, 40.]

Are we concerned about pursuing wisdom? The American church does not even have basic knowledge yet. Let’s get that right first.

But do we even desire knowledge?

The studies clearly indicate “No.” Our lives indicate “No.” Our actions indicate “No.” And because we do not pursue knowledge of God through His Word (which is the source of it), we do not have wisdom. We make foolish decisions, and then scratch our heads as to why our lives at times are such a mess.

Hosea spoke about this to Israel. In Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.”

Wisdom begins with knowledge. The two are intimately related and intertwined.

Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Proverbs 2:6 “For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

Ephesians 1:15–17 “For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.”

Colossians 1:9 “For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”

“Knowledge is the fruit of study, and knowledge is necessary for wisdom.” [J. P. Moreland;Dallas Willard. Love Your God with All Your Mind: The Role of Reason in the Life of the Soul (p. 53). Kindle Edition.]

2. Worldly Wisdom is Evil (3:14-16)

The Nature of Worldly Wisdom (v.14-15)

James 3:14–15 NASB95

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.

Notice where worldly wisdom comes from: our sinful selves.

Amplified Bible:

“But if you have bitter jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry, selfish ambition) in your hearts, do not pride yourselves on it and thus be in defiance of and false to the Truth.”

Again, what we see here is that which plays out in our lives comes from the sin within ourselves. In this case, bitter jealousy and selfish ambition display themselves as false wisdom.

Think of it this way: it’s like most YouTube videos about how to be healthier. They go into elaborate detail about what they know about the body and foods, etc., and then they give what appears to be some kind of practical wisdom to a healthy lifestyle. And then, at the end of the video, they ask you to subscribe or buy their book for a certain price to “get the rest of the story.” It’s called a scam. The so-called wise advice is driven by greed.

D. Moo:

The Letter of James B. True Wisdom Brings Peace (3:13–4:3)

To boast about wisdom when one is displaying jealousy and selfish ambition is, in effect, to give the lie to the truth about what wisdom is and does

James has harsh words for this so-called wisdom: earthly (from sinful world/man), natural (simply physical), demonic (not from God).

The Effects of Worldly Wisdom (v.16)

James 3:16 NASB95

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.

Worldly wisdom affects the church negatively. It brings disorder and evil.

Whenever people act selfishly and out of jealousy, there will always be disorder, disunity, griping, complaining, gossiping, etc.

Example: Corinthian church

2 Corinthians 12:20 “For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances;”

We can discern whether what claims to be knowledge and wisdom are in fact knowledge and wisdom by their effects. If it’s worldly, the results will always be evil, e.g., discord, disorder, and division.

Andy Griffith show - elixir - the effects of it

3. True Wisdom is Righteous (3:17-18)

The Nature of True Wisdom (v.17)

James 3:17 NASB95

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

“Pure” = chaste, holy

“Peaceable” = promotes a state of wholeness

“Gentle”

“Reasonable” = persuadable - willing and open to adopting another position, belief, or course of action (with sufficient reason or evidence)

“Full of mercy” and “good fruits”

“unwavering” = not divisive, contentious

“without hypocrisy”

The nature of true wisdom is unmistakable.

The Effect of True Wisdom (v.18)

James 3:18 NASB95

And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Those who have true wisdom sow peace, i.e., peace is the effect of those who have true heavenly wisdom.

And the effect of true wisdom is also righteousness: “whose fruit is righteousness.”

The Corinthian church had a problem with peace; it was a church of confusion, division, and dissension. Paul had to remind them:

1 Corinthians 14:33 “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.”

True faith seeks true wisdom which results in peace.

We are consistently reminded to seek and make peace:

Romans 8:6 “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.”

Romans 12:18 “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.”

Romans 14:19 “So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.”

Peace is even one of the fruit of the Spirit.

Application

If we consistently have division, conflict, and confusion with others, then it’s quite possible we are not living according to true wisdom. And if we are not living according to true wisdom, then we need to ask ourselves if we truly have faith in Christ.

Our world does not have peace. That much should be obvious.

Thomas Merton, , once wrote in his work “Peace and Protest”: “The human race today is like an alcoholic who knows that drink will destroy him and yet always has! ‘good reasons’ why he must continue drinking.”

Look at world politics, our country’s politics, social media, our families and friends. There is much faction, dissension, and division. This is the effect of false, worldly wisdom. These things ought not be so in the church. If there is one place that ought to be an example of true wisdom that leads to peace, it is the church.

Preaching Illustrations, Vol. 1 Never Too Old to Be Foolish (Colossians 3:8; James 1:20)

On March 2, 2004, police were summoned to the Spring Haven Retirement Community in Winter Haven, Florida. Lee Thoss, a 62-year-old resident of the retirement community got into a fight with another resident, 86-year-old William Hocker, after the older man accused him of handling the lettuce with his bare hands instead of tongs.

“This is the first time in 25 years I’ve ever heard of something like this happening,” said Jill Andrew, a Spring Haven spokeswoman.

Hocker told Thoss no one wanted to eat food he had been playing with. Thoss yelled and cursed at him, Hocker told police, and Hocker called him a child molester. Then, witnesses said, Thoss then began punching Hocker in the face.

Another resident, Allen Croft, 79, jumped in and was bitten on the arm by Thoss. The younger man’s mother, Arlene Thoss, who is in her 80s and also a resident, was cut in the arm as she tried to break up the melee.

Harry Griffin, 92, cut his head as he was knocked down when panicked elderly diners fled the brawl.

I wonder, sometimes, if the world sees the church like this retirement community. Do unbelievers see the church fighting foolishly--yelling and cussing—over things that do not matter, like how to handle lettuce?

Or do unbelievers see the church as a place of peace, a reflection of true wisdom and faith?

Galatians 6:10 “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to hose who are of the household of the faith.”