God's Wisdom vs. Earthly Wisdom
James • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Would you be prepared if gravity reversed itself? The only thing I can’t figure out is how to keep the change in my pockets. - Real Genius, Chris Knight
Towards the end of the last section - James 3:10–12 “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
James shifts from controlling one’s speech to wisdom. But this isn’t a massive leap.
The OT has many places that speak about the wisdom of quietness and how those who are often the loudest and forceful with their voice might not be the best examples.
We all have moments, remember, this describes character traits and patterns.
When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
We might say gas lighting or narcissism…
The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.
So the recipients were familiar with the the idea that the tongue’s action is a sign of wisdom, or a lack thereof.
Making this a natural transition in the text.
2 slides
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. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth.
Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.
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.
James starts this section off with a challenge!
Who is wise? Those who boast, or those who do?
True wisdom is lived out.
God’s wisdom shouldn’t simply enter the mind, it needs to go to the heart. But it can’t stop there! The heart is a pump! That which is there must move out and be lived out.
A romantic can’t help but be romantic. Angry person, angry. A godly person, Godly.
Our good works should be a natural out flowing of our living with the HS and our communing with God through Jesus.
And it should come in gentleness and meekness. That doesn’t mean you should be a pushover, but God’s wisdom shows us when to stand, and when to turn the other cheek. If we listen…
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
Don’t lie to yourself and try to mislead others…your actions tell what is inside you.
This doesn’t mean that ALL actions of someone looking with selfish ambition are bad, nor that someone living in godly wisdom never does anything wrong.
But our lives and actions tell us what lives inside us. What is holding our heart.
Patterns, not one time incidents.
Our natural inclination to think “I should get what I want” comes from the ruler of this world. (this wisdom is earthly, unspiritual, demonic)
in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
oof! Are we going back to our old ways? Or have we ever truly left them?
How are we working in God’s kingdom? How are you as an individual, your family, how is our church family?
We saw some great things during the need in the aftermath of the tornado. Our hearts and hands helped. Let’s not get complacent…
For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice.
God is not a god of chaos, He is a God of order
since God is not a God of disorder but of peace.
Are we striving for the unity and love that God is calling us to? Or are we easily angered when things don’t go our way?
Do we get upset when we get passed up for a position, or others are given the credit we think we deserve? Or are we excited to see others succeed?
Jesus was very clear, our unity should be the BEST testimony the church has! We need to not live in disorder, but in UNITY!
2 slides
“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
“I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.
Transition to what is Godly...
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense.
What an image of holiness!
Pure, loves peace (notice the lack of aggression here - God’s wisdom shouldn’t go attempt to cause anger or violence),
Even in conflict, those living in God’s wisdom are going to seek peaceful resolutions, try to deescalate, seek reconciliation and repentance.
Conflict happens, but how do we handle it and ourselves?
Gentle, compliant (the ESV says open to reason - not only listens but hears…and listens and hears God and responds accordingly).
Full of mercy - mercy towards others, even those outside the church, from other backgrounds (politically, socio-economically, age, cultural background…
Full of good fruits
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
I think most of us know the fruit of the Spirit, but it’s always a good reminder.
And on top of that, God gives His people gifts! Ways in which He wants each of us, as individuals, to serve the body of Christ and the rest of creation! These gifts should come out overflowing with the fruit of the Spirit.
back to James
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense.
James continues that this wisdom shows itself by being unwavering.
Built on a firm foundation!
Knowing God is also knowing that His thoughts and ways are above ours, and trusting that regardless of how we perceive the outcome, that following His will is ALWAYS the right thing and the best thing to do.
Without pretense - it’s not for what we get out of it, but because it’s from God.
Do you do things for others simply to bless them? Wanting nothing, not even a ‘thank you’ in return?
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.
We may call this emotional equity. Or…reputation.
Those who live a life striving for peace, the natural harvest that comes later is righteousness.
This doesn’t meant there will be NO conflict, no persecution, no problems.
This means that your effort and striving doesn’t go unnoticed.
James is literally saying that righteousness is a fruit (a spiritual fruit), and it’s a fruit that is grown by living a life striving for peace.
Longing to share and spread the shalom of God produces the fruit of righteousness.
How do you strive for peace?
How do you use your gifts from God?
How is the fruit of the Spirit seen in you and in your life?
How can we show God’s peace, God’s love, God’s wisdom throughout Rolla?
Seriously, let’s brainstorm that.
I am convinced that God is calling us to LOVE on this city.
We are right where we’re supposed to be, and the LORD is speaking to us, if we’re willing to listen and hear His voice.
Pray -
Father, thank you for your peace, your love, your righteousness. Thank you for being who you are. The God of creation, Jehovah-Jireh God, my provider, Jehovah-Rapha God, my healer, Jehova-Shalom God, my peace. Grant your children your wisdom, we beseech you. Show us your ways, give us your words, guide us into walking with our neighbors showing your love. Today is a day where it is even more true that they don’t care how much we know until they know how much we care. Overwhelm our hearts with your desire and your compassion. Let us see those around us through your eyes, and guide us with your Spirit how to bless those you put in our path. Empty us of our selfish desires and fill us with your will, your wisdom, and a need to see Your kingdom grow with every step of our feet. May our neighbors be unable to ignore the love and things that You are doing in and through Your Church, here at Central Community Church of God. Grant us shalom. Grant us your heavenly wisdom. And help us to share both of these to those around us.
And God’s church says - amen.
