Walking in Wisdom (2)

Time To Grow Up Walking in Wisdom James 1:5-12 September 14th, 2025 Last week we  kicked off a powerful new series called “Time to Grow Up”, grounded in the wisdom-packed letter of James. This is more than a study; it’s a call to spiritual maturity. As we embrace the broader ministry theme “Time to Build,” the focus is on building our spiritual lives.   Through the “Hupo Mene” mindset, learning to “remain under” pressure without quitting, we discovered that endurance under trial leads to completeness and spiritual strength. The study challenged how we interpret hardship and push us to trust that God uses trials as the launchpad for our next level of spiritual growth.

Let’s pray: Intro: An eagle is brought to the top of the tallest building in the world the Burj Khalifa, located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Dubai is over ten times larger than Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, It’s a large city, skyscrapers a very large metropolis. So its trainer puts the eagle up on this sky scraper then goes and stands in a park many blocks away, many stories away in this random park in this great metropolitan city.  They attach a “go pro” of sorts so they can see where it is going.  They attach a piece of meat on its trainers gloved hand. A glove that a bird is supposed to find in this vast metropolitan city. And then they release the eagle…(Start Video) How will this bird find its way? You can see it looking around, think of all of the distractions. But it’s looking for one thing.  And the instant it sees its master, it tucks in its wings and zooms down.   Watch this…. What a great analogy for how to find wisdom in a distracting world. The eagle was not distracted by oh look there, it’s a mouse, it’s another bird.  It was looking for one thing.  IT'S MASTER! With your eyes focused on your master and your savior He promises you will acquire wisdom.

Today James informs us find out how to find wisdom for the BIG and SMALL decisions you must make during your life.  Walking In Wisdom requires learning a brand-new way of thinking and making decisions...God's way!

( pg 654)  [5] If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. [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. [7] For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; [8] he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

[9] Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, [10] and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. [11] For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also, will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

There is two groups of people here today: The world would divide us in different ways. 

1. Based on our education

2. Based on our economic status

3. Social Background

I am here to tell you that God’s word divides us this way. the Wise and the Foolish.

Proverbs 4:5-7: Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. 6 Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. 7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. Wisdom is attained.  It does not come naturaly.God won’t tell is to ask for something if we naturally had it. Why does God tell us to get wisdom?  Because circumstances in life demands it, knowledge is not enough. There are problems that you will face, there are challenges that you will face, there are circumstances that confront all of us. That needs something more than what knowledge can provide. Have you been in a situation where you realize that not enough books smarts or street smarts is going to help me with this, I need wisdom from above.That’s why God says get wisdom because wisdom is supreme.  We live in a world that has deified education/. Nothing wrong with getting knowledge and education. I like smart people especially if they are going to operate on me.  Or fly a plane I’m riding on. Knowledge is not the solution to everything in life. So while we tout education/ we’ve made knowledge the premium. Having a good education has made a lot of difference in a lot of people’s life. But we can’t dismiss the importance of wisdom. Knowledge:  Accumulation of wisdom Understanding: Is the interpretation Wisdom: Is the application

I know a lot of people who have a lot of knowledge, they can interpret it well, but they don’t have a clue how to apply it. You ever ran into people who are brilliant, they have a lot of letters after their names, but they can’t tie their shoe laces. So a lot of people get the info, regurgitate it but they can’t apply it.  And to apply it we need wisdom from above. How do we get wisdom? James says…

1.  Ask for wisdom  (5)  [5] If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

A perfect example of this comes from Solomon, who recognized his need for wisdom as Israel’s new king, and asked God for it. In 1 Kings 3:12 God says – Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.

Unfortunately, God is often the last place we turn

We look for wisdom in self-help books

We talk to our friends, our family.

We talk to people who spout unbiblical platitudes and tired clichés

We go to those who falsely promise wisdom by delivering you from your supposed demons.

We got to every Tom, Dick, and Harry we can find, except for God.

Asking him for wisdom is often our last resort, instead of our first – stop that.  When decisions are difficult or times are uncertain – get on your knees, first and ask for wisdom from God . . Pray daily and ask God for wisdom!

Vs 5 says Who gives generously to all without reproach.

Who gives abundantly to all – God is not a respecter of persons.

Without reproach – without a reprimand. God won’t chide you for not having Wisdom; He won’t scold you for not asking sooner.  God never encounters divine irritation, like “I gave you a head why don’t you use it?” [5] If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. To the one who asks for wisdom, it will be given him (5b) – it’s a promise!

But you have to . . .

(2) ASK IN FAITH  (6a) [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.

Let him ask in faith – believing that God hears, and that he will respond.

Believing that God will supply all your needs according to His riches (Phil 4:19)

When decisions are difficult, ask for wisdom, but ask in faith.

Problem is, faith is such a messed-up concept these days, we don’t have a clue what it is.   Sometimes it’s referred to as a religion – Do you have faith?  Some would say that the object of your faith doesn’t matter, as long as there is one.  It doesn’t really matter whether you trust Mohamed, Buddha, Karma, or Jesus.  As long as you have faith in something; and it works for you.

But that’s not biblical faith – biblical faith is . . .

Believing the Word of God and acting upon it no matter how I feel, confident that God promises a good result.

It’s believing that when the Bible says God will give you wisdom – he will give it.

Let him ask in faith – believing that God hears, and that he will respond.

Ask in faith and

(3) DO NOT DOUBT  (6b -8) [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.

It says “Let him ask in faith, with no doubting.” With no uncertainty or disbelief or hesitation.

Then, as if that’s not enough, he launches into a diatribe against doubters.

To make sure we get it, James cites 4 main characteristics of a doubter:

1. He’s unsettled

6b – the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

 Boaters call that choppy – when the water is roiling and boiling.

And the waves lack any consistent pattern, texture, shape, or intensity. Have you ever gone to one of those games when they—keep this [beach ball] up.  Keep this up.  Ready?  Don’t let it fall! This is a skilled church.  Back here | Send it forward.  Are we that good?  Amazing.  Nice.  Okay.  A lot of you are like that. How much control did the beach ball have over where it went?

Because if you doubt, you’re just “…like a wave of the sea that is driven…”  **You’ve got no more control over where your life’s going than that beach ball has.  

2. He’s presumptuous [7] For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;

A doubting person is one who is NOT completely convinced that God’s way is best, and yet expects the same blessing of wisdom.

That’s the kind of bold, presumptuous attitude that James addresses here.

It’s like the doubter is saying – “Hey God, I don’t really believe you, or even think you’re capable of getting me through this situation– but just in case, “bring it on” That’s presumptuous! That person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.

3. He’s double-minded [8] he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

One who wants the best of God when they’re in trouble, and the worst of the world when they’re not.

They walk on both sides of the proverbial fence.

Despite the façade, deep down they’re conflicted, especially when decisions are difficult.

Living one way in one situation, and the opposite in the next.

If he’s smooth enough, maybe nobody will notice the incongruity of his life.

Today we might call him “Two-Faced”

That’s a double-minded man, characteristic of a doubter. *Sweet talkers. Charmers. Conmen.

4. He’s unpredictable

8b – unstable in all his ways

Unstable – a word that was commonly used to refer to the effects of a violent storm.

That’s a doubter – where the hard times of life leave him unpredictable/unstable.

You have no idea what they’re going to do as they vacillate between truth and feelings from one moment to the next.

You have no idea what will set them off, or what the damage will be.

They’re unstable and unpredictable in all their ways – affecting their whole life.  Unsettled, presumptuous, double-minded, and unpredictable

That’s not a pretty picture - And God won’t bless that person with wisdom because they won’t use it for his glory, if  they use it at all. When decisions are difficult, dispense with doubt so that you can ask in faith.

GET SOME PERSPECTIVE (9-12) [9] Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, [10] and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. [11] For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also, will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

This is more of James’ stream of thought here.

Whether it’s trials, Wisdom, or life in general – your perspective makes all the difference.

He starts with the lowly brother in v9 – Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation.

James is speaking of a legitimate form of pride that even the most destitute Christian should have because they know Jesus. . .

Because he has a privileged place at God’s side, An exalted position at his table.

He may be considered the scum of the earth and the dregs of society, but in God’s eyes, he is exalted.

He may be hungry for food, but he has the bread of life.

He may be thirsty for drink, but he has living water

He may be poor in this life, but he has riches in the next

He may be cast aside by men, but he’s adopted by God

He may be homeless here, but he has a place in heaven

I don’t know about you, but that’s something to boast about.

[10] and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. [11] For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also, will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

Verses 10-11 contrast the rich and the poor believer. The "rich" are urged to take pride in their humility because their earthly wealth is temporary like a flower that fades. This means that a rich Christian should not find their identity in their riches but in their eternal standing before God. That’s Wisdom!! The rich and poor alike should boast in their spiritual status rather than worldly status, recognizing the fleeting nature of earthly life.

If you’re rich, don’t wait for God to take it away before you “get it”

If you’re poor, don’t wait for God to bless you, before you “see it”

Rich or poor – get some perspective in life, God’s perspective!

With this verse James returns to the opening topic of the paragraph: trials. 

12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

The crown of Life is kingdom victory as a result of passing the test. Everyone is looking for a blessing.  Unfortunately, what they often mean by blessing is a car, a house, a mate, a job or a raise.  A true blessing however is a God given capacity to experience Joy and extend his goodness in life.

James encourages the believer in this verse to endure trials faithfully (Hupo Mene – Remain Under) so that we might receive the reward that God has promised.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, Who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

The way to WALK IN WISDOM is to:  Ask for wisdom | Ask in faith | Do not doubt | Get the proper perspective.